It's rare that a post two quotes in a row but I really liked this one....

"Anything's possible if you've got enough nerve."

- J. K. Rowling

"I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying."

- Michael Jordan

Soulmate

I became the luckiest girl alive the day that Julie Jenkins moved in with me back in our dumpy, dirty house in San Diego. It's not typical to meet someone and form an immediate connection, but we did. We spent many, many nights talking politics, religion, positive thinking and every once in a while, boys. She is a gem!

Friday night I got the opportunity to hang out with Julie, her cool husband Joby and their darling baby boy, Cru. I have not laughed so long our loud in a very long time. They never make me feel like the third wheel! It's good to know that after marriage and an awesome baby they are still the super cool kids that they were when Julie and I were roommates and Joby was the guy whose dog we took care of.

Julie - let's get lunch with Kalli this week so we can begin work on that manuscript....Remember, I told you I'm not funny in print! So we need to bring a tape recorder to get all the awesome anecdotes I drop over a sandwich or taco. Love you! (you too Joby!)

Upset

Boys II Men will be playing on the main stage at the Utah State Fair this year. The fair runs from September 10th - 20th. I will be out of town from the 6th - 25th.

Needless to say, I am extremely upset. No "A B C B B D" or "it's so natural, you belong to me..."

I'm devastated. Seriously. If you try to rub it in my face I might have to punch you in yours.

Cruise Activities

Ok, I refuse to do a day by day breakdown of what we did on the cruise because it's only interesting to me and Jerilyn. I promise. So I figured I could share my pictures and stories through categories! I am so smart! S-M-R-T!

Our first night there was a song extravaganza in the Savoy Theater.  It was awesome and tacky all at the same time.  

I had about 5 self serve ice cream cones a day on board.  I was amazing!

We ate lots and lots.  This was from an outdoor party on the pool deck.

I got lots of quality time with this awesome lady :)

There was a game show one evening and embarrassing the men seemed to be a top priority.  They are wearing women's bras, carrying a purse and have lipstick on their pretty puckers.  It was my favorite night!

We went dancing almost every night!  This is me with our friends Wormy and Peter Cook.  Peter is a really famous ASL story teller.  We had so much fun!

 

Every day while cruising there would be a reggae type band playing for us on the pool deck.  They were great!

We went to some pretty great workshops.  I had to post this picture because it is of Jerilyn and Keith Wann!  He really liked her sign song and asked her to perform it in front of the group!

Part of the group of interpreters and presenters

A parade in the middle of the boat!  

Jerilyn and I have decided to become cruisers.  Yep, we are giving into our addiction and are already looking at booking more cruises.  That is correct, plural.  We want to cruise over Christmas break and again next summer.  There will be another interpreter cruise next summer going to Alaska.  Come with us!

A QUICK Vacation Rundown

I will add more pictures later but I thought I should throw some up right now to give you a good idea of how I spent last week.

This is a beach in Mazatlan, it was amazing!

Me at a beach in Puerto Vallarta.  I know, my life is hard ;)

Dancing the night away with Jerilyn!

Free and delicious room service. Yum!

See you in a week!

Quick Early Morning Rant

Yes, it is early in the morning.  It is 3:57am to be exact and I have yet to go to bed.  My rant is not about sleep, no.  My rant is about boys.  Shocking, I know.

I would just like to send out a plea to the boys here in Utah.  

Please be better.  

Please stop sitting back and letting the girls in your ward drop off cookies for you.  It is making you lazy and unattractive to those of us who are not willing to waste our baking skills on you.

Please be good boys and be nice to girls, a lot of them are my friends.

Please, if you choose school make sure to go to for the right reasons (girl watching is not one of those reasons).

Please know that we expect a lot from you because you should expect a lot from yourself.  Any girl who doesn't encourage you to reach your full potential is a waste of time.  And believe me, you have more potential than you know so don't hide it!

I could go on, but I won't.  This is not because of any recent experience, just the culmination of living here for the past 2 years.  I'm sure I will get nasty remarks about me being jaded and bitter and that is fine.  I'm neither.  I have lived and dated on both coasts and in Utah and I feel as though I'm more informed than most.  

Alright, get going with the nasty comments.  I'm ready.

"The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight but has no vision."

- Helen Keller

(yeah Helen!)

What I've Been Up To....

Our amazing friend, Sariah, came back from a two month study abroad in Mexico so Eliza and I decided to throw her a party. I love any reason to throw a party :) Go away and I'll prove it!

I had so much fun that night and ended up spending most of my time with Shanna. Soon we were eating s'mores like champs and then we all started taking model pictures. It was awesome!

The delicious s'mores!

The "anorexic look" that got the ball rolling on a crazy night of modeling

One of my favorites 

Tonight I went to a place in rural Utah to burn things with friends.  It is an old mine shaft with a grate on top.  It was terrifying and amazing at the same time.  We'll be doing it again soon!

