Layout!
It's the first time I've decorated my blog to match the season, I think. I even switched up the music for a change.
Enjoy!
(Haha, like my lame post that I did just so people would look at my page?? Pathetic, I know.)
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
"You Have Really Beautiful Hair..."
There are many nice looking men in California. Because of this it is easy to have little crushes on several men at once, which can lead to potentially embarrassing situations.
Today one of these beautiful men that I've noticed a little more within the past month or so sat down on the bench in front of me at church. Seeing as his head was almost directly in front of mine it was hard not to notice how great his hair is. By that I don't mean that it was styled well (which it was), I mean that it's just a really good head of hair! Thick, dark, pretty much perfect. I won't lie, I was a little jealous; my hair being thin and fragile.
At the end of the meeting I got his attention and asked how his week had been - you know, small talk. After all, we are still new friends and need the small talk as a buffer until we get to know each other better. I started fumbling for my keys in my purse - as I still get nervous when I talk to attractive men. I'm not sure what possessed me in the next moment, but before I had time to change my mind I told him:
"Don't take this the wrong way... but you have really beautiful hair."
I wasn't sure how a guy would take a compliment about their looks that included the word beautiful, but suprisingly he said thank you - and looked sincere about it! Starting to feel myself get even more nervous I tried to play it cool and said something to the effect of "I'm not one of those weird psycho girls... sometimes I just call it like I see it." This was my feeble attempt to appear as un-stalker-ish as possible. His response? He said thank you again, and said that he was flattered.
Standing now, I told him to have a good week and tried to make a quick exit out of my row before my face flushed red.
Yes - I still get nervous and run away after talking to a cute boy.
Today one of these beautiful men that I've noticed a little more within the past month or so sat down on the bench in front of me at church. Seeing as his head was almost directly in front of mine it was hard not to notice how great his hair is. By that I don't mean that it was styled well (which it was), I mean that it's just a really good head of hair! Thick, dark, pretty much perfect. I won't lie, I was a little jealous; my hair being thin and fragile.
At the end of the meeting I got his attention and asked how his week had been - you know, small talk. After all, we are still new friends and need the small talk as a buffer until we get to know each other better. I started fumbling for my keys in my purse - as I still get nervous when I talk to attractive men. I'm not sure what possessed me in the next moment, but before I had time to change my mind I told him:
"Don't take this the wrong way... but you have really beautiful hair."
I wasn't sure how a guy would take a compliment about their looks that included the word beautiful, but suprisingly he said thank you - and looked sincere about it! Starting to feel myself get even more nervous I tried to play it cool and said something to the effect of "I'm not one of those weird psycho girls... sometimes I just call it like I see it." This was my feeble attempt to appear as un-stalker-ish as possible. His response? He said thank you again, and said that he was flattered.
Standing now, I told him to have a good week and tried to make a quick exit out of my row before my face flushed red.
Yes - I still get nervous and run away after talking to a cute boy.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
One Reason Not To Wear Flip-Flops While Grocery Shopping
Saturday. My free day.
This particular Saturday, October 30th, I rolled out of bed late in the morning (okay, okay, it was early afternoon!) after a late night at a HUGE Halloween party. I did the lazy thing, lounged in my pajamas for a while, started some laundry, and then decided I should get things rolling before heading out with some friends for more Halloween adventures. One thing I needed to accomplish was a quick trip to the grocery store to pick up some ingredients for my ward's once a month diner's club. I quickly grabbed a pair of flip flops and rushed out the door so I'd be back in time to pull my laundrey out of the dryer.
Once at the store I nabbed a handheld basket from one of the checkout lines and bee-lined towards the baking goods isle. Walking at quite the brisk pace I dodged between a lady shopping by herself, and a mother pushing her son in a shopping cart when WHAM!! I was full out sprawled on the ground in the middle of the isle thanks to an unseen puddle of what I hope was water. Both ladies looked at me like I was stupid, or just had some kind of fainting spell. It was that much of a show. Righting myself to the vertical position again I annoyingly shared what I had discovered on the floor, and the lady shopping by herself quickly started off to find an employee. I think the lady with the kid asked if I was okay, and then continued on her way.
