Happenstance

YWB

2012-01-14T22:22:00.000-07:00

So last year was the YCB, aka the Year of the Classy Broad. If this does not ring any bells, you must be new to these parts, that's okay, we still like you...I think.

Anyway, last year involved being classy and doing classy things. There were trips abroad, drinking out of fancy glasses, looking great and being sassy, all of which contributed to a successful Year of the Classy Broad.

Now that classiness is ingrained into our very being, it is time to unveil the theme for 2012. I can sense your excitement....

2012 is the Year of Well-Being.

What do you mean that doesn't sound thrilling and nearly as cool as YCB? I assure you that YWB is going to be just as epic, if not more than YCB, not only because we still are classy broads, but because YWB encompasses SO much!

YWB means being happy, doing things that will make you happy for the long term, not merely the here and now. YWB means being healthy; physically, emotionally and spiritually. YWB means standing up for yourself and for those who cannot stand for themselves. YWB means committing to change, whatever change needs to occur, and not dragging your feet. YWB means loving yourself and those around you, it means looking past the scars, the crumpled edges and the smudges that everyone has, and seeing the person God sees. YWB means forgiving others, as well as forgiving yourself. YWB means being a positive influence.

So thank you for reading this. Thank you for being there for me, even though I still have a long way to go, hopefully YWB will bring about many improvements, I just want to say "Thank you" for loving the imperfect, delightfully flawed individual writing this.

Let the YWB begin!

Breaking in

2012-01-08T17:38:00.000-07:00

I got a call from an old friend yesterday, we'll call him Ben (because that's his name, and I believe in calling people by their rightful names). This is a friend from my Logan days, he lived at the apartment complex where we would always gather, chat, watch movies and play games, and recently brought me back a little Kangaroo figure from his trip to Australia. We used to talk quite a bit, generally with him calling me at random times when I was least expecting it.

So yesterday's call seemed very much in-character. At first I thought his call was an attempt to figure out a good location to potentially move to in Salt Lake, since he led out the conversation by asking if North Salt Lake or Millcreek (where I live) is closer to downtown Salt Lake. After answering his query, he threw out another one, "Do you have any wire hangers?". That's right folks, Ben was not looking into moving, he had locked himself out of his car. It turned out that I didn't have any wire hangers, so I told him to call his friend who lived in North Salt Lake (see the relevance?) and see if they had any, and if they didn't to call me back and I would figure something out to help him.

My phone rang again with fervor, and the news that his NSL friend also did not possess any wire hangers greeted my ears. Naturally, I endeavored to come to his aid, so I told him I would head his direction and try to get some help.

Well, after calling 8 different people, it was determined that NO ONE uses wire hangers anymore. So I attempted to get one from a dry cleaner's shop, unfortunately, all the ones I saw were closed already. I decided to go to the D.I. and see what I could find. Believe it or not, the closest thing I could find was a wire dish drying rack....yeah....so, 75 cents later, the drying rack and I made our way to Ben's location.

Embarrassed hello's were exchanged, and we set to work. It didn't take long to determine that the drying rack could not be ripped into pieces that would be long enough to reach the door lock, so I did the first thing that came to my mind, I called a few of my more manly guy friends, and asked them for any information they had about breaking into cars without ruining said vehicle.

A number of pleading phone calls later, AJ and Aaron came to Ben's rescue, bringing with them an actual wire hanger (they DO exist!) and a large box of tools. I was actually pretty thrilled to witness a car break-in, is that weird? It took a while, but they managed to get the car unlocked, and we all went our merry ways, happy that the issue had been resolved.

At least I know who to call when I lock myself out of a car!

Obligatory Christmas & New Years post

2012-01-01T11:08:00.000-07:00

The whirlwind of Christmas has come and gone, in truth, it didn't feel like Christmas this year to me. The lead up didn't swell with yuletide cheer, this is not to say that I did not participate in caroling, looking at Christmas lights, attending parties, wrapping gifts and the like, but it just didn't feel the same this year. Many people in my area attributed their own lack of the Christmas spirit to the lack of snow on the ground, but personally, I did not grow up with white Christmases, so for me, that excuse is invalid.

Either way, it came and it went. I traveled up to Logan for the holiday, and spent time with my family. We spent some of Christmas Eve at my aunt's house getting things organized and finished (she's been refinishing her basement for a while now), then spent the evening playing games and eating dinner at my grandparents house. My niece and nephew were particularly excitable this year, which was fun to see, and Christmas morning brought back all the memories of wonder and magic I felt as a child.

I returned from Logan, and immediately got sick. I somehow always get sick around holidays, or if I take a vacation, a bit rude if you ask me.

Because of this, I spent the bulk of New Years Eve on the couch with a blanket and pillow, and actually rang in the New Year in bed surrounded by tissues and Vicks Vapor Rub. Today seems to be looking up however, my fever is gone, I can breathe semi-normally, and my cough is not quite so irritating.

Here's to good health in 2012!

In the meantime

2011-12-15T21:21:00.000-07:00

I can always tell when things get busy, because the rate of my posts decreases substantially.
My most recent school term started on the first of October, just as most people are beginning to prepare for finals at typical universities...which also means that I am still doing school around the holidays...which also means that motivation is at an all time low.

In other news, I began working from home at the beginning of November. This has proven to be both a blessing and a curse, but I'm hoping that the blessings will outweigh the curses in the long run. It's still touch-and-go for the time being.

He's Baaaaack

2011-11-04T16:49:00.000-06:00

Yep, that's right, my not-so-little brother has returned from his mission.

I'm not going to lie, I was not prepared for the emotion that washed over me when I saw him coming down the escalator in the airport. I started crying, yeah, I know, that's not my thing, but it happened nonetheless.

I'll be interested to see how he jumps back into life...though judging from the party he went to the night he got back and was at til 1:00am, I think he'll transition fairly well.

Obliged

2011-10-28T22:34:00.000-06:00

This is an obligatory blog post so that I can have at least one more post than last month.
Petty and silly?
Probably.

Anyway, David come home from his mission on Monday. It seems insane to me that he is first of all, old enough to GO on a mission, let along come HOME from a mission.

I pushed the red button, and nothing happened...

2011-10-10T17:28:00.000-06:00

One post.

That is all.

The entire month.

I actually trolled around on blogger quite a bit last month too, I just didn't want to post anything.

Last month was less than fun for me. I was dealing with some pretty fun health problems, working a lot (I seem to use that as an excuse a lot...there's a reason for that), and trying to have a social life (sometimes I am even successful).
A new term for school has just started, and I plan to be a bit more dedicated than I was last term. Oh, and Paris is actually not going to happen...schedules didn't quite work out, so that's sad.

And because I'm not really in the mood to write anything witty or charming, I am going to bring this post to an end.

Hiatus

2011-09-10T21:27:00.000-06:00

I am taking a break from being on Facebook.
Frankly, I am just annoyed with the things that keep popping up on my newsfeed, the juvenile attitudes of some of the people I am friends with (sorry, had to say it), and I know I spend too much time flitting on an off of the site.
I'm thinking I'll stay off for the rest of the month. So I may miss out on a lot of social invitations, but I don't think I'll miss the ridiculous conversations I keep seeing pop up.

Paris

2011-08-31T17:32:00.000-06:00

So I realized, after mentioning it in my last post, and then skimming the posts from my most recent bouts of blogaciousness, that I have NOT actually said anything about Paris.

Well, I am here to rectify that situation.

Being that it is the Year of the Classy Broad (YCB), and knowing that Classy Broads (CBs) enjoy the finer things in life; stemware, fine china, traveling, bubbly drinks, smelly cheeses and all other things CB (actually, you can keep the smelly cheeses, I was just joking about that one), Kelly and I have decided that we are going to go to Paris.

Why?

Because we can.

Why spend New Years, cold and bored in Utah, when we can spend it cold and exhilarated in Paris? I think you can see our logic at work here. I would rather be cold in Paris, than cold in Utah, call me crazy.

So, that's what we're doing. We're Classy Broads doing Classy things, minus the smelly cheese.

Has anyone told you that you suck at this whole "blogging" thing?

2011-08-31T17:21:00.000-06:00

Yes, yes they have.
But at moments like that, put my fingers in my ears, look away from the mirror and say, "I can't hear you! La la la!"

Maturity at it's finest.

My life has been incredibly busy as of late.
I have been working ridiculous overtime (but hey, now I can pay for Paris!...have I mentioned Paris yet?), I have one final left to take during this term before my next one starts, I keep trying to convince myself to be more social (I've succeeded a little bit), I've gotten really good at putting off doing laundry (much to the chagrin of others I am sure..), and I can't manage to find time to cook or go grocery shopping....one may indirectly effect the other...

I keep trying to convince myself that summer isn't almost over, and that it's not the weather turning chilly at night, but my own horrible internal heating system acting up as usual, but I know that's not the answer...or at least, not the only answer.

That being said, I AM excited for Autumn. It is, after all, my favorite time of the year. I've gone over all of this before, so I will spare you the reasons for my love, just know that they are there and they are real. Yes indeed.

On another happy note, my fabulous cousin Stephanie is getting married on Friday, and I am so beyond happy for her, and her hubby-to-be, of course! I am so glad that she found an honorable, sweet, intelligent, fantastic individual who could see how amazing she is, and take her off the market. Congratulations to you both! ....but mostly to Steph because she's the one that reads this and I know and like her better :)

Eucalyptus Mint

2011-08-14T22:06:00.000-06:00

So, Bath & Body Works has this fragrance called Eucalyptus Mint.
It is supposed to help relieve stress (sure, why not?), and I love the smell.
I first bought it as a wallflower (a plug-in room air freshener), and after a while, I noticed that (to me at least) it smelled vaguely like men's cologne...uh..yum.
Over time, I came to really, really like the smell, and decided that even if I thought it smelled like a man's scent, I could still wear it. So I went out and bought the body spray...and the shampoo. I love it. And I get compliments on it, so I figure I can't smell too manly, right?

Numero Dos

2011-08-14T21:59:00.000-06:00

I may or may not be trying to make up for the fact that blogging has not been something I've wanted to do recently.

Maybe.

I have a had a lot going on recently, and I have already decided that July was a month I would rather forget about. There was a lot of stress, confusion, frustration, tears, and pain. There were some good things too, and those things I did try to blog about, but just in case there are any questions as to why my corner has been a little quieter, it's because I've been processing.

I'm trying to figure out what it is I want. There are things in life, that I see, and know I should want, maybe even things I have had in the past. Things that in and of themselves are good, but I'm not sure they're what I want. Man that was a titch cryptic. Let me see if I can put this another way...

Actually...never mind. I wrote out this whole long analogy involving puppies, and it was messy and I even got confused. So we're going to forget about that one.

I have such a hard time expressing myself and how I feel, what I think. I know what it is that I'm trying to say, but to actually put it in words sounds really...stupid. Whatever, I know what I mean. And that's all that matters anyway.

Visitors from across the pond

2011-08-14T21:45:00.000-06:00

The Vance family came for a visit!
Jonathan, Jenelle and their brood have been in Utah for about 2 weeks, and are flying back to Switzerland in the morning. I was grateful to be able to drive up to Logan on Friday after work, and spend some time with them until Saturday evening.

The girls have grown so much since I last saw them in March, it was amazing! They've gone from little toddlers to little ladies, they are taller, faster, wilder and they have added more words to their jabbering repertoire. Adorable.

We had a family picnic on Saturday, and all the kids had a blast playing at the park nearby. This park was seriously cool. There was everything a kid could want; various swings, slides, pole, monkey bars, ladders, cars, pyramids, misters, tables, lemonade stands, you name it, they had it.

I had forgotten what it was like trying to wrangle multiple children too. At one point, I was outside with the 5 kids, trying to keep them out of the pool, make sure they didn't pedal the bikes down the stairs, pull them in wagons, help them blow bubbles, make sure they didn't jump off things taller than they were, and protect the cat from bodily injury...the cat may be a little traumatized, but overall, it worked out well, even if it was a little tiring.

I am so glad that I got to see everyone again, and that I didn't have to endure a nauseating flight to do it...I'll leave that to the Vance's....though I don't think they get sick like I do. I'm special like that.

Guess I'll have to see when I can cross into the famous neutral-zone again...because frankly, I love it there.

