This Just In:

It's cold here.

I was freezing this afternoon.

It rained.

It was cold, cold rain.

Of course, it's most likely not colder than the place I left behind.

My mom told me they had already shoveled three times today when she called me this afternoon around 4.

Craziness.

Surprise!

By the time this posts, I will have surprised my sister and her kids in sunnier-than-Utah (at least I hope so!) CA.

It'll be a quick trip (I'll be heading back home on Friday) but I'm excited.

It'll be fun to spend some time with them.

It's Christmas Time!

Merry Christmas Eve!

I can't tell you how much I love the Christmas season. I love the constant reminders of our Savior and His birth, and consequently His life and example.

Although it's not Thanksgiving, I'm going to list a few things I'm grateful for:

- my family
i have learned so much from all of them, and i love spending time with all of them - which i think is in and of itself a blessing
my gratitude here is also for all of my in-laws who are wonderful additions to the family

- the gospel of Jesus Christ
i absolutely know that my knowledge and belief in my Savior and my Father's plan for me has and will continue to be the driving force behind my choices

- my life
i really am thankful for this life that i have lived and get to continue living. by no means has it been perfect, but it's been great

There are many, many other things I'm grateful for, but I think they all stem from the above three.


I hope you all have a very Merry and wonderful Christmas!

Blast it All, it Makes Sense Now

I'm sick.

I've had a sore throat and runny nose for most of the day.

I have a rotten, rotten headache right now.

BAM.

Mystery of sleepless nights solved.

Yay!

But, blah.

So Cool

Christmas Excitement?

Is that why I've been having a hard time sleeping these past few nights? Flashbacks to Christmas anticipations as a kid? Not that I don't get excited for it now... it's just generally not the excitement that keeps me from sleeping for multiple nights before Christmas.

Maybe it's because of a phantom kitty whose purring I swear I can hear right now.

But I'm not sure where she is.

Maybe it's because that same kitty breaks out of her phantom-like state and jumps up on my bed to crawl onto my stomach and purr in my face.

Pretty cute, but it's less cute when it happens
at 4, 2, or even 5 in the morning.

Maybe it's because I want to be awake to enjoy every last minute of not being in school and having to worry about assignments.

Which I will admit, is a pretty awesome feeling.

Whatever it is, I wish it would still let me fall into the blissful unawareness of sleep.

Here's hoping!

ps - let me just say how much I'm hoping that the
kitty and my pup will end up liking each other
as much as the two in the picture.
they have about a week to get
to that stage.

I don't know that it will happen.

Scenes From Temple Square

Complete Four Finals -

I Love It!

I've blogged a bit about this movie before, but I just had to again.

This is my "go to" movie (I'm not really sure what I mean by that, so don't ask.).

I can put this movie on at any time, in any mood, and I will love it.

I love the cast.
I love the story.
I love the soundtrack.
I love how clean it is.
I love it!

It's excellent background noise for me. All the music in the soundtrack is soft and soothing (I own the soundtrack too. It's beautiful.). I have all the dialogue memorized (practically), and it doesn't distract me at all to have it playing in the background. I've watched it probably four times in the last week/week and a half (mostly as background, so I haven't necessarily watched it four times).

It's one that I feel I can recommend to anyone and regardless of their movie standards, I don't have to warn them about any scenes or language. It's fantastic.

it's playing right now.
while I study for my last final.
I just had to take a break to share the
fabulousness of "Sabrina" with everyone.

ps - I feel as thought I should add that I am definitely partial to the Harrison Ford/Julia Ormond/Greg Kinnear version
The three of them are fabulous.
I love Audrey Hepburn, but her version of the movie just doesn't do the same thing for me.
I've never been a Bogart fan (though I do love Casablanca), so that's probably a big part of it.
However, personality-wise, I can definitely relate more to Julia Ormond's character than Audrey Hepburn's. Technically they're the same character, but Ormond is more introvert and Hepburn more extrovert.

That's just my take on it.

Watch it and let me know what you think!

pps - some of my favorite lines:

Sabrina - I don't like to think of anyone as a lost cause.