I stood above the puddle to deter potential accidents for about a minute until the first lady returned with what looked like a bag boy who asked: "Um, do you want to fill out some paperwork or something?" Oh, I was annoyed, but I wasn't about to spend 30 minutes filling out an accident report. Instead I shortly answered no, and that they should just clean it up because someone else would seize the opportunity to sue the store if they could. I really just wanted to get my canned pumkin and cake mix and go home.
My knee hurts.
This particular Saturday, October 30th, I rolled out of bed late in the morning (okay, okay, it was early afternoon!) after a late night at a HUGE Halloween party. I did the lazy thing, lounged in my pajamas for a while, started some laundry, and then decided I should get things rolling before heading out with some friends for more Halloween adventures. One thing I needed to accomplish was a quick trip to the grocery store to pick up some ingredients for my ward's once a month diner's club. I quickly grabbed a pair of flip flops and rushed out the door so I'd be back in time to pull my laundrey out of the dryer.
Once at the store I nabbed a handheld basket from one of the checkout lines and bee-lined towards the baking goods isle. Walking at quite the brisk pace I dodged between a lady shopping by herself, and a mother pushing her son in a shopping cart when WHAM!! I was full out sprawled on the ground in the middle of the isle thanks to an unseen puddle of what I hope was water. Both ladies looked at me like I was stupid, or just had some kind of fainting spell. It was that much of a show. Righting myself to the vertical position again I annoyingly shared what I had discovered on the floor, and the lady shopping by herself quickly started off to find an employee. I think the lady with the kid asked if I was okay, and then continued on her way.
I stood above the puddle to deter potential accidents for about a minute until the first lady returned with what looked like a bag boy who asked: "Um, do you want to fill out some paperwork or something?" Oh, I was annoyed, but I wasn't about to spend 30 minutes filling out an accident report. Instead I shortly answered no, and that they should just clean it up because someone else would seize the opportunity to sue the store if they could. I really just wanted to get my canned pumkin and cake mix and go home.
My knee hurts.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
The Man of My Dream
Ha. I know many of you probably want to add an "s" to the end of that title, but read on and it will all make sense.
In recent weeks I have been having all sorts of dreams. It's kind of a pattern for me to have a period of time where I dream almost every night, and then I go through a longer period of time where I don't dream at all. The dreams are usually random and not connected to anything in my real life, but lately there has been a difference: I've known one to two people in each dream. In the past I've had dreams where I seem to know the person/people in my dreams, but they are not real people in my life. I've written a few of these recent dreams down in my notebook because (1) they are unusual for me, (2) all the people that show up in my dreams are guys that I currently know and associate with, and (3) they're just funny sometimes, like the one where my friend bought me frog leg soup (random). You should make note that none of these dreams have been of the romantic sort.
Anyway, I had another dream last night that involved someone I know, but this dream broke the pattern again. This time the person I knew was in fact not a guy - it was my mom. And I can't really remember what was going on at the beginning, but for some reason my mom and I were in this amazingly awesome building/house that you could tell cost millions of dollars. There were columns, and shades of emerald throughout the decor. My mom walked out of the room just as this beautiful, handsome, dashing, basically-perfect-in-every-way guy in a nice car slides the vehicle to a stop there on the green streaked marble-floored indoor balcony that overlooked the front entryway below. How the car even got up to the second floor was obviously not a concern, nor out of place in my dream.
He was there for me, this man of my dream; I knew it. He got out of the car with purpose and I started toward him in amazement. He looked really good in that tux, too. He then turned and started jogging away from me, and my heart fell. How could I get my hopes up again? I stopped in my place unsure of what to do, and then he turned around - it was a trick; he wanted to see just how excited I'd be when he came back for me.