Celestial Peace

2011-07-31T09:29:00.000-06:00

The Temple is an amazing place.

I went to the Temple twice last week, and I needed it both times.

Most recently, I went to the Provo Temple to support my lovely, talented, amazing friend Megan as she received her endowment, and I am so glad that I could be a part of her special day!

While there, I also received some spiritual guidance, and while the answer I received was not what I was hoping for, I feel so much better for having it, and it makes the whole situation so much easier to deal with. I love getting Celestial Peace about things.

It's here! It's here!

2011-07-25T17:08:00.000-06:00

I am kinda, sorta, almost better!

At least that's what I'm telling myself.

I actually feel a whole lot better...the only problem is, I still sound like I'm dying. Wracking cough and sniffles still make me sound like I should be in quarantine, but I feel fine! Yes, I'm still taking drugs to fix the aforementioned issues, but I promise, I am not dying. Yet.

I'm not sure what I did...

2011-07-19T10:45:00.000-06:00

...but it must have been bad.

Why else would I be nauseous for an entire week, and THEN get a ridiculously nasty cold?

Whatever it was, I sincerely apologize! Really! I do!

Here are a few things I am looking forward to when this disease is gone:

1. No longer sounding like Joan Rivers
2. Breathing (yeah...that one should probably be first)
3. Sleeping soundly through the night sounds fun
4. Not feeling guilty about sitting close to people
5. Not coughing, sniffling or sneezing through movies, conversations or just in general
6. Not having to tell people "If I shake your hand, or touch you in any way, you MAY want to sanitize yourself"
7. Not having to use Vacation Time as Sick Time....because this is really no vacation
8. Being able to enjoy food again...because it's a challenge right now
9. Laughing without having it quickly turn into coughing
10. Not being as whiny. Because let's face it...I get whiny when I'm sick

Here's hoping that all the Tylenol Cold, Sudafed, Ibuprofen and Airborne I have been consuming kills this thing off!

Ecstatic, Pleased as Punch, Simply Tickled!

2011-07-12T16:54:00.001-06:00

–noun

clearness or lucidity as to perception or understanding;freedom from indistinctness or ambiguity.

I've been praying about a few things for the past while, and I never seemed to get an answer. Not "I'm not getting the answer I want, so I'm going to continue to pester the Lord about it until I get the answer I think is best", that's not really my style, I simply wasn't getting any answer whatsoever! Not a "No", not a "Yes", not a "Let me think about it and I'll get back to you", nothing.

Then, I had a moment of clarity. I was trying to put everything in the Lord's hands. I wasn't going about this the right way, and I needed to fix that.

So I sat, and decided what I was going to do (all on my own, I know, how very grown up of me), and then, and only then, did I feel the Spirit tell me that my decision was correct.

I've had experiences like this before, so you would think I would have remembered that the Lord isn't going to hand me an answer without a little more effort than what I had been putting in.

But I am so happy right now, I could just burst!

Home again, home again, jiggity jig

2011-07-04T00:16:00.000-06:00

I am sitting on my couch.
In my living room.
In Salt Lake.

Not to be confused with...

Sitting on my camping chair.
In the sweltering heat.
In Moab.

That's right, I am BACK!

When we got to Moab, my madre and I set up our campsite, and then headed out into town to see the sights, and once we were done with that (which took approximately 40 minutes or so), we went back to our digs and spent the rest of the evening reading. Well, I should mention that a HUGE, ridiculous storm rose up in the late afternoon, wind blowing, rain pouring, the whole kit-and-caboodle. The mom set up her camping chair in the tent and read in there, while I secluded myself in the back of The Justy to dive into my tome (I might add that one of my new favorite places is the back of The Justy).

The next day we went into Arches National Park and drove around, then proceeded to hike up to Delicate Arch, which is quite a sight. There were people from all over the world in Arches, I heard German, French, Japanese, Danish, Italian, Hillbilly, you name it, it was there. Kinda cool. Another storm came up just as we finished our hike, and in an effort not to be struck by lightening, we headed back to camp until it passed. Frankly, I can't remember what we did for the rest of that day, I blame it on the Goldfish Brain.

The day after that, we went river rafting on the Colorado, and then later in the afternoon we went horseback riding. I hadn't been riding in more than 10 years, and it was something that my tohkes remembered immediately. My horse, Dooley, kept trying to eat the plants that were along the trail, and one of the guides pointed out that Dooley was just taking advantage of me, story of my life.

Saturday consisted of hiking in Devils Garden. Scrambling up and down slickrock fins and trying to avoid falling to a grisly death were on the menu, and it tasted pretty good, not gonna lie. Later, we went back into town, where I spent some time (and money) in a used bookstore (are you REALLY surprised?).

Today, or rather, yesterday, we drove up to see some dinosaur tracks (yes, I'm still a nerd) and other various rock formations theretofore not seen by our party, and then we went to Dead Horse Point to take in the view (no dead ponies were seen) before we headed back home.

I was hot, ~~sweaty~~ glistening, dirty, tired and yet completely satisfied.

But I am also really glad to be home.

Moab or Bust

2011-06-28T19:08:00.000-06:00

I am heading down to Moab tomorrow morning. Be jealous.

My mom and I are going to go camping down south for the next 6 days. There will be hiking, rafting, horseback riding, sunburning (because face it, it isn't really tanning), driving, exploring and all around vacation goodness.

This one time...

2011-06-28T18:56:00.000-06:00

...at the repair shop, I took in The Justy (as my car is affectionately called) for a routine oil change. What I didn't realize, was that in addition to watching more ESPN than I ever want to again, reading Good Housekeeping magazine and carefully avoiding eye contact with the guy sitting opposite me, was that I would also have the privilege of being informed that The Justy is having a couple of problems. Expensive problems.

One of said problems is that at least 2 of the tires need to be replaced, one more so than the other, but both need to be replaced.

Perfect timing! I mean, it's not like I'm going out of town or anythi....oh wait, that's right, I AM going out of town. Tomorrow.

Thankfully, the lovely Kelly was willing to bus me to and from the repair shop today so I could get 1 of the tires replaced. Yes, I am poor, so I only had them replace 1 of the tires. I have a feeling that before the summer is over, Burt Brothers will be able to afford a really nice display of tires from all the money I will be sending their way.

I guess it's better than in the days where people rode horses for their main mode of transport, when one of those died, you couldn't take it to a repair shop and get it working again. At least not easily.

Save the Drama for your Mama

2011-06-21T18:08:00.001-06:00

Drama
[drah-muh, dram-uh]
–noun

a composition in prose or verse presenting in dialogue orpantomime a story involving conflict or contrast of character,especially one intended to be acted on the stage; a play.

the branch of literature having such compositions as itssubject; dramatic art or representation.

the art dealing with the writing and production of plays.

That is the definition of "drama" that I have always known and understood. I have performed in numerous theatrical performances, and even took a "Playscript Analysis" course in college (I do not recommend that by the way). And while I have been immersed in the world of drama for a good portion of my life, I have been shocked to discover that I have recently been thrust into a seemingly alternate reality...the other world of drama.

Drama

[drah-muh, dram-uh]

–noun

A way of relating to the world in which a person consistently overreacts to or greatly exaggerates the importance of benign events.

Typically "drama" is used by people who are chronically bored or those who seek attention.

People who engage in "drama" will usually attempt to drag other people into their dramatic state, as a way of gaining attention or making their own lives more exciting.

Common warning signs/ risk factors of drama or a dramatic person are:

1. Having one supposedly serious problem after another.

2. Constantly telling other people about one's problems.

3. Extreme emotionality or frequently shifting, intense emotions.

4. Claiming to have experienced negative events that are highly implausible.

5. A boring job or mundane life.

6. Making claims without sufficient evidence or a lack of detail about supposedly serious events.

7. A pattern of irrational behavior and reactions to everyday problems.

Where'd you get that?

2011-06-20T16:58:00.000-06:00

I love reconnecting.
This afternoon, I got to spend some time with Heidi & Rumel while they were down in Salt Lake. We realized (well, actually, Heidi realized, because my memory is pretty shoddy) that we haven't actually, physically seen each other in almost a year. A whole year. This is completely unacceptable.
We met for lunch, and I'm glad I made the decision early in the day to just cut out of work early instead of going back, because we spent 3 hours catching up.
They're doing great, happily married up in Idaho, figuring their lives out. It is hard to believe that they have been married for 3 years now. I remember sitting up with Heidi, talking about boys and how stupid they are (some of the sentiment remains true), laughing together, going to activities, playing games, going shooting, driving around aimlessly and just being us. Sometimes it's hard to believe that it was all so long ago. I've lived in Salt Lake for 4 1/2 years. That's slightly more than half the time I've lived in Utah. And Heidi was there almost from the get-go (give or take 6 months at the beginning), we clicked pretty quickly, and a large part of who I am today is because of her influence.
She is a strong, courageous, intelligent, spiritual, talented and sassy individual, and I hope to someday have more of those qualities in my own repertoire.

Though I probably don't need any more sass.

Previously on "Yays and Nays"

2011-06-16T22:21:00.000-06:00

Yays

Absolutely GORGEOUS weather
Walking to work
Catching on at my new job
Reading in the park
Meeting new people
Human-Wheelbarrow races
Portable fans
Swimming
Seeing family
Laughing
Watching old childhood favorites
Making up recipes and having them work out
Being loved for my sassiness
Going to the Temple
Belting out random songs in my living room
Rereading good books
Having the shelf in the hall closet fixed
Staying up late talking to the roomie
Getting around to doing my science experiment
Listening to "oldies"
Making the tires on my car squeal
Seeing friends I haven't in a long time
The ever-adorable James and a lively game of Hi-Ho Cherry-O
Hugs from Lillian...even though she still can't decide if she likes me or not
Engagement stories (Congrats, Steph and Greg!)
Silly YouTube videos
Freshly cut grass
Doing classy, classy things

Nays

Getting flipped off
Having the key to my car get stuck in the lock
The park I normally go to getting flooded...majorly
Discovering that funny sensation on my arm is from a spider running across it
Rushing because I'm late to work, only to get there and discover I'm half an hour early
Having to go back and do my old job
Not knowing what is going on
Mosquito bites
Maple & Brown Sugar oatmeal
Being broke
Having to do my science experiment
A temperamental refrigerator
Perfect motorcycle weather, and no motorcycle
Being lonely
Bad accents
3 spiders in 2 days

Forever Plaid

2011-06-14T22:20:00.001-06:00

I went to see a play entitled "Forever Plaid" tonight.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with this particular play (which included me up until this evening), it centers around a little-known quartet from the 60's, who all die in a car accident the night of their first big performance. They then get a chance to come back to Earth to perform one last time, which is where we come in.

I have a friend who was playing one of the foursome, so I thought I would lend my support, and give myself a CB night all in one.

The play turned out to be one of the funniest things I have ever witnessed. The comedic timing was perfect, and the songs that they sang were amazing...and hilarious...amazingly hilarious. I was having a ball watching this group do their thing, walk into the audience, even dancing with a few people.

By the time intermission rolled around, I knew I had a favorite on my hands. I don't remember the last time I laughed so much during a play, and the second half was sure to be just as delightful as the first. They came back onstage, with a fun rendition of "Heart & Soul", and then began asking audience members if they knew how to play either the top-hand or the bottom-hand of the piece. There were a few people who raised their hands, and one eager gal was sitting right in front of me. I saw my friend Ricky coming through the crowd toward her, but to my dismay and Ricky's delight, he didn't choose my eager friend in front of me, but ME! The girl who had distinctly NOT raised her hand! I was summarily dragged on stage, and placed in front of the piano. Fortunately, I do happen to know this little ditty, and so I played along....and so did they.

I got my time in the spotlight with a lovely little bit of piano playing, a dance, awarding of a certificate and...plaid dental floss.

Each time I tried to make way back to my seat, they stopped me and gave me something else. It really was quite entertaining, I am sure.

Normally, things like that do not happen to me.

I also normally do my hair in the morning. (Today, I did not).

I also normally fix my make-up before I leave the house. (Today, I did not).

Let this be a lesson to me....You never know what's coming, so make sure you're prepared.

Top o' the Mornin'

2011-06-09T23:23:00.000-06:00

It's weird to think that this week is almost over....and that it's June.