David - You're talking about my life!
Linus - I pay for your life. My life makes your life possible.
David - I resent that.
Linus - So do I!

Sabrina - More isn't always better Linus, sometimes it's just more.

Okay, I'm done.
Promise.

Going to Washington DC

I just found out that I got accepted to attend a Health Education Advocacy Summit this coming March!

I'm hoping to get there early so I can tour the city a little bit. Never been to DC before.

I'm so excited!

It's About Time

I finally changed the two clocks in my room that I have neglected since this past time change. I actually have three clocks in my room, but one of them is atomic and takes care of itself.

I think what got me to do it was the fact that I still need to prepare for a final that I'm taking today at 3 and I need as much time as possible to get ready (hence the blogging... wait... hmm...).

All right, all right - back to business!

One Down, Three to Go

I completed my first grad school final today.

Hmm... let me say that again.

I completed my first grad school final today!

It wasn't horrible.

It wasn't fantastic.

But whatever it was, it's done.

done!

Three more left.

Tomorrow's may be not fun at all, but it may not be horrible.

We'll just have to see.

Thursday's will be the easiest (it's a group final, and really won't be bad).

Friday's is kind of a wild card.

This teacher was slightly unpredictable with the midterm, so we're all a little unsure of what to expect from the final.

But either way, by 2:00 pm Friday, 18 December 2009, I will be officially done with my first semester of grad school!

And Rebecca, to answer your question - I really do love grad school.

I don't necessarily love everything about it... but I love it!

Merry Christmas!

Ta Da!

Classes are done.

Four finals to go.

I love grad school.

Inner Struggle

I've been trying to be healthier ... I lost 20 lbs. this past summer and just recently have lost 5 more.

I want to be healthy.
I want to lose weight.
I want to take care of my body.
I want the benefits that come from exercising and eating well.

Right now...

my taste buds are saying -

(I don't care how cheap they are, their cheese pizza... mmMMmm!)

and my mind is trying to remind me that I really like these things -

Let the Madness Begin!

So... I started my training today. If you've looked at the schedule you'll see that next Saturday I'm supposed to run 12 miles. The farthest I've gone since the marathon was 6.2 miles and that was just a couple of weeks after the marathon. Other than that the farthest I've gone is 3.1 miles and that was on Thanksgiving. Other than that... well... I really haven't gone running.

I'd ideally take it much slower in training, but the training schedule that I like to follow (Jeff Galloway's walk/run plan) is a 32-week training. I don't have 32 weeks. I have 19. Of necessity, I've got to jump right in. Luckily this Saturday I get to warm up with only 4 (I still love how I now think of these distances as 'only,' when only a couple of years ago it was more like 'four whole miles?! no way!') before I hit myself with 12. However, because it's a walk/run thing, I can take it a bit slower than I normally would and not feel badly about it.

Thanks for all the well wishes for the marathon. I need them! (:

My Life for the Next... Months

just looking at it scares me.

sorry it's blurry.
when you click on it to enlarge it's clear.

Apparently, I Dare

I did it.

I signed up.

Not for the half either.

For the whole 26.2.

anyone know where I can find a cheap treadmill?

Do I Dare?!?

I've had the Salt Lake Marathon registration page open in my browser for over 24 hours.

Not sure if I want to do the marathon, or the half marathon.

Both would be wonderful.

Argh!

I Think It's a Good Time of Year For This

Go here, and take a minute to say thanks to our brave soldiers.

I Don't Think I Can Embed This One

go here.

I Need to Listen to Her More Often

she soothes me.

can't understand a word she's saying,
but I love it.

I pretty much love this whole cd.

And He Shall Now Be Known As...

can you read it? it says "DINGO THE GREAT"
(this was his tag being laser-engraved)

I bought him a tag at PetSmart over a week ago but held off on the engraving.
I was thinking something simple:

Dingo
home number
cell number

My dad suggested "Dingo the Great"

I liked it.

I was given four lines.
Perfect.