Enter the cheesy movie-like part of my dream: we ran for each other and he wrapped me up in the best hug possible and dipped me low to the ground. I guess you can compare the dip to the final scene of "The Cutting Edge" when they're out on the ice and you know they just won the gold medal, and Kate tells Doug that she's in love with him. It was that kind of dip.
The man of my dream kissed me.
...and it was the most awkward and uncomfortable kiss I have ever had - EVER! Including real life! It was like he had never kissed anyone, ever. I looked up into his eyes and with concern asked, "We are going to get better at this, right??"
In recent weeks I have been having all sorts of dreams. It's kind of a pattern for me to have a period of time where I dream almost every night, and then I go through a longer period of time where I don't dream at all. The dreams are usually random and not connected to anything in my real life, but lately there has been a difference: I've known one to two people in each dream. In the past I've had dreams where I seem to know the person/people in my dreams, but they are not real people in my life. I've written a few of these recent dreams down in my notebook because (1) they are unusual for me, (2) all the people that show up in my dreams are guys that I currently know and associate with, and (3) they're just funny sometimes, like the one where my friend bought me frog leg soup (random). You should make note that none of these dreams have been of the romantic sort.
Anyway, I had another dream last night that involved someone I know, but this dream broke the pattern again. This time the person I knew was in fact not a guy - it was my mom. And I can't really remember what was going on at the beginning, but for some reason my mom and I were in this amazingly awesome building/house that you could tell cost millions of dollars. There were columns, and shades of emerald throughout the decor. My mom walked out of the room just as this beautiful, handsome, dashing, basically-perfect-in-every-way guy in a nice car slides the vehicle to a stop there on the green streaked marble-floored indoor balcony that overlooked the front entryway below. How the car even got up to the second floor was obviously not a concern, nor out of place in my dream.
He was there for me, this man of my dream; I knew it. He got out of the car with purpose and I started toward him in amazement. He looked really good in that tux, too. He then turned and started jogging away from me, and my heart fell. How could I get my hopes up again? I stopped in my place unsure of what to do, and then he turned around - it was a trick; he wanted to see just how excited I'd be when he came back for me.
Enter the cheesy movie-like part of my dream: we ran for each other and he wrapped me up in the best hug possible and dipped me low to the ground. I guess you can compare the dip to the final scene of "The Cutting Edge" when they're out on the ice and you know they just won the gold medal, and Kate tells Doug that she's in love with him. It was that kind of dip.
The man of my dream kissed me.
...and it was the most awkward and uncomfortable kiss I have ever had - EVER! Including real life! It was like he had never kissed anyone, ever. I looked up into his eyes and with concern asked, "We are going to get better at this, right??"
Friday, October 15, 2010
My Spider Friend
Not long after moving to Los Angeles a spider befriended my car. Well, the passenger-side mirror of my car to be exact. I parked on the street of the cute neighborhood in front of my first apartment every day, next to little stretches of grass and beneath the shade of trees that lined the sidewalks. Since Los Angeles is mostly made of concrete, I assume that there are a plethora of living critters dwelling in the green and growing patches that do exist in the city. This is where my friend the spider met Babe, my car.
I never actually saw the spider but for months there was daily evidence that this eight-legged critter was dwelling in the cavity behind my passenger side mirror, as there was a web craftily spun all over the front of the mirror, sometimes even connecting to the window. When the web would get too big I would roll down the passenger window, and wipe it off with a tissue. I'll admit I was surprised the first time it reappeared. Soon however, it was a normal thing - the spider built its web while my car was parked, and I destroyed it with tissue or by flying down a highway. This was one resilient spider; it even kept up its antics when I moved to my new apartment in August to a parking space far from grass and trees. I figured that critter would be living in the space abaft of my mirror until I decided to wash my car and flush it out with a hose - which if you know me at all you know that I'm doing good if I wash my car even once a year.