So far this week, I have done 17 transfer evaluations, completed task 2-3 for school, went to the Temple, went to dinner with friends, watched silly YouTube videos-courtesy of my coworkers, had a few weird dreams, made some curry (which wasn't as good as normal, but I can work on it), got a tattoo (don't worry mom, it's stick-on), danced in the kitchen, got showtunes stuck in my head, saw beautiful sunsets, walked to work, laughed so hard I cried, started reading another book and organized part of my room.

Not too shabby if you ask me.

Still to come, I have one more day of work, a vocal audition, a movie in the park with friends, plant shopping and the hope of sleeping in.

I have been loving how gorgeous the weather has been for the most part recently. Admittedly, there have been a few times each day when I fear the weather has turned for the worst, but it generally clears up and the sun shines through. I love waking up with the sun streaming through my window and hearing the birds chirp (I just wish it didn't do it at 5:30 in the morning).

Happening now

2011-06-07T22:04:00.000-06:00

I have been in my new job for exactly one week today.

I am so much happier than I was in my old position! I'm catching on pretty well, and feel fairly confident that this will be a good fit for me for the next while.

On another, non-related note, I am almost done with my science class (woot)!

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

2011-05-31T18:17:00.000-06:00

Today was my last day in my current position at work. Big-fat-freaking YAY! I have been so ready to leave this position since the carrot was dangled in front of my face 8 months ago. Things haven't always been smooth with my transition, even this morning, I had to have a "discussion" with our IT department about getting everything squared away, which was probably less than thrilling for the poor sap on the other end of the phone, and then those that received my "friendly" e-mail which basically indicated that their lack of action for the last month was less than inspiring, and bordering on absurd.

But yay! I am no longer the team lead! I am no longer responsible for everything! A huge weight has been lifted, and it feels wonderful! Four exclamation points isn't excessive is it?

Now I just need to find the motivation to complete my science class, and then I'll really be celebrating. Alas, I can't seem to muster the desire to complete it. It's not that it's hard, I merely do. not. care. Which is bad. I had originally intended to have it completed by....uh...today, but I've pushed it out to mid-June for completion. But before you start tsk-ing at my lack of effort, keep in mind that this is the last class I have this term (unless I add more) and the term goes until the end of September (so I'm actually REALLY ahead of the game).

In other news, I need to do laundry.

Y'know what the difference between you and me is?

2011-05-29T11:23:00.000-06:00

Yesterday began with a quick hike up Ensign Peak, and ended with driving home from a wedding in a torrential downpour. What happened in between wasn't terribly thrilling, although I will admit I looked good. Yeah, that's right, I looked gooood.

I enjoy getting dolled up every now and again, more so than I used to. The reason for glamming up yesterday was the aforementioned wedding. And where there's a wedding, there's cute single guys, right? Yeah, that was my thinking too, but unfortunately, that philosophy wasn't quite accurate. So my foxiness was wasted....which is always a little sad. So I decided that I'm going to wear the same outfit today, so that the masses will not be disappointed. I'm so kind...

One-sided Conversations with My Gal Friday

2011-05-27T01:06:00.000-06:00

"Well Hello Friday!"

"Yes, I know it's 1:00am"

"You're right, I should probably be asleep..."

"But I was just so excited to see you and...."

"Okay...."

"Fine...."

"Yes, I'll go to bed now and call you back at a more reasonable hour...."

Blech

2011-05-26T09:26:00.000-06:00

It's been a titch boring here at work lately...and by lately, I mean yesterday and today. It feels much longer than that though. I'm transitioning to a new job next week, and in preparation for the move, things have been reorganized, and revamped (redundant, I know) to make the switch as smooth as possible. Because of this, I have nothing. to. do. I sit here, staring at my computer, sometimes checking Facebook, reading blogs and looking at recipes when I'm not pretending to work as the Provosts walk by my desk. It would be great if I could do something productive, like homework....but that seems a little too involved to be done covertly.

Why oh why must we be on top of things??

You know the one...

2011-05-25T20:31:00.000-06:00

So I'm sitting in my living room, listening to some music courtesy of my neighbors (which answers my previous wondering about whether they could hear me singing in the kitchen...resounding YES), and I realized that I actually knew the song!

I determined that it was the "Staring Song"...you know, the "Staring Song" right? Everyone knows the "Staring Song"...it's on the radio all the time. Okay, it's not ACTUALLY called the "Staring Song", and I should probably be ashamed to admit this, but I had to look it up.

It's "Stop & Stare" by OneRepublic.

If it had been "Stayin' Alive" by The BeeGee's I'd have been all over that!

Titles

2011-05-25T20:20:00.000-06:00

We all have different titles that we assume throughout life.
When we start, it's usually something along the lines of "Little Miss" (presuming you are female, that is).
Then it progresses gradually to "Miss", then to "Mrs." and maybe even the altogether confusing "Ms.".
I am currently a "Miss", sometimes a "Ma'am", rarely a "Madame" or "Mademoiselle" (is it just me or do these all start with "M"?).

There is however, a new title that I am striving to obtain.

That of "Domestic Goddess".

I have throughout my life had various spurts of domesticity, that never fully came to fruition, which is why I still have to practice in the art of culinary wizardry, and general craftiness. Thankfully, the "Cleaning Guru" in me has already taken up residence, and lies comfortably at the crook of my elbow. The arrival of the "Cleaning Guru" was something much anticipated by my parents as I grew up, owing to the fact that I detested cleaning, as was evidenced by my bedroom which constantly looked like a battlefield in which every article of clothing I owned had summarily surrendered, along with several other belongings. There was also the fact that my parents made (read: forced) us poor, sad, defenseless children to wash the dishes for a week (an entire week! That's like a lifetime!) rotating between the siblings living at home. You should have seen how we tried to get out of washing the dishes....there were tears, temper tantrums, backdoor deals went down like they were going out of style, and yet....the dishes remained, and my parents were not opposed to pulling us out of our warm beds and standing us in front of the sink full of dishes we had "forgotten" about and making us do them before we could go to bed. Ah...the good 'ole days! I think it was when I moved to Salt Lake and had to share a room and a small apartment that I realized the important lesson my parents tried to drill into their children...something akin to "Cleanliness is Next to Godliness"...or that it's really gross living with people who don't clean up after themselves, so you'd better clean up after yourself....something like that.

As far as cooking went, I think I was about 12 when I decided that I wanted to learn how to cook (and that desire didn't last very long if I recall correctly..), so I set about attempting to do so. I could blacken chicken really well (unintentionally, of course) and profess that that was how I preferred my poultry be cooked, I once made a peach cobbler which contained more salt than sugar, I do not recommend baking cupcakes at 500 degrees in an attempt to make them cook faster--coincidentally, I do not recommend putting said cupcakes in the oven right before you go to bed and promptly forget about them until you hear the smoke alarm going off to announce their demise, I could burn the rice at the bottom of the pot almost without fail. I did manage to make something edible once, Sweet & Sour sauce, which quickly became my "go to" recipe whenever the urge to cook would strike...looking back, I made it with so much vinegar, you could clear your sinuses quicker than a whistle.

Since that time, my technique has somewhat refined. I make killer pancakes, orange chicken, Chinese noodles, chicken coconut curry, I've been known to toss out some pasta on occasion, I can whip out a delicious pizza should the need arise, I've made humus, chicken puffs, spinach artichoke dip, chili, waffles and mashed potatoes (though once they were so horrible, it was like eating paste....roasted garlic paste). I still have some foibles in the kitchen, like the affectionately termed "Cow Pie Cookies", the Biscotti blunder of 2009 and countless attempts with Tofu, but I rarely give up entirely.

Which is why I am going in search of my new title with added gusto!
I have been perusing recipes, buying ingredients, and testing things out. On the menu for today was Chicken Tenders with Blackberry Mustard. I loved the Blackberry Mustard, I think it is very fun and quite tasty. The chicken fingers did not turn out quite as lovely as I had hoped, but altogether it wasn't a complete disaster, I will still eat the leftovers...

I bought a TON of fruit today. Blackberries, Raspberries, Strawberries and Blueberries, all sit on my kitchen table waiting...waiting to be made into something delicious. I am most excited about attempting to make tarts! I love tarts, I decided that since I'm not a big cake person (and I really dislike frosting) that I will have Wedding Tarts instead of Wedding Cake...I may have decided that just now....hope my future husband doesn't have his heart set on cake!

So there it is, I want the "Domestic Goddess" title. And I am going to get it...and who knows, maybe if my cooking is good enough, I may get another title because of it too.

Just kidding...about that last part, that is.

All you Nay Sayers...

2011-05-21T19:53:00.001-06:00

I don't care what anyone says.

I love Bob Hope.

I am probably driving my neighbors nuts

2011-05-21T11:24:00.000-06:00

I have been singing along to some CD's while hanging out in the kitchen...why in the kitchen? Well...you get better acoustics in the kitchen. And it happens to be where the CD player lives.

Now this might not be a problem if I were singing along with the likes of Frank Sinatra or The Beatles or even Creedence Clearwater Revival (yes, even them), but I am singing along with a Showtunes Accompaniment CD...meaning, it's just me...belting out showtunes...in a room that reverberates the sound. Awesome.

Puddle-Jumpers

2011-05-19T19:47:00.000-06:00

It has been raining. A LOT.

It reminds me of growing up in Washington, and frankly, makes me want to go back and see how everything has changed in the 8 years since I left. My beloved friend Amy and her husband Sam are blessing their baby Owen at the beginning of June, and I really would love to be able to just drive up and be there, but alas...I cannot. Silly responsibilities and whatnot.

Myself

2011-05-16T19:06:00.000-06:00

So...I reread this blog yesterday...Yes, THIS blog..the one YOU are reading.

And I must say that I am alarmed by the fact that nobody told me how awful it is! Seriously! I sound like a crazy person most of the time...what with all the "strong desire(s) to scream, punch someone or cry" (melodramatic much?) and then there's so many references to how stressed, tired and just plain worn out I am.

I'm not going to be one of those people who goes back and deletes posts (though some of them really deserve it), but I am just so shocked that there is more than one person who actively reads this. I appreciate your loyalty. Even though I'm crazy...and may punch something at any minute...or burst into tears.

Did you catch that? That was me. Making fun. Of myself.

Scritch-Scratch

2011-05-14T11:34:00.000-06:00

Now that the weather has taken a turn for the better, and the sun shines, birds chirp and squirrels scamper free, I decided it was time to bust out the hiking shoes.

After looking up a few hikes up Big Cottonwood canyon, I decided that hiking to Dog Lake would be my best bet. A decent length hike, not too strenuous for my first time back since the snows came, and still would give me plenty of time to do the rest of the things I have planned for today.

So I left the house at 8:30 and drove up to he trail head. Only to find it covered in snow. I couldn't see a trail to save my life, and there were 2 other individuals suffering from the same dilemma. Being me, I decided I would hike up a little bit and see if I could find the trail a little further on. Mind you, the snow that is all over the ground is about 2 feet deep (deeper in some places) and is incredibly crusty..which is handy for walking on when it's tightly packed, and scrapes your legs up like sandpaper when it isn't.

After scratching my legs up for a bit, I decided it would be better to just do a different hike and come back to Dog Lake when the snow is gone and the trail is visible.

The drive up the canyon was really pretty though, give me trees, rocks and waterfalls and I'm a happy camper!

Hazy Shade of Winter

2011-05-13T22:47:00.000-06:00

I think today worked out to being the shortest work-day I have put in up until now (barring sickness). I worked a grand total of an hour and a half. An hour and a half? Why? I'll tell you why....this person you know, who occasionally answers to the name of "Lisa", is crazy. She will work almost 15 hour days without realizing quite how that affects her schedule for the rest of the week. And while some people, given the option, would do that to ensure their weekend starts that much sooner, that is actually not why I do it.

While not (in my mind) technically a work-a-holic (there are many more things I would need to do in order to be classified that way), many people believe I have sunk into that classification.

I hate leaving a job unfinished, so if I can get things done on a certain day, I will! Even if it means staying at work for 15 hours...man...that does kinda sound a bit pathetic. But anyway, hopefully with my new job, my outlook will change a little bit since I won't be responsible for an entire department anymore, merely my own tasks (yay!).

Maybe this means I'll have more time to have a life...or do homework. Homework will probably win, I've heard that having a life is overrated.