Dingo
the Great
home number
cell number

and here's the great one:

not a great picture.
don't blame him.

I just love knowing that he has a tag on him now.
It seems like he's finally owned.
And if he ever gets lost
(which hasn't happened in the last...
years, so I don't know why I'm worried),
he can easily be given back to us!

although, thinking back on it,
maybe i should have put something like:
"this ain't your dog, give him back."
hmm...
i may be getting a second tag.

Question:

When is it okay to hug strange men and run out of a building screaming your head off?*

Answer:

When the

Cougars

beat the

Utes

in overtime!

*because I did both of those things

Go See

this movie -

you'll thank me later.

What Are YOU Thankful For?

I love this:



ps - since I've discovered this and this, I've spent too much time on both.
also, did you know you can do this?

ps

don't miss this post. i kind of posted over it, but it's one of the coolest things on here, so watch it if you can!

): ): ):

An hour or so after I posted my excitement for tomorrow's concert, I found out...

it's POSTPONED.

All I heard was that it was going to be rescheduled early next year.

Emily (my co-concert-goer) and I were hoping that it would not be rescheduled in February as she is going to be married on 13 February.

Then I saw Heather's comment (thanks again, Heather) that got me to the venue site saying it was rescheduled for 19 Feb.

Emily can't go.

I'm looking for another co-concert-goer.

Reason for the cancellation - Elton John has swine flu and e coli, and Billy Joel recently came down with a "mysterious illness."

I hope neither one of them dies.

we bought our tickets in August.
this doubles my anticipation time.
i'm not so fond of that.

Tomorrow

I'm so excited.

It Makes Me Want to Gag

You May Want to Watch This More Than Once (I Did)

info on him here.

One of the Worst Things in Life

... is not being able to fall asleep when you want to.

I've been trying for over five hours.

I think I've finally hit my turning point.

My eyes are burning.

peace out.

Dingo's First 5k!!!

A week ago Saturday I loaded Dingo into the car and headed up north a little way. I had signed up for a 5k that was organized to raise money for dogs that assist the disabled. The reason I signed up was because I saw, "well-behaved dogs on leash are welcome."

Dingo is very well-behaved.

I went planning on walking the whole thing. Dingo's getting kind of old (though I'm pretty much in denial anytime someone mentions that) and I knew he wouldn't be able to run the whole way. (I used to take him running with me almost daily - 2 miles regularly - and he was great. But he started slowing down and having a harder time with the constant running. Sad!)

To my surprise, he wanted to run right at the beginning because he was getting excited seeing everyone else start running. So we ran for a bit, but I stopped before he was ready to stop. Since I hadn't planned on running, I wasn't wearing my (now, necessary) knee brace. Oops. We did run again later-on and we ran across the finish line. Yay!

Dingo and me before the race.

Some of our spectators:

Dingo and me after the race.

There was a reptile rescue group that had some cool snakes and lizards on display. There was a large python, and this little alligator:

There was also a coyote:

I didn't have the heart to tell the guys that coyotes aren't reptiles.
his name is ... I completely spaced his name, but he's 6 months old.
when I reached over to pet him, he started licking my hands. then he did the playful gnawing that puppies do sometimes.
so cute.
and SO soft.

people said that Dingo looked like he was related to the coyote.
maybe they're distant cousins.

The day's highlights:

- beating a dog across the finish line that Dingo early-on picked as the one to beat
- a lady coming up to me, pointing to Dingo and saying, "Is this..." I looked at her, not at all sure of what she was going to ask, and she finished with, "I heard someone has a coyote...?"
I told her that Dingo is just part dingo, but that he was flattered to be thought of as a coyote.

For some pictures of Dingo's relatives (some of whom I think he looks remarkably similar to) click here.

ps - this was my first race since the marathon and mud run in the spring/early summer
i loved it!

More of My Happy Birthday

Scenes from my walk:


Scenes from dinner:

pictured: center - strawberry shortcake
starting from upper left corner, moving clockwise - my nephew w/ a noodle hanging out of his mouth, my sister Caitlin and me, me with dessert, my nephew using a straw for the first time, my parents, and avocado egg rolls
(if you ever go to the cheesecake factory, eat the avocado egg rolls as an appetizer - wow!)