Then, late in September I drove my car to Vegas. The web got messed up while on the highway, and I just figured I'd see a new one strung across the mirror the next morning. But, there never was a new web. I think the spider finally decided it couldn't handle the competition and died; or bailed out somewhere along the road to Vegas. Funny, I don't like spiders but I felt kind of sorry for the little bugger. We had such a nice routine going.
I never actually saw the spider but for months there was daily evidence that this eight-legged critter was dwelling in the cavity behind my passenger side mirror, as there was a web craftily spun all over the front of the mirror, sometimes even connecting to the window. When the web would get too big I would roll down the passenger window, and wipe it off with a tissue. I'll admit I was surprised the first time it reappeared. Soon however, it was a normal thing - the spider built its web while my car was parked, and I destroyed it with tissue or by flying down a highway. This was one resilient spider; it even kept up its antics when I moved to my new apartment in August to a parking space far from grass and trees. I figured that critter would be living in the space abaft of my mirror until I decided to wash my car and flush it out with a hose - which if you know me at all you know that I'm doing good if I wash my car even once a year.
Then, late in September I drove my car to Vegas. The web got messed up while on the highway, and I just figured I'd see a new one strung across the mirror the next morning. But, there never was a new web. I think the spider finally decided it couldn't handle the competition and died; or bailed out somewhere along the road to Vegas. Funny, I don't like spiders but I felt kind of sorry for the little bugger. We had such a nice routine going.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
I CAN Change The World!
Surveys. We've all been asked to complete/fill out a survey, give feedback, etc. at one point or another. Most often I ignore them, but on the rare occasion I do take the time to comply with a survey request I promptly forget about them once they are completed. That was obviously something that happened to me this summer when I was traveling a bunch. I filled out a survey about one of my flights, and then forgot about it. I can't remember actually filling out a survey, let alone if I filled it out online or by physically checking off boxes on a sheet of paper. Actually, I think the last one is correct. I vaguely remember handing something to a flight attendant once while at cruising altitude. But maybe that was my trash.
Anyway, I remembered today that I have an email account (meaning, I checked my email for the first time in a week), and this is what I found in my inbox from American Airlines:
Dear Ms. Hellewell:
We appreciate your participation with our survey dated July 19.
Your comments regarding the cleanliness of the windows have been forwarded to the appropriate management personnel who will use them constructively as we continue to search for ways to improve all aspects of our service.
Ms. Hellewell, again, thank you. We will do all possible to make your experiences pleasant and trouble-free on American Airlines.
Sincerely,
Sara Holmes
Customer Relations
American Airlines
I'm not sure why I found this so funny, but it sent me into a small fit of laughter. Maybe it was the way they made it sound all formal with their phrasing of: "cleanliness of the windows." Or, maybe it's just because we've ALL been there - you manage to score a window seat on the plane, you get all your stuff shoved under the seat in front of you, you wiggle into a semi-comfortable position and fasten your seat belt, turn to look out the window, and BAM! Someone's greasy forehead print is smudged perfectly across the middle of the window fogging up your view of the tarmac.
But maybe, just maybe, the funniest part is that the airline actually read my comment, deemed it important enough to not be tossed in the recycle bin, and have decided to do something about it.
That's one small step for man, folks.
Anyway, I remembered today that I have an email account (meaning, I checked my email for the first time in a week), and this is what I found in my inbox from American Airlines:
Dear Ms. Hellewell:
We appreciate your participation with our survey dated July 19.
Your comments regarding the cleanliness of the windows have been forwarded to the appropriate management personnel who will use them constructively as we continue to search for ways to improve all aspects of our service.
Ms. Hellewell, again, thank you. We will do all possible to make your experiences pleasant and trouble-free on American Airlines.
Sincerely,
Sara Holmes
Customer Relations
American Airlines
I'm not sure why I found this so funny, but it sent me into a small fit of laughter. Maybe it was the way they made it sound all formal with their phrasing of: "cleanliness of the windows." Or, maybe it's just because we've ALL been there - you manage to score a window seat on the plane, you get all your stuff shoved under the seat in front of you, you wiggle into a semi-comfortable position and fasten your seat belt, turn to look out the window, and BAM! Someone's greasy forehead print is smudged perfectly across the middle of the window fogging up your view of the tarmac.