Finally!

2011-05-10T23:09:00.000-06:00

When I got back from Switzerland in April, I decided that instead of just throwing all of my pictures onto Facebook and then editing them 6 months later, that I would edit them FIRST and THEN make them available for your viewing pleasure.

This has resulted in...no photos on Facebook. Until yesterday that is, when I decided that I didn't care anymore that all my photos hadn't been edited. Though I did only post those that have been edited, I realized that most people really don't care if I only put up a fraction of my photos (I've tried to refrain from posting everything I found interesting, and you would find not-so-interesting...like a plethora of doors and stairways I may have subjected you to last time...).

So, though I do still have plenty more photos that could be edited and posted, I feel good about the fact that it only took me a month and a half to get them out there.

Today...

2011-05-08T21:10:00.000-06:00

...slept in til 7:15...now THAT is a luxury!
...my antivirus software detected a whole lot of crap on my computer.
...called my mom to wish her a "Happy Mother's Day" and when my brother answered the phone, I had him help me figure out how to get rid of previously mentioned "crap on my computer".
...put off getting ready for the day until 11:30 or so.
...went to my new ward. I think it will be good. I was complemented on my clothes and shoes a lot, so that's always fun.
...had Mother's Day dinner with the Buies.
...studied for my final exam tomorrow for my Managerial Blah-de-Blah class.
...finished Harry Potter #3 and started up on #4 again.
...walked in the rain.
...talked to an interesting guy after church.
...watched little kids run around screaming.
...got grossed out by "battle wounds".
...drank some nasty punch...one sip was enough.

Pray for sun tomorrow, I want to walk to work!

H2O

2011-05-05T16:36:00.000-06:00

The sound of rushing water!

Exhilarating and and refreshing, transports you to another place. A mountain stream in summer where the water trips and falls around the rocks, etching its way ever onward. Or a country brook where animals drink nearby as you enjoy an afternoon walk.

Alas, my sound of rushing water emanates from my living room wall.

A little while ago, I decided I was going to hang the mirror and picture that have been sitting on the floor feeling unloved and essentially forgotten. So, after pinpointing where I was to place the nails for the mirror, I started hammering. The first nail went in completely fine, the second however, hit a snag. What I had thought was a 2X4 turned out to be a water pipe.

As water streamed onto the lamp, floor, pillows, blankets and couch, the only thing I could think of to do was plug the whole. With my finger. I felt like Hans Brinker's Little Dutch Boy, bravely plugging the dyke. Then the thought came to me, "Who puts a water pipe in a living room? In an area nowhere near someplace in need of plumbing?"

After informing the apartment manager, the water was turned off long enough for us to place tape over the hole so I didn't have to continue to stand with my finger covering the hole I had made. Meanwhile, the carpet is completely saturated...I could go swimming if I really wanted to, and since the water has since been turned back on, it will only get worse. I am envisioning water filling the space in the wall between our apartment and that of our neighbors (who I'm sure will be delighted with the turn of events when they return home).

Not bad for a Thursday afternoon, eh?

Doin' what come Nat'rally

2011-05-04T22:41:00.000-06:00

I've been setting my alarm to go off sometime between 6:00 and 6:30 since I moved into our new apartment. Having a 2 minute driving commute and a 10 minute walking commute really pays off in the wee morning hours. So yesterday I decided that I would sleep in and wake up naturally, largely because after implementing a new filing system at work, I no longer have scads of things to do in the morning, fancy that! Anyway, back to the alarm...I went a head and disengaged it (aka I turned the dang thing off entirely) and dropped off into a blissful slumber with pleasant dreams of waking up to birds chirping and the sun streaming through my windows at a respectable hour like 8:00.

Imagine my dismay when I woke up at 6:00.

I promptly sighed, glared at the clock and turned over.

I then awoke at 6:30.

Someone's idea of a sick joke no doubt!

Thus, I went into work at my usual time.

I'm trying this again.

Please fill out this survey...

2011-05-03T21:08:00.000-06:00

I took another final exam today for one of my classes, and passed with flying colors! Yay me!
Anyway, that isn't really the point of this post. Kinda...but not entirely. But a little. woohoo!

So after I finished the exam, I logged into my school e-mail account, and read this message from one of the Provosts asking me to click on some link and answer some questions regarding my study techniques and what resources (books, modules, mentors, etc...) had helped me most in preparation for taking my exam.

Well, I know that I shouldn't really feel bad, but I didn't do it. I didn't fill out the survey, and I will never fill out the survey. Why? It's not hard, I'd just click the link and BAM! I'm there! But I didn't feel right about filling out the survey...and here's the silly part. The part that is ridiculous and absurd. I don't want to fill out the survey and tell them all about my study techniques because....I never actually studied. Not only did I not crack a book, I never even bought the book...I never even looked to see what book was required for the course!

As I sit here and think about it, I shouldn't be embarrassed by the fact that I passed a final exam without studying, but for some reason, I don't want the University to know. I KNOW! I'm mental.

History

2011-05-01T15:41:00.000-06:00

So today we underwent "the change". No, not puberty. That happened long ago.

The change I am referring to is the change instituted for the YSA (Young Single Adult) wards and stakes in the Salt Lake area. We were encouraged to document this "momentous" occasion in our journals. And since I don't keep a journal (don't judge), I figured that this is about the closest I get to "journaling", so you guys get to reap the...benefits?

Whatever..anyway. A large portion of the meeting consisted of our stake being announced (I'm in the Salt Lake Holladay YSA Stake...yes, it's a mouthful, try saying it 10 times, fast) and the wards being delineated. Then, members of the new stake presidency and the Quorum of the Seventy spoke to us...pretty much about the same things..over and over again. First, there was how "huge", "momentous", "historical" and "mind blowing" this change was (Okay, so "mind blowing" was my own addition, but it felt like it belonged) and how we should document it (Exhibit A). Secondly, there was always a reference to their spouse, how they met their spouse, when they met their spouse, how lucky they were to find their spouse, and how much they love their spouse. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE spouses! They're great, grand and wonderful! However, it almost felt like each speaker was trying to "one up" the speaker before them.

It was slightly humorous to see people squirm in their seats when the subject of "marriage" flew from the pulpit though. Why are we so silly about things like that? I mean, yes, I get that we get harped on and sometimes looked down on because of our single status, but these people want us to be happy! And I know that marriage doesn't automatically make you happy and singlehood means you're an unhappy spinster collecting cats and lace doilies, but it's an essential part of the Plan of Salvation...which is also, ironically, referred to as THE GREAT PLAN OF HAPPINESS! Just sayin'....

On a serious note, I really enjoyed one speaker who eloquently stated that each of us has an individual "plan of salvation". Meaning that though all of us were born, and all of us will eventually die, none of us are exactly the same. We all have different feelings, families, experiences and needs, so we can't compare ourselves to someone else. Not that we "shouldn't", but that we "CAN'T".

Anyway, those are my thoughts on the "historical" moment I took part in today!

Come May, What?

2011-04-28T22:17:00.000-06:00

I've done the rollercoaster of weight loss, I lose it, I gain it, I misplace it, I find it again, it's not my idea of a good time.

Anyway, I've been what I would say is fairly okay for the last year, 2010 was pretty decent in the weight arena, but then...I got stressed and I got lazy and I didn't think about the crap (yes, crap) that I was eating.

So...starting in May, I have decided to change a few things, and I feel like if I put it out there in the Universe, and not just in my noggin, I may actually stick to it a bit better.

I will plan out and make my meals--probably not ALL of them for everyday, but more than just grabbing the first thing I see.

I will not eat after 8:00pm unless I haven't had an actual meal since lunchtime.

I will reduce eating out to twice a month

I will only have sugar on special occasions--like birthdays, holidays and Wednesdays (just kidding!)

I will drink more water

I will walk to work--weather permitting

I will actually utilize the gym at work again

And most importantly, I will not compare myself to other people, and not beat myself up if I slip up on any one of these items...I think this one may be the hardest one.

Oh, Lisa...you use too many ellipses...

2011-04-28T22:04:00.000-06:00

While everything may not be "coming up roses", things are looking a bit better...or maybe I'm just having an attitude adjustment...you be the judge, and then keep your opinion to yourself...

I will soon have a new job title, and a raise! Woohoo! This is one thing that has seriously been stressing me out for the past...oh...8 months or so. So yay!

I was finally able to get my car licensed and registered, and I even stuck the Utah plates on...and I may have removed the BYU vanity plate from the rear end...nothing personal Jen!

I bought new bedding that has been deemed "Very you" (And when I say "You", I really mean "Me"...just in case you were confused).

I finally broke down the boxes that have been sitting on top of the couch...they are now residing...under..the..couch...BUT they're not ON the couch! I still get a point for each box.

I went to the Temple today

I only have to work 2 hours and change tomorrow thanks to the almost 15 hours I put in on Monday.

Because I only have to work 2 hours and change tomorrow, I have decided to pop on up to Logan to see my familia and surprise my mumsie who returns from California tomorrow...hopefully she doesn't read this before I get there. I may or may not be counting this as Mother's day because I can't come up on Mother's day...oh! and Easter! Can I still have it count as Easter too? I'm going to see how many things I can get this trip to cover....

Anyway, this is my way of saying "I don't really need that hole anymore"...not that things have drastically improved, but I'm trying not to wallow in self-loathing and pity. I think that's a pretty good idea, personally. But that's just me.

Find me a Hole

2011-04-23T18:12:00.000-06:00

I'm done. I am at capacity. I can do no more.

The only problem is..I can't put anything else on hold.

I have an apartment that still looks like a war-zone, but I have very little desire to do anything about it.
I have school work that I am supposed to get done, but I have very little desire to do anything about it.
I was supposed to have a change occur at work, but they have very little desire to do anything about it.
I have a car I need to get licensed, but the DMV isn't open on the weekend, so I actually can't do anything about it.
I have encountered a company that is entirely unhelpful via phone or internet, so I cannot do anything about the issue I need to clear up with them either.
I have a bank account which constantly mocks me, and I want to throttle it, but can't find enough of anything to wrap my hands around to give it a proper thrashing.

The life of a hermit looks more and more appealing with each passing day.

At the end of my proverbial rope

2011-04-20T23:12:00.000-06:00

Today was one of those days

Tomorrow might be too

Guess we'll see

Sometimes I can't think of a title...

2011-04-13T21:55:00.000-06:00

I move into my new apartment on Saturday! Yay!

I'm not sure I've mentioned this yet or not, but it is not this apartment. That's right folks, it's another apartment...one whose address does not involve the name "Taylorsville"...we're actually just a few blocks from work, we'll see if that turns out to be a good thing. I for one am excited to be able to walk to work.

Anyway, with moving in the near future (and actually having already moved a number of things over), things have been a little topsy-turvy in my life. Much of what I own is in boxes, or will be within the next 24 hours. We also have a lovely DI pile going, so if you want to come take a gander at it and cart anything away, please, feel free.

The big move of furniture is taking place on Saturday, like I said earlier...I apparently felt the need to reiterate...the weather has been less than cooperative as we've moved over smaller items, so I hope things clear up a bit in the next little while.

I have also gotten sick. And I mean SICK. It's actually pretty gross.

So since I have been ill, I took work off on Monday, but having previously used all of my Sick Time, I have to make up my hours this week (in all my spare time, that is), so I did the bulk of it yesterday, logging almost 16 hours, and then a bit more today. Did I mention I've been training people both of these days? I don't think I did. Have I mentioned that I really, really, really don't like training people? Well, it's true. I don't, so basically I am in love with this week so far.

Ha ha! And I have to go to a Mary Kay thing-a-ma-who-zit tomorrow....try not to be too jealous, it's not good for your complexion.

If this post sounds whiny....I blame the medicine, and you should too...

Thank Heavens

2011-04-09T23:41:00.000-06:00

So do we remember this post?

Well, you can go ahead and add The Iron Giant to it.

Yeah...that's right.

This has the potential to get embarrassing...if I watched movies with other people that is...luckily, I don't.

You're crazy...

2011-04-06T20:32:00.001-06:00

I've heard a few people remark on the fact that I blogged more when I was out of the country, than I do when I'm stateside....

