Kitchen Window

My dad was in the Navy for 20 years. During that time we always lived in military housing. It leaves much to be desired.

When my dad retired and my parents began the all important house hunt, one of the main things my mom wanted was a view through her kitchen window. Believe me, she's got it.

She now has 3 flags in her antique bottles to represent those kids serving missions or in the Peace Corps. This was before Maria left so it's missing the flag of Italy. What a lovely reminder for her! She can look at the beautiful mountain range and those flags and be reminded of her family who she loves and the beauty of God's earth. What a smart mama!

I need to send her a DC flag......

(no taxation without representation! yeah!)

Ugh. April.

Tomorrow is April 1st. In exactly one hour and twenty eight minutes it will be April. How is it possible that we are 25% done with this year? 

You know when you're a kid and time has little meaning other than impatiently waiting for Christmas and your birthday? I wish I wouldn't have wished away so many days. 

I have no April Fools jokes planned. I'm single again so I can't do a fake engagement or pregnancy (ha!) and I am delighted that I'm not working tomorrow so I don't have to participate in such an odd tradition.

I think I'll get a massage.

Have a great April!

Don't believe a word anyone tells you tomorrow.

"The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them."

- George Bernard Shaw

Guess What - I Love You

Today the song "perfect" by Pink came on shuffle and it hit me pretty hard.

The chorus-

Pretty, pretty please

Don’t you ever, ever feel

Like you’re less than

less than perfect

Pretty, pretty please

If you ever, ever feel

Like you’re nothing

You are perfect to me

This is going to come out as a jumble of garbled thoughts, but please bear with me. I know the best people on Earth (congrats, that means you). I wish all of my people could see themselves how I see them. Your contributions, your humor, your ability to laugh at yourself, how you love me - it all astounds me. When you think that you are anything less than amazing I just want to shake you and show you how I see you.

The tone of that chorus is almost begging and I get that. We want those we love to love themselves and to be happy. Everyone needs someone they can turn to when they feel like they're nothing.

"you are perfect to me"

And Taylor Came Too

My mom's BFF made this Taylor Head for us to take with us to the MTC.

We had a grand 'ole time.

I think we'll keep him.

Have a great week!

Last Saturday I went out to dinner with one of my roommates and our good guy friend. We're used to seeing the server write thanks or whatever on the check, but none of us have ever seen a server draw a heart around his/her name.

So this is what our buddy left for her. And yes, he left his actual number - I just smudged it out.

I know some awesome people

Miss Popular

Huh. Apparently when you blog about a sad heart you get double the readers.

My blog stats are huge today!

Well, if you're new to the blog, welcome. I promise, it's not always this sappy. Although, if y'all like it, I can make it a common occurrence. I kid.

On a happier note -

Have a GREAT weekend!

And So It Is

Remember this? And this? 

(you absolutely have to read these to make any sense of this post)

Well guess what? I became the exception! I did! For two months I have been dating a truly wonderful guy. He hurt me a bit before (that second post) but came back with a vengeance and better than that - he came back with sincerity. He is the only guy that is currently in the "best friends" category, and believe me, that's not an easy group to join. He challenges me, he is MUCH smarter than me, he inspires me to be better, and he's just plain 'ole great (great is kind of a big deal in my dictionary). 

And tonight we broke up. 

Here's the thing, you can meet someone who meets all of your "criteria" and even introduces you to new "must haves" but when it's not there you have to recognize that. We luckily both feel this way. I am not in love with him and he is not in love with me, even though we're best friends. Mutual, phew! How long do you date before you just have to throw in the towel? Two months ;) We tried, we love each other like good friends do, but that wasn't enough.

I'm disappointed. I'm suffering my first heartbreak because I wanted to fall in love with him. Life with him would be one grand adventure. You can't force it though - you can't force the love, and this I know for sure. I'm grateful for him and for who he is - I wouldn't have him any other way. No, I wouldn't change a thing.

Tonight while we were sorting this out I just cried like a big baby because it hit me that now our relationship will change. When you're going through a mutual breakup where you have no bad feelings it doesn't hurt to be completely honest, right? So I was, I told him (through the tears) that I have already started to miss him. Boy, do I ever. 

And so it is.

This is a good thing, this is a right thing.

xoxo

"Patience serves as a protection against wrongs as clothes do against cold. For if you put on more clothes as the cold increases, it will have no power to hurt you. So in like manner you must grow in patience when you meet with great wrongs, and they will be powerless to vex your mind."

- Leonardo Da Vinci

Commercial Police

My former roommate, Julie, and I always said that there should be some sort of approval process for commercials. Not the FCC to regulate swear words or racy content, no - there needs to be some sort of panel to approve only funny and entertaining commercials. Of course, Julie and I would have been the only two people on this panel.

Beer commercials normally do a pretty good job of keeping it funny - approved.