But maybe, just maybe, the funniest part is that the airline actually read my comment, deemed it important enough to not be tossed in the recycle bin, and have decided to do something about it.
That's one small step for man, folks.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Random Stuff. And Fish.
I miss blogging! I have plenty of time to, but it's just not nearly as fun as when I have pictures to add. I'm hesitant to write too many blogs without pictures for fear of boring anyone who may read my blog... because, really, I don't enjoy reading lengthy blogs that are all words, all the time. I like seeing what's going on in other's lives as well as reading about them, so I assume that's the general consensus (yes - that was me putting myself and my ideas at the center of the universe. You're welcome).
Work is going well. I'm getting better at what I'm doing, which means I get more projects dropped on my desk each week. I don't mind really, but kind of want time to get ahead on my main projects now and then. On the bright side, more projects mean my boss trusts me even more, right? Heck - why am I asking you? There's only three of us in the office including the boss; I can tell he trusts me just fine (hmmm... I'm a little sassy tonight). We've started conducting a DJ workshop once a week which allows me to get several hours of overtime on a regular basis, which my bank account is grateful for. I think I'll specifically set aside the money that comes from overtime so I can pay off my student loan quicker. Or maybe I'll save it for something else... like the Mediterranean. We shall see. Either way, there's a lot of saving to be done.
I'm still looking for another roommate to share the master bedroom with me in my apartment; I've even moved all of my stuff away from that side of the room so it's ready for instant move-in. Now pray I can find someone soon so I can pay lower rent!
I bought a new pet fish (a betta)... I finally missed Lloyd enough that I had to do something about it. I still had all the fish stuff I needed, but I did spring for new rocks to put in the bottom of the bowl. My new fish is named Duberdicus (the Lusitanian god of water). He has a very fringy tail that is super awesome looking. The end of the tail is mainly red, then has a small white stripe before the blue fades in to the back end of his body; his head and face are kind of white. He's quite patriotic. And I love him! You should see him beg for treats when I get home from work - it's cute! The day I bought him I ate sushi for dinner... it seemed appropriately perverse.
....aaaand that's my life as of late. Happy Wednesday!
Work is going well. I'm getting better at what I'm doing, which means I get more projects dropped on my desk each week. I don't mind really, but kind of want time to get ahead on my main projects now and then. On the bright side, more projects mean my boss trusts me even more, right? Heck - why am I asking you? There's only three of us in the office including the boss; I can tell he trusts me just fine (hmmm... I'm a little sassy tonight). We've started conducting a DJ workshop once a week which allows me to get several hours of overtime on a regular basis, which my bank account is grateful for. I think I'll specifically set aside the money that comes from overtime so I can pay off my student loan quicker. Or maybe I'll save it for something else... like the Mediterranean. We shall see. Either way, there's a lot of saving to be done.
I'm still looking for another roommate to share the master bedroom with me in my apartment; I've even moved all of my stuff away from that side of the room so it's ready for instant move-in. Now pray I can find someone soon so I can pay lower rent!
I bought a new pet fish (a betta)... I finally missed Lloyd enough that I had to do something about it. I still had all the fish stuff I needed, but I did spring for new rocks to put in the bottom of the bowl. My new fish is named Duberdicus (the Lusitanian god of water). He has a very fringy tail that is super awesome looking. The end of the tail is mainly red, then has a small white stripe before the blue fades in to the back end of his body; his head and face are kind of white. He's quite patriotic. And I love him! You should see him beg for treats when I get home from work - it's cute! The day I bought him I ate sushi for dinner... it seemed appropriately perverse.