Of COURSE I blogged more! I was on vacation! I had nothing to do, no responsibilities, and I was sightseeing! When I have things like castles and foreign countries to write about, why wouldn't I? Stateside, all I can write about is work, school or moving...all of which stress me out and none of which I really want to write a post about (especially since much of this blog seems to have been dedicated to that).

So, being the Classy Broad that I am, I thought I would spare you the boring details of my jet lag, packing, going back to work, and all those other tedious things.

So, it's because I love you that I haven't been blogging! I'm so generous sometimes...

Insert "The Godfather" soundtrack here...

2011-03-30T14:18:00.000-06:00

"I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse..." -Don Corleone

Okay, so I didn't quite make it to Sicily, but I still had a "Godfather" moment on my brief stint in Italy today. As I got out of the car at Lake Como, I saw two guys in their finest duds walking by. One was wearing a blue pinstriped suit, and the other a black suit with a matching hat. I immediately had a vision of these two heading to some restaurant to meet their cronies, and a violent shoot-out occurring just after the veal arrives at the table (too much Hollywood influence you say?).

My impressions of Italy are thus...

From a distance, it is gorgeous, a beauty you cannot properly capture on film (or in my case, on memory card).

Up close however, things are a bit different, things are pretty dirty, graffittied, run-down and just kinda gross.

Not to mention! Italian drivers are insane. INSANE! All those movies you've seen with cars zipping in and out, going on sidewalks, traveling at seemingly impossible speeds...it's all very very accurate.

I would like to go back someday and see some other cities...Rome, Florence, Milan (which we were actually pretty close to), Naples, Venice...you get the idea.

But for now, I have the work of Nino Rota to remind me of Italia.

Buy it by the kg

2011-03-29T08:31:00.000-06:00

If you are a cheese connoisseur, I recommend that you locate and try Raclette. It is a delightful, light cheese with a robust flavor...I prefer the smoked raclette myself, but I tend to like smoky cheeses and realize not everyone shares my tastes....poor them.

Because really, it's great!

The brown stuff

2011-03-29T08:27:00.000-06:00

When given the choice of Chocolate or Vanilla, I will go with Vanilla.
If I want something sweet, I will generally go for something fruity over something chocolatey.
So why is it that my suitcase is now practically overflowing with chocolate???

Sail Away

2011-03-27T08:03:00.000-06:00

My niece LOVES Enya.

If you have never seen a 3 year old sing and dance to Enya, you are seriously missing out.

Do you hear the people sing?

2011-03-27T07:59:00.000-06:00

You know those times when you're sitting in church, and you just can't seem to grasp anything? It's almost as if the speakers are talking in some foreign language that you can't understand! (You can see where I'm going with this can't you?)

Church amongst the Swiss is something I have done before, so I wasn't completely thrown for a loop (and the fact that LDS church practices don't differ much no matter where you are helps too). I was able to follow the Sacrament prayers thanks to having memorized them over my 25 years of church attendance. One of the things I had a hard time with was the hymns. I love singing the hymns, and have many of them memorized, though when everyone around you is singing in German, and you don't have an English hymnbook, it can lead to either: (A) Humming along with the hymns (B) Attempting to sing in German--I don't recommend this option, it leads to the butchering of a language or (C) Mixing up the verses you know in English because you are unsure of which verse comes next--this is generally the most used option next to (A).

I'm sure there were a few people chuckling at my sorry attempts at singing, but I wasn't about to just sit there, I think people look silly if they don't sing during the hymns....yep, the truth is out! If you're one of those people who keep your mouth shut while everyone else is singing, I think you look a bit ridiculous...I hope you can live with that...or that you'll start singing...one or the other.

Architectural Digest

2011-03-26T06:31:00.000-06:00

If it's old, crumbling and was once inhabited, chances are, I'm going to like it.

I hope to get my fill of old buildings, castles and ruins while in Switzerland. I have already been to one castle, and was thoroughly enthralled. All I can say is that I had better marry someone who can either share in my love of architecture and history, or someone who can be content with the fact that I could be happy just walking around looking at old buildings.

Basically Bacteria

2011-03-26T06:26:00.000-06:00

Quark, where have you been all my life, and why must you live so far away?

No, Quark is not the name of some deliciously handsome Swiss man I intend on smuggling home in my suitcase. Quark is....better (Face it, I don't speak German, ultimately, any relationship would be doomed from the get-go).

Quark is like yogurt, but thicker and more delicious.

If you know me well, you know that one of my basic food groups is Yogurt, therefore it stands to reason that I would love a land that specializes in yogurt. The Swiss have turned yogurt into an art form (though some types of art are....questionable). I do not recommend Buffalo yogurt or Sheep yogurt, Hazelnut yogurt leaves much to be desired, and I am pretty sure I would not like Chocolate yogurt so I haven't even tried it, but I love the Pomegranate-Cranberry (I think it may be my favorite).

Whoop-de-doos and Whirly-woos

2011-03-26T06:14:00.002-06:00

My twin nieces, Nicolyn and Clara love clothes. Clothes and shoes. They could spend all day trying them on, talking about them and chewing on them. Yeah...they're only 2. They specialize in obscure clothing combinations, for instance, Clara is currently sporting a delightful ensemble featuring a frilly purple top, which clashes perfectly with her orange and yellow hairbow, an adorable red skirt sits atop a brown flowered skirt that is accentuated by the rainbow-striped pajama pants underneath it (they are of course inside-out), which are made even better by the white pajama pants with hearts on top of them, and not to be outdone by the blue pajama pants with puppies on them on top of those and if you think it is impossible to get another pair of pants on after that, you are sorely mistaken, because this gal also sported a pair of brown pants to even the whole thing out and at any given time she can have a variety of colored socks on, though she is entitled to pull them off at any moment, and her shoes vary depending on her mood. I wish I could get away with wearing things like that....but alas, I am a little too conservative in my tastes in comparison.

The dynamic duo also have this fantastic daredevil streak running through them. They dive off of furniture (with or without a pile of pillows in their landing area), climb up and down the double stroller (sometimes swinging from the handle like monkeys), in their opinion, the higher, the better.

They're kinda crazy, but I secretly love it. Well...not so secretly.

The Second Time Around

2011-03-26T06:01:00.000-06:00

You may have heard that I'm in Switzerland again. Not quite sure who spilled the beans on that one....oh wait...that was me. Nevermind.

Anyway, some of you may know that I suffer from motion sickness. And when I say suffer, I mean suffer. My last go around with international travel didn't end too happily for my constitution by the time I reached Amsterdam, and when I reached Zurich, I looked and felt positively dreadful.

Though I had (and used) copious amounts of nausea medication on my last trip, I was much more successful with my drug combinations this time. A couple doses of Bonine, some ginger, and sleeping pills and I was good to go! So though I did still get uncomfortable with the travel, I was able to keep my wits about me (read: I didn't vomit).

I don't know why I started with the gross stuff, I'm sure none of you want to read about the fact that I don't travel well, but there you have it.

Anyway, after our first flight, the mother and I arrived in Chicago only to find out that our next flight to Toronto was...CANCELLED! Uh oh. But did we freak out? Did we lose our cool? Absolutely not! Classy broads do not, under any circumstances lose their cool...we are always calm and collected (even when we're nauseous). So we made our way to the AirCanada counter where this nice young chap, we'll call him Michael (because I think that actually was his name), got us on a direct flight to Zurich and had our luggage moved accordingly, thus saving us the annoying task of collecting it and moving it ourselves.

From there, we went to the SwissAir counter to get our actual tickets taken care of. The lady at the counter (she doesn't get a name) was less than fun. She made a big to-do about our carry-on luggage being too big and too heavy (I love how domestic and international standards are different....not really) and how because we already had 2 checked bags apiece, we would most likely be charged in excess of up to $500 for everything. Remember how Classy Broads don't lose their cool? I had to remind myself of that fact a couple times... Anyway, because she was such a "nice" individual, she didn't charge us anything extra and checked our carry-ons for us.

And thus began the long flight, or as I like to refer to it, The Time Adjustment Phase. I didn't want to arrive in Switzerland and need 2 days to recover and adjust to the time difference (of course this time I wouldn't have cranky babies waking up at extremely odd hours either).

So here we are, in the land of cheese, chocolate, bank accounts and knives! And apparently I have some ancestors from here too...guess it's meant to be.

Domo Arigato

2011-03-14T22:30:00.001-06:00

So remember when I said I had submitted my paper, and they had a good laugh at it and told me to redo it? Well, I did redo it, and it turned out to be a pretty nice paper...with the exception that they didn't like the visual aid I used, and was told in no uncertain terms to redo that as well. So, with the third time being a charm, after much painstaking (and tedious) work, they accepted my last ditch attempt at the sucker.

Then I went on to record myself reading it. I hate recording myself, but I loathe watching myself afterward (over and over and over to make sure it was right). I move my head too much when I talk, I flip my hair, I screw up my face and make exasperated noises when I mess up, and I really, really hate how the rest of the world hears my voice.

BUT...

I did it. I recorded it and put it on the computer to edit everything together only to find out that...Bosco is giving me attitude and won't let me do anything. I can't edit my segments together, and I can't convert them into an acceptable form to put them into another editing program. Awesome.

LUCKILY...
I have a fabulous roommate who works for the church in the Audio Production department...meaning...she has access to handy dandy computers (and the boys who use them) and can convert the files for me while she's at work. Yay!

So after a busy day at work, and a brief showing at FHE (thanks to Janiece for spearheading that one for us!), I went home to tackle the task at hand. I edited everything the way I (sort of) wanted to, and then went to upload it to TaskStream (the program my school uses to submit online projects) and......nothing. It wouldn't load. At all.

GAH! Muttering and cursing! (yes, I know you taught me better than to curse, mom....sorry)

Again, Shannon came to my rescue (because I know virtually nothing about computers--which is one reason I could use a man in my life...though there are other, better reasons too) and after an hour and a half of frustration, I was able to submit everything.

All I have to say is...if they send it back saying it needs more work, I may break something.

Giving up

2011-03-12T22:46:00.000-07:00

For Lent, I am giving up Apartment Hunting.

Why?

Because I hate it...it's long, boring, sometimes smelly, and most importantly of all.....Kelly and I already found one.

Ooh! Look at that! I totally got ya! You completely fell for my sly little joke!

I'm lame. I know. Embrace it, it's what I did, and it has made all the difference.

Anyway, back to the point. Yes, Kelly and I have indeed found an apartment. It is located in West Murray, or as some people prefer to call it, "Taylorsville". It is mere minutes from work, and has easy access to the freeway, which is also nice. It becomes available whilst I am in Switzerland, so we will be moving things in starting when I get back at the beginning of April. In preparation, I have been packing boxes and giving myself injuries, buying new things and frantically calling people with trucks when I realize I can't fit them into Kelly's car (Thanks again Paul!). There is still a lot of packing to do, and I know I need to get the bulk of it done within the next week, which is slightly stressful, but hopefully very doable.

Lots of short sentences.

2011-03-08T20:28:00.000-07:00

I snowshoed to the bus stop this morning. And when I say "snowshoed", I mean that there was snow...and I was wearing shoes...and I got SOAKED!

Upon reaching said bus stop, I decided to wake up my mother with a phone call (sorry mom!) to see how she was doing after having dental work done yesterday...I am not envious in the least bit...especially since I have a tooth I am worried about.

For Laura's birthday, we went to The Cheesecake Factory, a place I have never been to before today (which, considering my adoration of cheesecake is surprising, but upon seeing their prices....was completely understandable). I ordered the Spicy Chicken Chipotle pasta which was D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S.! and they have fabulous bread too! And the cheesecake....? Kill. me. now. No, really, do it. I shouldn't have eaten it, but I did. It called my name and I submitted....so worth it.

I also got my results for the task I submitted last night. Basically, they said "Silly girl, let's try that one again". So I did. And I just resent it. Hopefully they like this version better, because I do. And I don't want to have to write it again.

Omniscience

2011-03-07T22:59:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, I will be treated to lunch by one of the Provosts for a friends birthday, and hopefully get the results of the first half of my class assignment.

1 week from tomorrow, I will be done with my last class of the semester! I will also be in the middle of having big wigs walking around work which means I need to dress up..hopefully the weather cooperates, skirts and snow boots don't look very nice together.

2 weeks from tomorrow, I will be on a plane (or 3) heading to Switzerland!