My Happy Birthday!

Yesterday I turned 28.

It was a good day.

I started out by going to the temple.
(the first time I've done that on my birthday. i like it. i think i'll do it again.)

Then I went to lunch with a friend.
Olive Garden.
(:
(came home with a boxes for leftover lunch and leftover dessert.)

Went on a walk with a friend and my Dingo.
beautiful day!
(decided that we should have the bonfire we've been talking about having for the last month)

Went to dinner with my family-that-I'm-living-with (minus Rob - he had to work) at the Cheesecake Factory
(my first time there. it was really good. for dessert i had... strawberry shortcake - at my sister's suggestion. it was a good suggestion.)
(and I came home with leftover dinner, and leftover dessert)

Had an appointment with my Bishop. The executive secretary brought me a cupcake to celebrate. (:

And ended with a bonfire in the backyard.
so fun.

Ben, Annikki, Robbie (in the flames, look closely!), Justin, and me

Ben, Robbie, Justin, me, and Annikki
we need to do it again.

It was a great day.

bonus: I didn't do any reading for class.
I should have done some reading for class... oops.

More Gems From Grad School

Jennie Gave Me Lunch, She Gave Me Dinner, And She Gave Me Her Pants

How many friends do you have that would let you invite yourself over for lunch, then encourage you to stay for dinner, and let you wear their pants when your own ripped?

everyone should have a Jennie.

and in case you were wondering, no, I did not forget my siblings whose birthdays were in September.
I'll get to their posts.

Promise.

Fun Theory

3.5 ... and then 2

last Tuesday I got about three and a half hours of sleep.

last night, I got about 2.

grad school is going to kill me.

at least on Tuesdays.

Halloween Highlights

This Halloween included:

completing an epidemiology test that I had been working on on-and-off for the past two days
answering the door maybe 10-15 times to give eager trick-or-treaters treats (no tricks)
taking cute pictures of my nephew w/ the pups
cleaning up throw up after making my pup eat too much
(perhaps more on that later...)
buying food after being reminded that I'm the one in charge of dinner tomorrow
(listening to Christmas music while running errands)
using cutex sponge nail polish remover for the first time
(I'm sold. it's amazing! - I bought mine at a store, but here's the product)
taking the pups on a longer-than-usual(lately)-walk because it was such a beautiful day outside
more than doubling my steps from yesterday, but still not reaching the 10,000 goal
(that gives you a clue as to how pathetic yesterday was)
looking forward to an extra hour of sleep, woo hoo!
getting ready for November!

I hope you had a great Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

A Bonus:



In case you want to learn it yourself:



another bonus:

Oops.

Yesterday my unknown whereabouts and accidentally-silenced-cell cause a minor manhunt to ensue.


I had said I'd probably be home around 4.
I had an appointment with my home teachers at 6:30 or 7.
I didn't leave for home until almost 7.
I completely spaced that my home teachers were coming over.


Phone calls were made.
People were worried.
The manhunt included 2 out-of-state sisters, 2 younger brothers also on campus, time-checking the last emails that I sent out, and 1 good friend/former co-worker.
I came home alive.
I had 10 missed phone calls, 2 voice messages, and 3 text messages on my phone.
And a couple of emails.


Oops.

Because it Snowed Yesterday...

... I listened to Christmas music this morning! And I sang Christmas songs yesterday while on a walk with the pups (they don't mind me singing - another reason why they are excellent walking companions!).

For your listening pleasure -

if you skip ahead to about 2 min. into it you'll skip all of their talking

don't worry, I'll post it again when it's closer to Christmas

ps - while listening to the music in the car today, I realized that I had never put together a great Christmas play list. that's one project I'll be working on. I love Christmas music!

Have I Completely Lost My Mind???