....aaaand that's my life as of late. Happy Wednesday!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Chronically-ill Camera
For about a year my camera had a hard time taking pictures. Funny, right? Since that's all a camera is supposed to do... Anyway, the shutter button (you may have to excuse my lack of camera vocabulary) was extremely tempermental - sometimes to the point where I'd give up and go without whatever picture I had just spent 5 minutes trying to capture.
Then, magically, it got better!
My camera was working perfect for several months and I was happy to share the miraculous story with whoever would listen. Then I went to my family reunion, saw cousins I hadn't seen in 10+ years, met all their cute kids, went to pull out my camera to take pictures of all of them.... and the lens cover-thing wouldn't open! The camera turns on fine, the zoom adjusts when I mess with it and I can access the menu and pictures on the memory card that already exist, but the darn thing wont open the cover of the lens. At all. Not for a charged battery or for my fingernails trying to pry it open manually.
I sure hope my camera gets better again.
Then, magically, it got better!
My camera was working perfect for several months and I was happy to share the miraculous story with whoever would listen. Then I went to my family reunion, saw cousins I hadn't seen in 10+ years, met all their cute kids, went to pull out my camera to take pictures of all of them.... and the lens cover-thing wouldn't open! The camera turns on fine, the zoom adjusts when I mess with it and I can access the menu and pictures on the memory card that already exist, but the darn thing wont open the cover of the lens. At all. Not for a charged battery or for my fingernails trying to pry it open manually.
I sure hope my camera gets better again.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Full-Time-Ness
Just before I went to New York this summer I had an interview for a full-time job. It went VERY well. Turned out I was a perfect fit for the job and, according to some, the most qualified person that had ever been in the position at the company. It also turned out that it was a great fit for me as the job almost perfectly blends both what I majored and minored in in college; giving me practical event/coordination experience in the world of entertainment. I think I was given this job through divine power solely because I needed something in my life to be going right - I had made the decision to move to California even though I hadn't received answers to my prayers, and was REALLY struggling there for a while. No friends, no place to live, no job... no matter how much job searching and socializing I attempted I still just felt like an unwanted lump of - something. This move is definitely in my top 2 most difficult moves of my life - not sure which was more of a challenge.
Anyway, that's not what this post is really about. The point is, I now have a full-time job. Big deal, right? I should've experienced several of those by now. Yet... I haven't. This is my first. Of course, I'm not counting my 18 month mission (it was service, not a job), or school (even when I was taking 18 credits a semester I wasn't putting 40 hours a week in to it - including class time). I don't even count doing a combination of activities that totalled more than 40 hours a week as if I was working full time- like my last semester of school where I was taking 15 credits and 1 institute class, had 1 part-time job and 2 internships, was on the college's scholarship board, was in the Relief Society presidency of my ward and served as a temple worker, and considered myself lucky if I had enough time to go grocery shopping or do my my laundry that week. Why don't I count it? Because they are DIFFERENT things!
Now, look at my job. Or any full-time job. What was this week's schedule like? Is it comparable to last week's schedule? Or next weeks? Probably. Granted, you may not do exactly the same thing every week, but the tasks are generally the same. This is weird for me. I show up to work at the same time Monday-Friday. I have Saturdays and Sundays off. I check in equipment, follow up with employees and clients, prepare upcoming event folders, coordinate meetings, read emails, prepare invoices, update calendars, create playlists, check out equipment... Rinse, repeat.
Spontaneous vacations? Nope.
A day to sleep in? Not if I want to do something with my Saturdays.
I like my job and the other employees in my office; I'm really grateful for a regular paycheck. Yet I miss being able to do whatever I want when I want. It's just the transition to full-time-ness that's the hard part. It's going to take some getting used to.