3 weeks from tomorrow, I will have been in Switzerland for almost a week, and will have long forgotten about how horrible the flight was and how sick I got (yes, I can accurately predict this).

4 weeks from tomorrow, I will have returned from Switzerland and will be back at work picking up the pieces from the giant mess created in my absence (yes, I can accurately predict this also).

5 weeks from tomorrow, I will be crying if we haven't found a new apartment by then, and rejoicing if we have.

That's as far ahead as I dare look, the crystal ball tends to get a bit fuzzy past 5 weeks, and I'd hate to chance any misguided predictions.

Livin' on a Prayer

2011-03-07T22:49:00.000-07:00

I'm halfway there! Unfortunately Bon Jovi isn't with me though...

I am halfway done with the class I have been avoiding/dreading/putting off for the past 6 months. I hate writing. Ironic when you consider the method in which this blog is formed, no? But that is different writing. I can write til the cows come home if I can BS my way through it, but there was no room (ok, very little room) for BS in the research paper I had to write...and still have to perform orally.

The last research paper I wrote was back in 2004, and if I'm not very much mistaken, I wrote it the night before it was due, and I only used quotes from the overviews of books (since I couldn't be bothered to waste any time actually reading anything). Alas, I couldn't find that fabulous piece of work (probably because I was the idiot kid who didn't believe in saving anything....now I save EVERYTHING) and just reuse it for my presentation...which is totally legit for this class, would have made things so much easier.

But no, no such luck for Lisa. I started researching my topic back in October...ultimately I didn't use any of that research in my final product aside from my thesis. I put it off and finished 2 other classes, but eventually this silly class reared it's ugly head once more, and I proceeded to ignore it.

Well, it's time to pay the piper. I have to have everything submitted by the 15th at the latest, so I sat down and finished it tonight (I have been working on it periodically, so it's not like I completely ignored it, just enough to feel guilty whenever my mentor called me).

So, soon I will hear back about whether or not my information was good enough and then I'll go from there.

My room is depressing

2011-03-07T22:35:00.000-07:00

I have a fortress of liquor boxes in my room. It partially blocks my door so you can't open it all the way. The boxes are full of books, CD's, pictures, scarves (which now that it's snowing again I will have to open and remove), knick knacks and everything that was previously in my nightstand.

We haven't even found a place to live yet and there are boxes stacked on the desk full of DVD's, encyclopedias and games.

I always seem to forget just how much "stuff" I have until I have to move it...and magically, there is always more with each move...no matter how much I throw away during the moving process.

But really, why am I spreading out the packing over 2 months? Because I know myself. I know that with all the things I have going on, the last thing I will want to do with my final 2 weeks before moving is packing. I know that unless the boxes sit in my bedroom taunting me with every glance in their direction, I wouldn't pack a single thing.

So there they sit. And there they mock.

But I will have the last laugh....someday.

Maja' Weepa'

2011-03-01T21:50:00.000-07:00

So, growing up, I always thought that those girls who cried during movies were so silly. I mean really, it's a movie! I never teared up when Bambi's mom got shot, or bawled when Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr reunited in "An Affair to Remember", I never got emotional about E.T., and Titanic never sent me over the edge. Then again, I never watched "Old Yeller" as a kid...maybe that's what I was missing.

But now....

I am a MAJOR WEEPER! It's awful!

I mean, there are movies where it's okay to cry, even healthy..."Schindler's List", "Life is Beautiful", "The Pianist" (basically anything relating to the suffering and persevering in wartime). Even things like "It's a Wonderful Life", "The Truman Show" (okay, that one may be a little embarrassing), and "Steel Magnolias" aren't awful to admit crying about. Tonight, I had tears streaming (yes, actually streaming) down my face as I watched the end of "Remember Me", if you haven't seen it, and you want to be moved...watch it.

Then there are other movies where I am slightly ashamed*....so naturally, I'm going to post about it online. :) I'm not sure what changed within the last couple years, but whatever it is, it makes me very emotional.

"The Lion King"
"The Fox & The Hound"
"Toy Story 3"
"Finding Nemo"
Notice how thus far, they're all cartoons...that is a problem
"Finding Neverland"
"Fried Green Tomatoes"
"Forest Gump"
"Curly Sue"
"Mr. Holland's Opus"
"Muppet Christmas Carol"
"Pay it Forward"
"My Life"
"Frequency"
"A League of Their Own"

Frankly, there are so many others that I feel compelled to stop...mostly because I fear that the dampness dripping onto my computer could do lasting damage. So let's recap....Lisa is a big, fat baby who cries in movies. Yep, that about covers it!

*I am not actually ashamed of crying in ALL of these...some are legitimately worth a good cry...but some...are not.

Give it away, give it away, give it away, give it away now!

2011-03-01T19:59:00.000-07:00

Happy March!

My month started out fairly well. I was on the bus this morning, like normal. Reading the Book of Mormon, like normal, when this guy sitting behind me starts up a conversation.

Guy: Is that the Bible?
Moi: No, it's not...
Guy: Oh, cuz it looks like the Bible, I see a lot of people around here reading the Bible.
Moi: It's actually the Book of Mormon
Guy: Oh. (pause) So are you Mormon?
Moi: Yes, yes I am.
Guy: Cool, I'm just getting into religion myself.

From there, we got into a conversation about religion and the Book of Mormon, during which I gave him my copy. So, now, even though I am down 1 copy of the Book of Mormon, it felt really good to give it away. It has been well over a decade since I have given anyone a copy of the Book of Mormon, I should do this more often.

Expression

2011-02-28T21:13:00.000-07:00

It's the last day of February, and I feel the need to write something.

Mostly because I think it's pretty sad that I have thus far only written 3 times this month.

However, that should give you some idea as to how busy I have been. There have been some days...nay, weeks, where I have wanted to rip my hair out, burst into tears or punch something. All very strong emotions, none of which seemed entirely appropriate to do at the time I felt the urging, so I made do with banging my head on my desk, throwing my hands up in the air or pressing my hands to my temples in the hopes that with enough pressure, I could make it all go away. For those of you wondering if this works, I am here to tell you that...it doesn't.

When all is said and done, people will still procrastinate (I personally know NOTHING about procrastination), they will pester you when you're busy, ask questions they can figure out themselves, ignore your pleas for help, pile on more for you to do, fail to give you important information and fail to do their own jobs correctly.

I'm not complaining, really, I promise I am not. I am merely explaining away some of my recent frustration. I'm not looking for an "I'm so sorry" or a "I can't believe they do that!", trust me, I get enough of that from the people I work around. I just like being able to throw it out into the void....even at the risk of sounding whiny.

Though...this would be a good time to remind you that a Classy Broad is never whiny...merely expressive. :)

Holy Gusts of Wind, Batman!

2011-02-25T20:48:00.000-07:00

Can we talk about how windy it has been today?
No?
Oh...(well, it was really, really windy) ok then.

I hate apartment hunting.
I do.
I hate trying to find something that is a decent size, in my price range, with washer/dryer hookups (or at least laundry facilities nearby), in an area that I am comfortable with and which hopefully does not smell like cat pee.
It's not like I'm asking for vaulted ceilings, a fireplace, swimming pool, breakfast in bed, and someone to fan me while they fed me peeled grapes all for the low monthly price of $700. I'm not asking that! I just want someplace nice, where I don't feel like I need 17 locks on my front door and a can of mace at the ready.

I hate apartment hunting.
I do.

Long time, No read

2011-02-22T23:05:00.001-07:00

I know! It's been a long time since I last posted...almost 20 days actually. I apologize.
You wouldn't believe the number of times I thought to myself, "Self...(I actually refer to myself as 'Goddess Divine', but that's another story...anyway...) Self...you should really get your act together and write on your blog." At which point a silent battle ensues between the creative side of my brain, and the side that wants to go to sleep (did I fail to mention that this battle tends to happen around 11:30 at night?)...you can tell which side of the brain has been winning lately.

Well, I managed to get enough done on my homework that I felt comfortable stopping a bit earlier than anticipated, so now you lovely readers get to enjoy the "creative" side of my brain for a little bit. You're such lucky people!

Since the last time I graced you with my typing skills, I have spent an inordinate amount of time at work, gotten the flu, re-read some Harry Potter, done some homework, made fondue, eaten fondue, sprinted toward buses and trains (with moderate success), painted pottery, discovered the wonders of the Shark steam mop, pranced in snow, lifted heavy suitcases, done homework, avoided homework, closed an online-dating profile, looked at apartments, played games, eaten trifle and sushi (not together, that would be gross), seen old friends, gone to Park City, looked adorable (naturally...), attempted crossword puzzles, been chastised, learned lots of not-so-useful Presidential trivia, almost committed to hiking Havasupai in May, contemplated trips to San Diego or Portland, spent time with my Mumsie (yep, that would be you Mom...embrace your new nickname), replaced a kaput flat-iron, cooked some deliciousness, cleaned up messes and attempted to sleep in.

All in all, not a bad 2 weeks, though some parts of it were definitely better than others (those who have already heard me vent can attest), but for the most part I can't complain too much...or at least I don't really want to.

You do WHAT?

2011-02-03T23:18:00.000-07:00

I would like to state for the record that I am not crazy.
I have not entered the Twilight Zone, nor have I been invaded by a body snatcher (as far as I know).

Why am I starting this post off on the defensive?

Well....because I have started doing something completely out of character. No, I did not realize my lifelong dream of becoming a singer on Broadway, hop a plane to New York, and start auditioning like there was no tomorrow. Though, that's not a half bad idea...maybe if things don't pan out in the next couple years...

Focus, Lisa. Focus.

I have joined the mad throngs of women who watch a certain show. A show that part of me is really ashamed to watch...no, I did not start watching Glee, I'm not that crazy. I've started watching Say Yes to the Dress on Netflix.

I know! I know...I'm not that person. I don't ogle wedding dresses. I haven't dreamed of weddings for the past 25 years, I don't really care about all that stuff....though, I do like lace. That much I know.

I like watching the show and seeing these girls (who have WAY too much money available to them for a DRESS!) find the dress of their dreams, I like seeing their face light up, their parents shed tears of joy, I got some satisfaction when the crazy consultant I didn't like got fired (I'm awful, I know).

I do find it a bit funny that while watching the show, I think things like, "I could never wear something like that", "I can't believe someone designed something that looks like that", "Not only did someone design something that looks like that, but someone bought something that looks like that!", and my favorite, "That wouldn't work for a Mormon wedding". That last one crosses my mind multiple times during an episode...because I'm cool like that.

So no, I am not sitting here bemoaning the fact that I am a single gal, nor am I hankering to try on poofy white dresses, I just like watching other people do it.

Just like olde times

2011-01-29T00:21:00.001-07:00

I got a text this afternoon from Kelly.
It read: "YCB night?"

My response: "Definately"

For those of you who are not "avid" readers yet, this is in reference to this post. Being a CB generally includes trying new things, restaurants, drinking sparkly things out of fun glasses, accepting compliments graciously (we're still working on that one), looking people in the eye and just being fabulous.

So in the spirit of the YCB, we gussied ourselves up (okay, that's not really true...neither Kelly nor I changed our clothes, but I did reapply my eyeliner. That totally counts as gussying.) and headed to Little America for dinner.

I immediately felt classy upon walking through the door. Can't get more classy than Early Bird Special time. Okay, in all seriousness, I always thought Little America looked like some sad joke played on the masses. There it sits in the shadow of The Grand America, it's red brick looking very tacky and depressed (a brutal combination). Upon actually stepping inside, I was soon eating my words...or thoughts that is. The place is quite nice, and really, any place that has a gift shop selling stetsons next to another gift shop selling Disney figures cut from Swarovski crystal and a giant decorative horse's head is a win in my book.

Classy Traveler

2011-01-27T20:06:00.000-07:00

Today, I purchased a ticket.

No, not a golden ticket. You can't buy those...you have to find them in chocolate bars....so that idea was out.
Nor is it a ticket to a sporting event.

The ticket I purchased was for a flight to Switzerland!

That's right kids, I am winging my way back to the land of cheese, chocolate, knives and watches.

On March 22nd, my mother and I will board various aircraft and jet off to see my sister and her family. I need to stock up on my motion sickness medicine (because throwing up on a plane is not classy) and make sure I'm set in all other areas and I will be good to go.

So excited!