Me and my buddy, Luke

Check out those flames.  It went sooooo deep!  Awesome.

"The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes."

- William James

Toddlers and Tiaras

Season two of Toddlers and Tiaras began recently and it is already exceeding the hype/sequins/awesomeness/big hair/fake tans/ridiculousness/crazy moms/creepy dads/fake nails of last season. It's amazing how much these moms spend on the pageants with little chance of recouping any of it. 

Some of these little ladies are truly sweet about the craziness they are involved in but most of them are a bit too big for their britches.  Some of them say and do the nastiest things!  In 10 years they will be angling for a role in Mean Girls 2.  One of my favorite parts is any time they interview the moms (who vehemently deny living through their child) and they talk about how fun it is for the whole family and if the daughter wants, they can stop at any time.  Yeah mom, the screaming tantrums really make me believe that your child is delighted to participate.  

If you have not yet seen it, I highly suggest it....if you like televised train wrecks. Which I do. 

My dad sent this to me...I like it!

Champ!

A guy in my ward is from the LA area and is a HUGE Lakers fan. I, being from San Diego, dislike just about everything about LA, especially the Lakers!

He told me he was going to make a Lakers cake for everyone to eat after church and jokingly I told him I would make an anti-Laker cake. He jumped on it and challenged me to a cake contest.

I showed up last week with this creation and he didn't even show! He blamed it on being "sick". I understand, I wouldn't want to go against me either! I am definitely not a pro, but I think it turned out well for simple cans of frosting and a butter knife. AND everyone said it was delicious....that's the most important part, right?

Oh, Tragedy

On my recent road trip to California, I thought of my favorite *tragic love song and asked Eliza what hers was. She thought for several seconds before replying that it was "I'm Not That Girl" from Wicked. We had a minor squeal/freak out fest because that is mine too! I love. Check out the lyrics below if you are not familiar.

Tell me yours!

*This is any sort of song that is more often than not about love, unrequited love, love lost, death......not inspirational or happy at all. Most girls have many of these songs emblazoned on their hearts and minds. Most of us love tragedy set to music. I am definitely one such girl.

Hands touch, eyes meet

Sudden silence, sudden heat

Hearts leap in a giddy whirl

He could be that boy

But I'm not that girl:

Don't dream too far

Don't lose sight of who you are

Don't remember that rush of joy

He could be that boy

I'm not that girl

Ev'ry so often we long to steal

To the land of what-might-have-been

But that doesn't soften the ache we feel

When reality sets back in

Blithe smile, lithe limb

She who's winsome, she wins him

Gold hair with a gentle curl

That's the girl he chose

And Heaven knows

I'm not that girl:

Don't wish, don't start

Wishing only wounds the heart

I wasn't born for the rose and the pearl

There's a girl I know

He loves her so

I'm not that girl

500 Days of Summer

Eliza and I went and saw this on Tuesday at the Broadway Theater in Salt Lake. I loved it! Unfortunately, Eliza and I both identified too strongly with the lead male character, but it was still awesome! It was funny, quirky, stylish and clever. The director used some techniques that I have never before seen employed so I really appreciated it from that standpoint as well.

I suggest it for those of you who need a good laugh at life.  AND because my girl Zooey Deschanel wears the most incredible dresses in it.

"We must let go of the life we planned,

so as to accept the one that is waiting for us."

- Joseph Campbell

Photo found here

Reincarnated

This is a 3,000 year old Egyptian statue found in Chicago's Field Museum. Since Michael Jackson died, a lot of visitors have been commenting on the uncanny resemblance to him.  I say, I have to agree.  

Check out the full article here

Summer Reading

Over the past two months I have bought these seven books. I love, love, love books! I have yet to read any of them. I have a great start on one...hopefully I can get it done by November or so.

A Favorite

One of my favorite things on earth is steaming hot McDonald's french fries. They are absolutely delicious! I like them so much better than hot fries from any other fast food restaurant. Yummmmmm! (I had them tonight. Yes!)

Dear Shanna,

Thanks for being a fantastic friend. My love can only be described through something permanent like a tattoo. Of Zack Morris.  During his super big hair years.  If I could, I would get a picture of you tattooed on my calf with the words "Shay Par-tay!"

You're welcome.

I love you.

Job Hunting?

Hey ASL friends that live in Utah....

There is a job opening at Mountain View High School for an ASL teacher.  You would teach two classes (so it would be hourly/part time) but it is a FANTASTIC opportunity!  You never know what two classes can turn into and it looks really great on a resume.  Check the school district website for application information.  Even if you are still in school, I would suggest you apply.  Call me with any questions!

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you."

- B.B. King

Photo found here

I'm probably going to get horribly ridiculed for this, but I don't care.

Am I the only one that feels like life was better when they were still together?  I wish they were, it makes me sad. Commence your ridiculing and judging, I can take it.