Anyway, that's not what this post is really about. The point is, I now have a full-time job. Big deal, right? I should've experienced several of those by now. Yet... I haven't. This is my first. Of course, I'm not counting my 18 month mission (it was service, not a job), or school (even when I was taking 18 credits a semester I wasn't putting 40 hours a week in to it - including class time). I don't even count doing a combination of activities that totalled more than 40 hours a week as if I was working full time- like my last semester of school where I was taking 15 credits and 1 institute class, had 1 part-time job and 2 internships, was on the college's scholarship board, was in the Relief Society presidency of my ward and served as a temple worker, and considered myself lucky if I had enough time to go grocery shopping or do my my laundry that week. Why don't I count it? Because they are DIFFERENT things!
Now, look at my job. Or any full-time job. What was this week's schedule like? Is it comparable to last week's schedule? Or next weeks? Probably. Granted, you may not do exactly the same thing every week, but the tasks are generally the same. This is weird for me. I show up to work at the same time Monday-Friday. I have Saturdays and Sundays off. I check in equipment, follow up with employees and clients, prepare upcoming event folders, coordinate meetings, read emails, prepare invoices, update calendars, create playlists, check out equipment... Rinse, repeat.
Spontaneous vacations? Nope.
A day to sleep in? Not if I want to do something with my Saturdays.
I like my job and the other employees in my office; I'm really grateful for a regular paycheck. Yet I miss being able to do whatever I want when I want. It's just the transition to full-time-ness that's the hard part. It's going to take some getting used to.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Manhattan Beach
Meet the Carilli family.
Lucky for me the Carilli's decided to take a week-long vacation to Disneyland, and knowing that I now have a full time job and no play money (yet), offered to come visit me. We met up in the parking lot of my office just as I got off work, and had a fun evening exploring Manhattan Beach.
Although the sun was hiding behind the haze we spread out some blankets and things to create a picnic spot and ate our dinner before walking along the ocean for a bit, watching Suzi chase the gulls, and John trying to run circles around his dad (can you tell everyone was freezing?).
These are wonderful people who have become like a second family to me. The first year and a half I lived in Las Vegas I had relatives only a few miles away who would take care of me if ever/whenever I needed help. During my last two years in Las Vegas I didn't have any close family within a couple of hours drive. Then I met Penny. We quickly became friends, and not long after that I was invited to Sunday dinner with her family. It felt like home. Pretty soon the Sunday dinners were a regular occurance, and I was considered one of the family. When I moved away from Las Vegas I was sad that I wouldn't be able to see them very often.
Lucky for me the Carilli's decided to take a week-long vacation to Disneyland, and knowing that I now have a full time job and no play money (yet), offered to come visit me. We met up in the parking lot of my office just as I got off work, and had a fun evening exploring Manhattan Beach.
Although the sun was hiding behind the haze we spread out some blankets and things to create a picnic spot and ate our dinner before walking along the ocean for a bit, watching Suzi chase the gulls, and John trying to run circles around his dad (can you tell everyone was freezing?).
We then headed down to the pier for some hot chocolate, and a gander at their miniature aquarium...
Where Suzi was attacked by a shark. Don't worry - if you mess with Italians, they'll mess you up!
While small, the aquarium had a good critter collection - and there was even a touch pool! You couldn't touch these critters though:
Even if they wanted to say "Hi."
I'm grateful that the Carilli's came to spend their Monday night of vacation with their 'daughter.' Happy Family Home Evening!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Hollywood Forever Cemetary
"Founded in 1899, Hollywood Forever Cemetery is the resting place of hundreds of Hollywood’s greatest stars. Recently refurbished to its original splendor, the cemetery attracts visitors from all over the world. Yet it is also an active cemetery and funeral home." (hollywoodforever.com)
This cemetary is very cool. If anyone knows me very well they know that I actually enjoy cemetaries; they are incredibly peaceful. Now, I'd never sneak into one by myself at midnight when the fog's rolling in... because, again, if you know me very well you know I can't handle scary things. AT ALL. I cut scary movies out of my life more than five years ago and have never once reconsidered that decision. Anyhow, going to a cemetary at night with a group of friends to watch an old Gary Cooper black and white western flick - that's another story!