Just now I was trying to look up a 5k that my sister, sister-in-law, and I ran last year, and that my sister-in-law and I are planning on running this year (my sister was an out-of-town visitor last year, otherwise, I'm sure she'd run it again). When I typed in the name of it, I saw hits for the race for 2009. I purposely typed in the name of the race and 2010, sure that I had just come across an old website the first time.

Oh dear.

Published...

... Photographer...??

I just found out that in January 2010 a picture that I took of the temple will be published in this magazine.

Yay!

Okay, here's the story:

Remember this picture that I gave to John and Sharla?
John works in the Multicultural Office (where the magazine is based) and heard that needed a picture of the Draper Temple. He asked me if I'd mind if he shared the album that I had shared with him and Shar full of pictures of the temple. Of course I didn't mind and told him so.

He shared it.

They chose one.

The rest is history.

(or will be as soon as January rolls around)

Midterm

Today I took my first grad school midterm.

That's about the best thing I can say for it.

I'll let you know if that changes once it's scored.

Somehow I doubt it will.

I think I'm getting sick again.

All I want to do is crawl into bed and sleep.

And it's not even 6:00.

Hmm... Good Idea.

I came across someone's blog listing 30 things they'd like to do before they turn 30. I thought it was a good idea, and since the time-frame is relevant to me (28 next month!), I thought I'd create my own.

Here goes:

(in no particular order)

1 - run another marathon (and complete it in under 6 hours - so run a second or third if that's what it takes to make the time goal)
2 - run another half marathon
3 - hike Mt. Timp.
4 - go on a Mediterranean cruise
5 - live abroad for a little while
6 - finish my Master's degree
7 - de-junk everything in my room (closet, drawers, etc.)
8 - find a place to do service regularly (or multiple places)
9 - fall in love*
10 - lose any and all extra weight that i am currently carrying
11 - keep said weight off
12 - go paragliding or hang gliding (or both!)
13 - read Les Mis (all of it this time)
14 - see Victoria Falls
15 - try skiing
16 - try snowboarding
17 - finish the blanket that I started almost a year ago
18 - find a job (after graduating)
19 - get a bike (and use it... by participating in a bike race)
20 - learn Spanish
21 - visit my relatives in Mexico
22 - re-learn to ride a motorcycle and take myself through the canyon, Park City to Provo
23 - actually use my SCUBA certification somewhere other than the Midway crater
24 - retain my HIV/AIDS instructor certification by teaching the required 1 class a year
25 - have my first kiss* (nope, that's not a mistype - in case you were wondering)
26 - settle into my own place (after graduation)
27 - take a dance class (ballroom perhaps?)
28 - use my sewing machine for the second time (more would be good too)
29 - make myself a cute dress (if I don't do that the second time I use the machine, I guess that guarantees a third usage)
30 - have an "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" marathon party with former roommates as we've discussed a few times

*perhaps these were silly to set as goals. i'm trying to think of other things i'd like to do and since this list was created spur-of-the-moment, i feel like i have a right to swap out any and everything that i want to swap out. until 1 jan. 2010. by then, i figure the list should be stable or i'll have no hope of completion. let me know if you have any suggestions for things to add!

The reason most goals are not achieved is that we spend our time doing second things first.

- Robert McKain

If we could first know where we are, and whither we are tending, we could better judge what to do and how to do it.

- Abraham Lincoln

The common conception is that motivation leads to action, but the reverse is true - action precedes motivation. You have to "prime the pump" and get the juice flowing, which motivates you to work on your goals. Getting momentum going is the most difficult part of the job, and often taking the first step is enough to prompt you to make the best of your day.

- Robert McKain

A Little Humor, and Then...

Have you seen this?
It's hilarious.


However, I don't care how little he may or may not have done.

What concerns me is that he's surrounded himself with people like this:



I don't care what Mao Tse Tung said. His horrific actions led to the deaths of millions and millions of people. Surely, surely, she could have quoted someone else to get the same point across. Or just left it at Mother Theresa if there really was no one else to quote.

It makes me angry that people like this are responsible for running our country.

I really want to swear right now.