Birth control commercials.....ugh. We can make this topic a bit lighter, can't we? And I don't mean showing a group of girl friends out to dinner casually bringing up their birth control method and rambling on about the facts and side effects. It's just weird.

Car commercials are either driving in the desert and kicking up dust, dropping lots of weight in the back of a truck, or facts, facts and more facts. Boring.

Insurance commercials are about 50/50. Sometimes they're serious, sometimes they attempt the humor (although, I'm just about done with that little gecko).

I really appreciate what Kotex did recently - check it out.....

Yes.

Ooof. Sing it, Girl.

Upheaval

This is an interesting time to be alive. There is so much political upheaval in the world today. 

It seems to be a division between generations - the older ones want business as usual, while the youth are demanding change. It is their future, after all.

I just hope and pray that whatever comes from this time of unrest is a benefit to the people, not the removal of one dictatorship for another, younger regime.

LOL, etc

I hate "text language". I hate what's happening to the English language because we are now forcing ourselves to communicate in 140 characters or less.

Granted, I seriously dislike talking on the phone but I refuse to join the OMG/LOL/BRB/LMAO crowd. If you can't fit your conversation into a text (with appropriate grammar) then fine - call. 

 I don't understand why people can't get the "your/you're" and "there/their" thing straight.

Obviously, not everyone feels this way, fine. But can we all agree to try a little bit harder? Sheesh.

I got this off of last Sunday's PostSecret.

This could have been one that I sent in.

Life is good, life is beautiful. Your reality is amazing. I hope you love it!

To Kindle or Not to Kindle

I've been thinking about getting a Kindle for a while now because as we know, I read a lot of books. I have only heard good things about the Kindle but the one thing holding me back is that I love having books. I love them in my hands and I can't wait to have a cool library in my future house. So naturally, I collect pictures of libraries and different ways to display books.

I will have a cool display. Just you wait!

Thanks, Dad

I got these images in an email from my sweet dad. Apparently they are all real advertisements. How far we've come! 

Friends from school - don't show Will! He would like them TOO much!

saved my favorite for last....

Happy Friday!

See You Soon

And with that, she is gone.

See you in 18 months, Maria!

(more pictures coming, I just love this one)

"Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances."

- Thomas Jefferson

Birthday Buddies

We stopped by my grandpa's house today so that Maria could say goodbye before she leaves. These two share a special bond because they share a birthday. My grandpa has always called her his birthday girl.

He's 93(!) and I'm pretty sure that Maria expects him to not be around when she gets back. Every time I leave I think that that will be my final goodbye, but my grandpa is resilient! He still lives independently and refuses to live with my parents or in a home.

He's so cool. That's a fact. One thing that makes him even cooler?

His name is Archie.

What A Day!

Can I just say that the best part of leaving those you love is that you get to come back to them?

Today was wonderful! I had lunch with Becca, went to UVU and saw some of the best people I know, and hung out with Ashley and Becca until I had to get going. Ahhh, those are some good quality people. Indeed. I could wax on and on but let's keep it simple - these ladies make me incredibly happy.

Then I drove to North Salt Lake and had dinner and watched The Bachelor finale with Aubry. Check out her post here and be sure to read her original post on our first meeting. That girl is hilarious! So sad that we only met a week before I moved to DC.

I wish I had more time to see everyone I love, but with Maria leaving on Wednesday it's now back to strictly family time. If I didn't see you this trip - don't worry, I'll always be back!

Be The Change

I'm feeling a little helpless lately.

I recognize how blessed I am and I want to make a difference in someone's world. I have worked in the Deaf community for a loooong time and I have never felt that my actions have made a difference. It can be (very) hard sometimes, but that doesn't mean that you give up the fight. This helplessness has been building for so long that I fear it is about to explode. That wouldn't be pretty.

I feel a very strong and distinct need to go somewhere and serve. Maybe I could serve within my community, both DC and the Deaf community, but I also want to get out of here so bad. Maybe it's the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Maybe it's the amazing and inspiring youth lead revolts in Egypt and Tunisia. Maybe it's the siblings in far off places that are influencing my craziness right now, but it's not just about the adventure.

It's about the blessings.

Oh man, I've been blessed. Now it's time to bless someone else. Any ideas?

Paddy was driving down the street in a sweat because he had an important meeting and couldn't find a parking place. Looking up to heaven he said, 'Lord take pity on me. If you find me a parking place I will go to Mass every Sunday for the rest of me life and give up me Irish Whiskey!'

Miraculously, a parking place appeared.

Paddy looked up again and said, 'Never mind, I found one.'

And this is what I will be putting on my wall to mock me when I want to take a late afternoon nap instead of going to the gym

I Almost Didn't Make It

I am now in Utah and will be here for the next week. My sister, Maria, is going on her mission next week and I have a big something I'm doing this weekend. (How vague on my end, I know). It will be a long trip but it will be BUSY!