CB Hair

2011-01-24T22:14:00.000-07:00

About a year ago I decided I was going to grow my hair out again. I had cut it into a short a-line bob for about 9 months, and while it was cute, I missed being able to just wash-and-go. So here I sat a year after the fact, and indeed, my hair was longer. But not much. For some reason, my hair decided it didn't want to grow long enough to actually touch my shoulders, just taunt them with their vague presence.

On my way home from work today, I made a command decision.

I chopped it again.

That's right ladies and gentlemen (are there even any gentlemen who read this thing?) I again have an a-line bob. What can I say? It suits!

On the Interweb

2011-01-23T23:41:00.000-07:00

As you may know (since I don't exactly hide the fact), I am "online"
Meaning: "I am an online dater"
Meaning: "I have multiple profiles on dating websites in hopes that I can expand my dating pool and possibly make some connections with people. Male people. Single male people. Gainfully employed, single, male people. Gainfully employed, single, male people who do not live in their mother's basements"
Meaning: "......I'm a single gal in 2011"

I have been involved in this spirited dance with online dating for quite a while now. Well over a year...and this may or may not be my first time at this rodeo.

So, in all that time I have learned to figure a few things out about online dating.

Here lie some of my observations:

1. There will always be horrible, awful people (who may or may not be married) soliciting young girls for sex. Sad, but true.

2. I will still consider it to be the man's job to make the initial contact. I must be old-fashioned in this new-fashioned world.

3. There will be men older than my father looking and commenting on my profile. I will not find it flattering.

4. Men will undoubtedly be embarrassed about the fact they are looking online for love.

5. Men will post photos of themselves with small children (most likely nieces and nephews) that seem to scream out, "SEE! I'M BABY FRIENDLY!"

6. Photos taken in mirrors will always make me laugh inside.

7. It will always be slightly awkward trying to get to know someone through short e-mails and IM's.

8. People who never seem to check their profiles before midnight always seem to be slightly shady...and they should be asleep.

9. If a person cannot send a message of substance, and can only manage to say cheesy lines from 90's movies, I will not respond. I got "Can I keep you?" as a first contact from a guy just today....he clearly thinks I haven't seen Casper. And really? Pick a better movie!

10. People will always tell me I don't need to date online. To which I respond..."but I want to date!"

11. It is very, very, very important to feel comfortable with a person before accepting their invitation to dinner (or a movie or frolicking in rain puddles, or whatever) otherwise it can get really awkward and uncomfortable REALLY fast.

12. DO NOT become Facebook friends with someone you talk to online but haven't actually met. But if you want to make sure they're legit, go ahead and make sure their stories match up via Facebook...Google is a great thing.

13. I have to make sure they don't listen to and like Glenn Beck. That is a deal breaker.

14. Some people sabotage themselves by what they write in their profiles. I have read a lot of angry, bitter diatribes about past girlfriends, and females in general. Doesn't really inspire me to talk to you. It does inspire me to pity you and then close your profile poste haste.

15. There will always be some eager-beaver 19 year old who is so totally stoked for marriage that he hits up your profile every day saying how awesome you are. I want to reply that he reminds me of my younger brother...and I just couldn't do that.

16. Online dating really isn't all that bad....it just....isn't that good either.

Personally, I prefer to meet people organically (read: in real-life situations), but alas, I don't have tons of opportunities in my current situation. So online it is. Though I think I'm going to take a brief hiatus. Wish me luck! I hope my 19 year old admirer won't be too heartbroken.

To top it off

2011-01-22T12:14:00.000-07:00

Okay, it has been a week since I last filled you in on my CB happenings.

Well, the NLG (nice looking guy) from my previous post accompanied me to church last Sunday, and afterward joined Kelly and I for dinner. We talked for about 3 hours and then parted ways. I do not plan on hearing from him again. And I am okay with that. He is a great guy, and will make someone very happy, I just don't think we jive too well together.

Monday provided me with an opportunity to stay at home, and later have my parents take me out to dinner at a great little Chinese restaurant before I went to FHE which consisted of grab-bag skits and other various games. (not the classiest of activities, but that's ok)

The rest of the week was primarily filled with work. And some frustration regarding school, but the school stuff has since been taken care of and I am happy once again.

I have also recently started going through my pictures that I took in Switzerland and have been editing them. It's amazing how much better they look! There is almost a professional quality to some of them (if I do say so myself).

I am glad the week is drawing to a close though. I just have to make it through my birthday dinner tonight and all will be well!

867-5309

2011-01-14T22:32:00.000-07:00

Today was...a day.

At work, I have been getting pretty stressed out about some things. I am the go-to person for my particular area, and so naturally, everything comes back to me. When person A does something wrong it comes back to me, when person B does something wrong it comes back to me. You get the idea. Well, today I was at the end of my rope. I couldn't decide if I wanted to punch something or just crumple in a corner and burst into tears.

Fortunately, I did neither of those. I'm a CB after all!

I decided to go to the Temple instead (I actually decided to do that last night and had therefore taken my temple bag with me to work, but we can pretend it was spur of the moment).

I had a really good session, and was able to pour my heart out to the Lord about a few things I've been pondering. I also saw someone from my current ward and 3 people from a previous ward while I was there, thus again cementing the fact that I can't go anywhere without seeing someone I know.

Feeling uplifted, I decided to catch Trax home instead of my usual bus. The car was crowded, but I was able to procure a seat next to a nice looking guy (bonus). Riding along, I pick up snippets of conversations around me, strangers meeting strangers, when all of a sudden...the nice looking guy starts talking to me.

We end up talking for the rest of our ride, and he ultimately asked for my number. Not having felt creeped out, nervous, wary or threatened, I gave it to him. Not a bad way to end a day that started out so horribly in my opinion.

Now, you may be wondering "What about this is CB material?"

Well.....I drank my rootbeer from a martini glass. Can't get much classier than that right?

Cooking with Class

2011-01-13T22:37:00.000-07:00

I have been craving Chicken Coconut Curry for days.
The thought of it has been thrusting my senses into overdrive, and if I happen to get a whiff of the exotic spices and sweet coconut as I wait for the bus (that just happens to have a stop near a Thai food establishment), I might as well just keel over and die out of longing.

Suffice it to say, I wanted some curry.

Well, what's a Classy Broad to do in this situation?
There are a number of good restaurants that serve curry nearby, but my inner CB sense told me this was not the answer.

Then what in heavens name was the answer?!

Well, apparently the CB makes her own coconut curry. No, that was not a typo. This CB made a batch of delectable curry featuring all the spicy goodness accentuated by the coconutty (let's pretend that's a word for now) sweetness that she had been in search of.

If I was the type of person who takes pictures of things and put them on their blog, I would absolutely favor you with a delightful before and after shot of the deliciousness of which I partook this evening, but this CB has issues remembering what day it is, let alone remembering to pull out the camera to mark auspicious occasions such as this.

Just know that it happened, and that it happened in a very classy way.

YCB

2011-01-12T20:51:00.000-07:00

THIS is the Year of the Classy Broad.

Yes, you read that correctly. The Year of the Classy Broad. Which classy broad? THIS classy broad. (Please don't be offended by the use of the word broad....I do not mean it in any sort of a negative way, it just rolls off the tongue a bit better than "dame" does, and "Year of the Classy 20-something" doesn't have the right ring to it)

Anyway, back to the point.

I decided last year (ever so long ago) that I wanted to mix things up a bit, in a good way, for myself. I have gone through so many phases in my life; the cat lover (I may have actually thought I was a cat in my youth), the tomboy (this one lasted a LONG time), the actress (also lasted a long time, with some lingering effects), the girly girl (hard to believe, I know, but I did at one point own (and wear) a plethora of pink), the awkward "I'm trying to be girly but not quite doing it right because I don't want to be TOO girly" girl (those were some...interesting times), and the beauty you see before you (Why, Hello there!). I am happy with who I turned out to be (really, who wouldn't be? I can use my power drill while wearing 4 inch heels!) but I still feel the need to expand my horizons a bit in certain areas.

So this is the year! This is the year that I try new things (I did it in past years too, so that's not really that big of a step), meet new people, dress up when I want to dress down, drink out of champagne flutes, use the fine china (if you'd like to buy me fine china, I wouldn't object), be gracious, smile at strangers, complain less, eat at classy restaurants, fall gracefully (because it is inevitable that I will fall), read more books, keep certain topics to myself, and hopefully reign in some of my sarcasm (this is a yearly effort...it's apparently going very well).

There you have it, the Year of the Classy Broad. Feel free to join me (but you have to bring your own cheese)

(sorry about all the parenthetical thoughts....including this one. Add that to the list)

Sneak Preview

2010-12-28T22:48:00.000-07:00

This is a precursor for a post that will come a little later, but that is okay, I'm just going to throw it out there now. I need a little more class in my life.

I come fully equipped...

2010-12-28T22:34:00.000-07:00

I am quite possibly the luckiest gal in this room! (yes, the one I am sitting in by my lonesome) I am the ecstatic owner of a new power drill! It is black and orange and beautiful! And it sits in my new tool box! Which is black and yellow and beautiful...except where I can't get the sticker gunk to come off..that part is not so beautiful.

Upon opening my new tools Christmas morning, a short conversation similar to what follows may have taken place...

Mom: "Well with all those tools you're bound to attract a man"

Me: "Actually, I think I'm more bound to detract a man with all these tools"

Rebecca: "I'm inclined to agree with Lisa on this one"

Can't crack the male ego I guess....well, actually....this baby can drill through just about anything...bring it on!

I'm not dead yet

2010-12-28T22:26:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not dead.
Yes, I do realize it's been almost a month since I last blogged..? Posted? How am I supposed to say that?

It hasn't been for a lack of thinking about writing things, I have had the urge quite a few times this month, but something kept me from doing it. I think it was mostly the fact that the things I would consider writing about have all been written before...by me, and for fear of sounding like a depressing, disgruntled broken record, I refrained.

Well no more! You're going to get depressed and disgruntled! And you're going to like it! Just kidding....

This week (all 2 days of it) has been slightly interesting in the fact that I have had nothing planned for my evenings (a rarity), sure I could study...but frankly, I didn't want to. So what have I been doing? Watching old movies of course! I am the proud owner of some new (old) movies from the 30's and 40's courtesy of Miss Kelly Buie, and I have been having a ball watching them...by myself cuz that's how I work it.

Plenty of gorgeous swoon-worthy gentlemen...all for me!

I should have taken a picture

2010-11-30T22:09:00.000-07:00

Today I was removing the Harvest Decor we've had on our doorstep for the last 2 months. It consisted of various pumpkins, gourds, hay bales and flowers. While picking up a pumpkin that was on one of the hay bales, I was startled to find that not only did I get the pumpkin, but also the hay bale it had consequently frozen to, and a pot of flowers that had been sitting on the bale as well. Quite picturesque if you ask me.

November in Review...

2010-11-30T22:03:00.001-07:00

Because I'm a slacker, and don't regularly blog (which I'm sure is noticed by my avid readers (tee hee hee)) I am going to give a brief synopsis of the month.

Beginning:

Stopped eating the sugar
Moved areas at work for the 5th time in 7 months
Put out some work fires (this required numerous calls to the IT department, re-training people, running around frantically, wanting to cry, scream, punch something or all of the above, making snap decisions and ultimately harnessing my chi--ok, maybe all but the last one)
Attended FHE--including Thanksgiving Jeopardy and A Capella Mania
Gorgeous weather
Went to a "Christmas Carnival"....yeah.....
Ate at Sawadee for the first time--Highly recommend!

Middle:

Visited with good friends I haven't seen in forever
Talked to the adorable, pregnant Amy and found out she's having a boy!
Went Christmas shopping--very dangerous
Decided I have no real interest in any of the men I've been talking to for the last month
Started listening to "Fictionist"--great band
Weather started getting a bit nippy

End:

"Blizzard" warning
Went to Logan for Thanksgiving and saw the fam
Inherited a lot of Christmas decor
Inherited a gorgeous set of old books from my grandpa (and 3 couches...)
Survived temperatures around -4....not my idea of a good time
Played fun games with friends
Laughed a lot

This month seems to have dragged out over a very long period of time, and I am actually glad that it is over, I'm excited to be back on the 1st of something. I'm even more excited that we have refrained from putting up Christmas decor til this point :)

Whey Low, Keifer and Weight Oh My!