I Swear They Somehow Know What I'm Doing

I think the pups get kind of offended every time they see me using a lint-roller. They kind of look at me with this, "i can't believe you're doing that... i thought you loved me..." expression.

Maybe it's just guilt.

But I also feel that way after I've given them a good petting session then go to the sink and wash my hands. They follow me to the sink (they follow me everywhere), and look at me like I just hurt their feelings.

Blast.

I have a really hard time sleeping when there's a moth in my bedroom. It's something about the possibility of their fluttery wings flapping on my face that kind of freaks me out.

I mention this because I just saw a moth flying around.

It's going to be a long night.

update: apparently there's a name for what i'm feeling.

Everything Today is Thoroughly Modern

I've been listening to the "Thoroughly Modern Millie" soundtrack on and off for the last couple of days. I'm kind of loving it. Okay. I'm really loving it. In my listening I've discovered that I love hearing Gavin Creel and Sutton Foster sing. So much so that I'm pretty sure I'm going to buy each of their albums.

Here's Gavin singing:

Here's Sutton:

And here's something from the actual play:

As much as I love the movie (and I do!) I must say that I've like the play versions I've seen maybe a little better than the movie. They have some fun songs that the movie leaves out.

If you haven't already seen it (or even if you have) you should see it (again!)!

Light is Good.

I just put three new lightbulbs in my fan/light fixture. I've been living with one for the last... too long. It's amazing how different things look now. I like it. A lot.

Any Suggestions?

Kind of gross, but since I already mentioned it, I may as well ask...

Gargling warm salt water doesn't always do the trick. Right now, (one of) the reason(s) I can't sleep is because there's a mucus buildup in my throat. I kind of gag just thinking about it, but that unfortunately doesn't help it loosen.

Anyone have the same problem when you're sick? And a way to get rid of it?

just curious.

Right Now...

I'm lying on my bed watching Shall We Dance (not the J Lo, Richard Gere one).

Here's a sweet scene from the movie:

I can't move like that even when I don't have wheels on my feet!
They say it took over 150 takes to get the scene filmed. I'm amazed at how comfortable Astaire looks dancing on skates. I love watching him dance.

Warm Salt Water, Chicken Noodle Soup, and White Christmas

For the past few days I've been keeping these items close:

(not shown: the cherry chloraseptic that I begin and end my day with)

I've spent a lot of time here:

And these two have been my near-constant companions:

Today is much better than yesterday. I had been sick for a coupel of weeks, but it's gotten worse this week. Yesterday seemed to be the peak of everything. I was coughing a lot, my nose was almost constantly running, and any nap I tried to get was full of restless tossing and turning.

Today I'm still sick, but I think I've reached the turning point. I got up around 10, watched a movie, and fell asleep for another 2 hours (today my nap was very restful, a healing sleep). It was almost three by the time I got dressed. And by dressed I mean I changed out of my pajamas into sweatpants and a sweatshirt.

To explain the title: I read that gargling warm salt water can help loosen and clear out mucus that's caught in the throat. So I gargled. And it worked. (side note: did you know that it's possible to gag on water that you gargle? it is.) One of my professors mentioned drinking lots of chicken noodle soup. It sounded so good, that I went to the store today and got some. It was great. Last, I watched White Christmas last night. Yes, it's the middle of October where I live too, but that's such a good movie that I feel like it's watchable anytime of year. I stand by that. I loved it.

That's all.

"What Up Dawg?"

... nope. After 12 hours, it still doesn't feel natural.

I was put up as an example of how certain things sound natural when coming from a black person to a black group... and not so natural when coming from a white girl to a black group.

I'm in an HIV/AIDS instructor course this week through the Red Cross. This awesome black lady from St. Louis, Missouri is teaching it. It's specifically for African Americans so we'll know how to relate to them culturally. Only thing is - there are three Africans (not African Americans) in the class, two white girls (myself included) and a Hispanic guy in the class. It's kind of a funny dynamic. But it's a great course.

Oh My Goodness

read the story here.

Did You See This?

You can read a bit more about it here.

And you can see Bill O'Reilly call Jackman a patriot - here.