I got to the airport 2.5 hours easrly today, blah. I was up far too late last night to not fall asleep during that waiting time. Yeah, my flight left at 10:30 so of course I fell asleep (on my own lap) right around 9:55. I woke with a start at 10:20, grabbed my bag and ran to my gate - limping the whole time because my right leg was totally asleep because I folded myself in half and slept on my lap for almost 30 minutes.

Luckily, my flight hadn't started boarding yet. The only effect from the sleeping incident was the super cool limp and the sleep lines on my face.

I Miss Home

Lately I have been really, really missing home. I love DC and I love my life out here but I think I need a dose of San Diego. 

You know the phrase "home is where the heart is"? My heart is split in three separate but equal pieces. The first is San Diego, I grew up there and it is where I am most comfortable. I love, love, love San Diego and I sometimes wish that I was supposed to be living there right now. The second place is Utah with my family. I wasn't happy living there but home is wherever my family is. They are my rock and my joy. The third is DC. This place is incredible and just so insanely right for me right now.

My San Diego heart is calling. I'm coming home soon!

But I Don't Wanna!

I don't want to work out - but I don't want to pay $5
I don't want to go to Institute tonight - but I know that means I need to
I don't want to do my laundry - but I'm an adult so I will
I don't want to go to bed early tonight - but I know I'll be a cranky bum tomorrow
I don't want to do my taxes - but I'd rather not be in IRS prison, I hear the food is gross
I don't want to forgive a certain someone - but.....(still a work in progress)
I don't want to grow up - but time stops for no one

Apparently I needed a good whine tonight.

Cool Boy

Which one of my cool friends is going to get this hoodie for her cool kid???

Ugh. Sometimes I just want a child for the amusement and dress-up factor.

"If you want to be respected by others the great thing is to respect yourself. Only by that, only by self-respect will you compel others to respect you."

- Fyodor Dostoyevsky

You Have No Idea.....

.....just how much I love this!

The Obsession Continues....

Sprinkles has landed! These guys are the originals in chic cupcakes and they have finally made it to DC!

Confession time - I have never, ever been to Sprinkles. Gulp. They made it big after I left California and now that they have expanded to the East, you better believe I will be making up for lost time.

I know that cupcakes are uber trendy and whatnot and are most likely on their way out BUT my love for cupcakes has a much longer history than this little trend. My elementary school would hold a cupcake sale every Wednesday as a fundraiser for the PTA. My mom, being the super mom that she is, would always donate cupcakes and help run the sales. 

Every Wednesday for many, many years I would get a delicious, Rosie made cupcake. I still think hers are the best - honestly there is something about them that I just haven't found in store bought. Since all my siblings went to the same elementary school I was eating cupcakes well into high school. Woot.

Fun fact - I would show up at the sale to hang with my mama or just to pick up a cupcake or two (you know, to support the PTA) and my mom would call her friends over to watch "Rachel's trick". I can shove a whole cupcake, frosting and all, in my mouth without getting any on my face. Kind of gross, but when you have limited talents you really cling to stuff like shoving pastries in your pie hole.

See you soon Sprinkles!

What I'm Listening To

My current musical crushes, in no particular order:

Grenade by Bruno Mars

Hallelujuah by Rufus Wainwright

Runaway Baby by Bruno Mars

Marry You by Bruno Mars, covered by the cast of Glee 

(yes, I am crushing on Bruno hardcore right now)

Stand By Me by Ben E. King

Forget You by Cee Lo Green

P.Y.T. by Michael Jackson

Beautiful Disaster by Jon McLaughlin

Teenage Dream by Katy Perry

Fidelity by Regina Spektor

Enchanted by Taylor Swift

Yes, I really like Top 40 music, sue me. These are just on my radar right now and they make me happy - hooray for happiness! Happy Friday, ya'll!

Trendy Potter

How cool are these pillows?!? Will someone with actual creative talent please make them for me?

Thanks.

I had a long Harry Potter talk last night with Mr.X and he admitted that only now will he consider reading the series. Apparently the hysteria has calmed down enough for him to not feel like he's following a trend. Gross. I say, Harry is not a trend, Harry has staying power therefore accept it and start the wizarding love.

There are plenty of regrettable trends (ahem, Ed Hardy)(no, I never. Don't you worry) but this is Harry we're talking about. Granted, it's not the most academic writing, but it's imaginative and enjoyable! 

Harry for Life.

I Normally Hate This Song

Alumnus

Ummm, weird. Last night I got a call from the university I graduated from. They said that they were updating records, etc but please - they were begging for money. I loved my school, well, I loved my program so if I will be giving money to anyone, it will be my program and not the school at large. 

I wanted to ask how their fundraising efforts were going because if they're calling me they have got to be scraping the bottom of the barrel. I think we need a few more years before we start cranking out prestigious (i.e. wealthy) alumni. We'll get there!

Go Wolverines!