2010-11-18T19:44:00.000-07:00

So I've been doing the whole "no sugar" thing for 18 days now, and around last Saturday I realized that my life was going to be a whole lot sweeter if I invested in an artificial sweetener to bake and cook with. The only problem with artificial sweeteners is...they're generally gross-bad after taste, bad during taste, sometimes even a bad before taste. Aside from that, I have a very temperamental stomach, and a lot of the things I ingest tend to make me sick, artificial sweeteners being among them.

In my sweetener research (yes, I did sweetener research) I read about this sweetener called Whey Low. Digging a little deeper, I found out that there is only one store in Utah that sells it (and they only started doing so recently) and luckily for me, the store isn't terribly far from my house! I'm such a lucky gal. So I decided to take the plunge, I went out and bought the white sugar and brown sugar versions with every hope that they would not make me sick. Well, I am still alive, and I think it is great! No funky taste, you can substitute it for sugar straight across, and best of all, it doesn't affect my stomach in a negative way. Wahoo!

I also love probiotic yogurt. The kind I prefer is Lifeway Keifer. It is available in some delicious flavors, is lower in sugar than traditional yogurt, helps with digestion and is just plain yummy. It does have a unique zing to it that you don't get with regular yogurt, but I find that I enjoy it (some of you may not). Keifer is my sweet indulgence. If I feel like I want something for dessert, I generally reach for my bottle of yogurty goodness.

And since I'm on the topic of healthy eating and whatnot (not sure how that happened...oh wait, yes I do) I would like to add that I don't like it all that much. I mean, I have had loads of compliments on how I look, and I generally feel better, but I still have my frumpy "I feel fat" days. Ironic? Maybe. Maybe not. The horrible thing about weight is that it fluctuates. Meaning that although yesterday the scale may have informed me I had lost an additional 10 pounds, today I could be right back up there. That's pretty mean if you ask me.

But yay for weight loss! Just don't mention it...

Schnookums...

2010-11-09T22:23:00.000-07:00

I'd like to think that once I'm in a nice, healthy relationship--nothing akin to what I've had in the past (with very few exceptions), that I will not fall into the nauseating habit of calling my boyfriend/husband/whatever by nicknames that should only be given to enormously fluffy cats by their charming owners.

There will be no:

Cuppycake
Hunnybunch
Sugarlips
Babe/Baby
Schmooky
Bunny
Smoochy
Poopsy (how that is endearing is beyond my comprehension)
Puddin'
Muffin...actually, no food names...ever
Lovecycles
Kitten
Puppy....no small fluffy animals either...non-fluffy ones are out too
Pookie
Loveling
Sugar
Light of my life (Gag me with a spoon)
Angel Face
Tootsie
Button
Babycake
Dreamboat

This post may seen completely random to anyone reading this, but I seem to be surrounded by people who are letting the pet names get out of control!
So I am stating this now...I refuse to call my future Sugar daddy/Main squeeze/Macho man anything on this list (or in those previous describers).

And if he's wise...he'll have read this, and will return the favor.

Sugar-free

2010-11-03T21:18:00.000-06:00

My friend Stacy Tiney is going without sugar this month, and she asked my co-worker Sharistan and I to do it with her. So...I am going to avoid sugar for the month of November. To preface, I can still eat things that have some sugar in them like yogurt, for example, we're just avoiding sweets and things like that. Stacy is trying to work up to the point where she doesn't even eat things that have sugar in them at all, but that is a work in progress.

No more hot apple cider to heat up my morning...and no Thanksgiving pie either. It's a darned good thing I don't generally eat a lot of sweets anyway, otherwise this would be difficult!

Stop

2010-11-03T21:11:00.000-06:00

It is now November...I can hardly believe it!
It feels like October just started, but in actuality it is a distant memory...more of a vague blur actually. I spent a good portion of the month playing phone tag with my school mentor, working over time, walking to and waiting for the bus, sitting in choir practice, reading books I still haven't had time to finish, putting off my workouts, talking to really awkward men-folk, going on really short dates, carving pumpkins, decorating cookies and playing games with my ward.
I'm not sure what is in store for November, but I hope that it is less stressful than October was (though as I read that list I just wrote, it doesn't look stressful).

Go November, Go!

Smart Cookie

2010-10-19T22:57:00.000-06:00

I have logged over 22 hours at work in the past 2 days.
I feel like I see my computer more than I see people.
After about the 10 hour mark, I get really restless and tired, but I push through.

Why do I push through?

Apparently it's so I can stay up late...on my computer...at home.

Sometimes I wonder about myself. Then I sigh and shake my head. There is no logic behind it, there is no sense. And yet, here we are again.

Bed. NOW.

This one's for you...you know who you are

2010-10-17T22:26:00.000-06:00

You put up with my crazy habits
Smile at my idiosyncrasies
Listen when I need to vent
Laugh with me, even when I'm not actually funny
Understand where the "crazy" comes from
Shake your head at my asinine comments
Stand up for me when I can't find the words
Encourage me to see things in a different way
Challenge my way of thinking
Finish my sentences

And still I manage to take you for granted and inadvertently say things that are hurtful, and sometimes just plain rude. I am sorry. I really am so grateful to have you as a key player in my psychotic game of life. I'll be more aware of how the things I say make you feel next time.

This is for all those times. All those times I was too stupid to apologize. When I knew I'd hurt you, and said nothing. This is for you.

A couple things that get me...

2010-10-16T00:20:00.000-06:00

Walking through crunchy leaves
Talking with good friends
Organizational supplies
Paint
Seeing how happy old friends are to marry their best friends
Sleeping the perfect amount
Watching silly movies from childhood
Finding out my friends are pregnant!
Realizing my little brother has been on his mission for 1 year
Beautiful music composed by geniuses
Motorcycles
Autumn
Geeking out
Being able to be myself, and having people still like me....or at least still put up with me

Take that

2010-10-16T00:12:00.000-06:00

I recently took some flack for being on E-Harmony.
We had a bunch of people over at our house for FHE on Monday, and someone asked me to elaborate on a Facebook status I had posted last week about my really, really short date (less than an hour).
So I gave a brief synopsis. When asked where I met this particular guy, I told them. I have no embarrassment of being an online dater, I wouldn't call it my favorite way of meeting people, the most effective, and I won't say it's better than meeting people organically (offline), but apparently, what I think doesn't matter much.
The guys in the room immediately started making fun of online dating, putting it down, and asking why I would even do it in the first place. Now, bear in mind that these are people in my singles ward, typically a place where singles are encouraged to date one another. Being the frank/blunt person that I am, I put it simply that our ward is too small, and there isn't really anyone I'd date anyway (is that rude? oh well), I also work in a department that doesn't help my situation either, so I resort to online dating as my sole means of meeting people.
Is it ideal? No.
Am I doing what I can to put myself "out there"? Yes

And that's all that matters.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Went the trolley...

2010-10-05T19:48:00.000-06:00

I'm "watching" Meet Me in St. Louis right now, and can't help but laugh at the silly relationship foibles that are contained therein. Granted, I know that they are there for comedic relief, but it is also good for people to avoid some of these actions.

1. Do not obsess over people you don't actually know
2. Do not tell someone they smell like your grandmother....or your grandfather...or your aunt, uncle, father or mother...just stay away from familial references
3. Do not sing love songs in public, and then be shocked when the person you're singing about happens to be right there when you turn around...that's just how karma works
4. Do not bite, kick or hit your intended. It gives the wrong impression...
5. Do not "make up your mind" that you're going to "let" someone kiss you, and then be bitterly disappointed when they don't do it, unless you previously told them you would let them kiss you, in which case, you can be mildly disappointed
6. Do not forget proper decorum, propriety and good sense in your relationships

Silly people....yes, that means you, Judy Garland.

R.I.P.

2010-09-28T20:18:00.000-06:00

Muerte has lived up to his name...yes, that is right, after only a little over 2 weeks, I have successfully killed my fish.

After hearing about the resiliency of betta fish, I was sure I couldn't go wrong. Stories of neglect, and attempts to take the little fishies lives by cruel and devious ways, but the fishies lived on in defiance of their owners actions (or inactions).

I appear to have a knack of killing things...

plants
numerous goldfish
and now, Muerte

I had a boyfriend once joke that if we had children, he'd have to keep a sharp eye on them.

Funny...ha...ha...ha... (that was ever so sarcastic)

Farewell Muerte, enjoy fishy heaven...lots of castles to swim in.

Simplicity 2758

2010-09-24T23:15:00.000-06:00

I recently went through my closet, and got ride of all the skirts I either (A) Haven't worn in the last year (B) Don't really like to begin with (C) Don't fit me anymore.
I am most excited about the (C) options, not gonna lie. I have lost 20 lbs since June, and that is pretty exciting for me. I once again wear a size 12 pant, and I honestly cannot tell you the last time I did (I think it may have been middle school).
Anyway, this post is not about Lisa losing weight, it's about clothes, so let's get back to that.
About a week ago, I went to JoAnn Fabrics, and consequently purchased this pattern:

Cute skirts!

I am really excited to make them for myself...REALLY excited!

"When did it become socially acceptable...."

2010-09-20T18:21:00.000-06:00

for pajamas to be worn as everyday apparel
for kids to refer to themselves as "hoes" and discuss their worth like they're a stock on the NASDAQ
for teenage girls to openly brawl in the 7-11 parking lot and throw out the F-word like it's going out of style
for guys to ask a girl out, and then tell her she needs to pay half
for people to take personal calls on their cell phones at work....all day long
for little boys to whistle and cat-call at someone old enough to be their mother
for guys to ask a girl out for the same day....nay, for 6 hours later...
for rude humor to be the norm
for a "thank you" to be rare, and seem odd when given
for gossip to be the main topic of conversation
for the educational system to take a back-seat while athletic programs make millions of dollars
for people to ignore the elderly and disabled when they need their help
to have your clothes either falling off your nether-regions...whilst wearing a belt-an object I was almost certain was for keeping those pants up...
for little girls (or anyone really) to wear sweat pants with "bootilicious" written across the rear...nothing should be written across your butt...just sayin'
for people to be able to carry on lengthy conversations via text, IM, twitter or Facebook, but barely say anything when face to face with an actual human being

I ask you, when did it become socially acceptable? Well, I am not the cultural norm, so these don't fly with me. Consider yourself...informed.

Muerte

2010-09-14T20:45:00.000-06:00

Meet Morty!
(Or Muerte, or Mortimer, depending on your mood)

No, this isn't an actual picture of him, but it is pretty darn close.

I bought him on Friday, supplied him with a spacious bowl, furnished with rocks and some ruins.
Unfortunately, I think he may be depressed.
It's tough being a fish....

a few pictures

2010-09-11T21:09:00.000-06:00

Some of the luggage

Beautiful AND delicious!

So charming!

Olga! The Highland Coo

So PRETTY!

I love me some mountains!

St. Urban Monastery

I was in design heaven!

The Bern Temple

All in the numbers

2010-09-11T20:50:00.000-06:00

Number of Adults: 3
Kids 3 and under: 3
Bottles made: innumerable
Diapers changed: even more innumerable
Boxes/bags/suitcases packed: 28
Flights taken: 5
Pictures taken: 574
Motion-sickness pills taken: 7
Waterfalls seen: 9
Awesome cars seen: 3
Encounters with German ladies chewing me out for taking pictures: 1
Nights in hotels: 5
Loaves of bread eaten: 7
Amount of yogurt and quark eaten: a lot, but I loved every ounce of it (except the buffalo yogurt)
Chocolate bars purchased: 35 (and I don't even really eat chocolate)
Books read (for me): 6
Books read (for Annika): 36
Airline movies started: 9
Airline movies finished: 7 (I still need to finish Avatar...)
Times throwing up: 2
Trips to Ballenberg: 1 (amazing!)
Trips to the Bern Temple: 1 (also amazing!)
Castles seen (from a distance): 2
Hot-air Balloons seen: 4
Churches seen and entered: 5
Trips to the store: 3
Colds caught: 1
Sister-Sister talks: 2
Flirty boys on the plane: 1
Batteries used in the camera: 8
Beautiful scenery: EVERYWHERE!

Thanks for the amazing time Jen and Jonathan! It was phenomenal!