Another Favorite

I "discovered" this while waiting in the chapel for a temple session to begin:

Isaiah 26:3-4

3 - Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on
thee: because he trusteth in thee.
4 - Trust ye in the LORD for ever:
for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

How beautiful! I actually tried to memorize it before the session started and did... but then shortly after the session started I forgot the exact words, but remembered the idea.

How wonderful to have "perfect peace" when we keep our mind on the Lord. And we're able to keep our mind on the Lord because we trust Him.

I just love it!

-- for those of you wondering if I regularly open up to Isaiah and read... no...
sadly, I don't understand much of what he writes,
so I don't spend a lot of time there.
I stumbled across these verses after following along with the organist playing
"The Lord is My Shepherd."
I love the hymns and the provided scriptural references!

Another Jumper?

My new (still unnamed) betta has been making splashing noises a few times in the last hour or so. Every time I look over (after I hear the noise) everything looks normal.

I wonder if it's a trick.

I put a manila file over most of the top to keep him in there.

I just hope I didn't pick out another suicidal fish.

I Love Dancing Babies!

The Boys Are Back!

Did you see the premiere last night?
If you missed it, you can watch it here.
(i love the dance at the very beginning by the professional male dancers - so talented! i can't find video of it yet, but if/when i do, i'll be sure to post it!)

And don't worry, only the celebrity males danced last night, tonight you can still catch the celebrity females.

A few of my favorites (in no particular order):

Donny Osmand
seriously people, this guy can move

The Snowboarder Kid
I think his name is Louis something(?), not too shabby

Michael Irvin
not the best so far, but I think he has potential

The Iron Chef Host - Mark...
I think he's going to get better, and he started off fairly well

Tom Delay
for an older guy, he's not half bad, and you can tell he has fun with it

I also like the ultimate fighter guy - mostly because it seems like he is the farthest out of his comfort zone and you can see he's really trying. It's kind of endearing.

Ashley Hamilton, son of George Hamilton (a former DWTS competitor) is on the show this season. After a motorcycle accident and being in a wheelchair for a year, he's taken up dancing (I'm not sure how long ago the accident was, but I think it's been quite a while now.) Sadly, he's not as good as his dad was. I think he might be the first male voted off.

The first male I'd like to see voted off is Aaron Carter. He gives me the creeps. But, he's pretty good and the judges seem to like him so I think he'll be staying around for a while.

See George dance:



Did you ever see Mr. Peterman (John O'Hurley) dance?
Unfortunately I didn't watch at all until the very last show, and then later I saw the rematch between him and the girl who ended up winning (unjustly, I might add!) - and he won the rematch.
Anyway, now watch John dance!:

Draper Temple

Last Monday, I finally figured out what I wanted to give as a gift to some friends that had gotten married a month earlier (sometimes I'm a little slow on these things). They had gotten married in the Draper Temple, so I decided to take a night picture of the temple, frame it, and give it to them (hoping that they didn't already have a picture of this temple).

Here were a few of my numerous attempts:

One thing I love about digital is that you can take as many as you want and then sift through to find something good.

This is the one I ended up using:

And this is what it looked like when it was framed:

detail of the frame:

I liked it so much that after I gave it to them I went back to the store and bought the same exact frame for myself and printed out the picture again. It helped that Michael's was having a great sale on frames and I got it for 55% off.

Thanks to Faith for helping me figure out how to print a good quality picture from iPhoto!
and
Thanks to Caitlin for helping me find a beautiful frame!

ps - I really like taking pictures. (:

Getting Dirty

Yesterday my brother-in-law taught me how to change the oil in my car. And by taught me I mean - he told me everything that needed to be done and pointed everything out, but then let me do the actual work. It was pretty sweet. I'm now hiring out...

the overall after-effect:

and now for some close-ups:

if my facialist* only knew...

after scrubbing down, there were still some lingering traces:

and also spots that were completely missed:

Thanks for the lesson Rob!

*I would like to go on record as saying I do not now have, nor at anytime have had, a facialist