Before the movie started I wandered around to get some pictures of the AWESOME tombstones, etc. I'm pretty much convinced that every person buried here came from a family that's loaded. See for yourself:
This cemetary is very cool. If anyone knows me very well they know that I actually enjoy cemetaries; they are incredibly peaceful. Now, I'd never sneak into one by myself at midnight when the fog's rolling in... because, again, if you know me very well you know I can't handle scary things. AT ALL. I cut scary movies out of my life more than five years ago and have never once reconsidered that decision. Anyhow, going to a cemetary at night with a group of friends to watch an old Gary Cooper black and white western flick - that's another story!
Before the movie started I wandered around to get some pictures of the AWESOME tombstones, etc. I'm pretty much convinced that every person buried here came from a family that's loaded. See for yourself:
Friday, July 30, 2010
Hill Cumorah Pageant 2010
I love upstate New York in July! Never mind the flying bugs, scortching heat, random deluges, etc... July in Palmyra is Pageant time!! (Can you find me??)
The first time I participated in the Hill Cumorah Pageant was with my entire family back in 1996 when I was 13 years old. I think my parents got the idea of signing up from my mom's sister Karen, who had been in the HCP with her husband Earl and their kids in 1994. Their family were cast members again in 1996 too - which was great fun!
I loved being in the Hill Cumorah Pageant so much I always knew I wanted to go back; and finally last year, after another 13 years, I applied and went back.
I couldn't resist. Waiting another 13 years wasn't an option, so I applied in August of 2009 yet again, and headed out east at the end of June. I really like that I've been able to participate in different roles each time I have been in the Hill Cumorah Pageant; and I love that I get to dance! You're not allowed to audition for a dancing role until you're 14, so in 1996 I was in a group scene as a convert at the Waters of Mormon (don't know what I'm talking about? Email me - I'll fill you in!). Last year I was a Ceremonial Dancer, and this year I was a Nephite Dancer and a Destruction Stunt Victim. I got to die in an incredibly dramatic way that included a giant fireball and leaping down a short flight of stairs and tumbling to the ground. It was great!
The first time I participated in the Hill Cumorah Pageant was with my entire family back in 1996 when I was 13 years old. I think my parents got the idea of signing up from my mom's sister Karen, who had been in the HCP with her husband Earl and their kids in 1994. Their family were cast members again in 1996 too - which was great fun!
I loved being in the Hill Cumorah Pageant so much I always knew I wanted to go back; and finally last year, after another 13 years, I applied and went back.
I couldn't resist. Waiting another 13 years wasn't an option, so I applied in August of 2009 yet again, and headed out east at the end of June. I really like that I've been able to participate in different roles each time I have been in the Hill Cumorah Pageant; and I love that I get to dance! You're not allowed to audition for a dancing role until you're 14, so in 1996 I was in a group scene as a convert at the Waters of Mormon (don't know what I'm talking about? Email me - I'll fill you in!). Last year I was a Ceremonial Dancer, and this year I was a Nephite Dancer and a Destruction Stunt Victim. I got to die in an incredibly dramatic way that included a giant fireball and leaping down a short flight of stairs and tumbling to the ground. It was great!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Finally - Some Jane Austin I'm Interested In!
What makes this video even better is that I know a handful of the people who participated in its making...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2PM0om2El8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2PM0om2El8
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Along The Way
Wow! This last month flew! I've actually missed having the time to post anything, but I was definitely enjoying my time! I don't think I ever got around to posting about this last year since I was playing catch-up from my New Zealand trip, but this year I once again participated in the Hill Cumorah Pageant in Palmyra, New York! It is always a very fun experience, and I can't wait to get pictures up from the show. I had to report to the Hill on July 2nd, but was fortunate enough to be able to spend the last weekend in June in Ohio with my friend Ashley, who got married in December and moved out to Columbus in January. She and her husband Dak were great hosts - we had a great weekend filled with garage sale shopping, a frog jump festival and game playing! 
I flew on my first prop-plane ever from Columbus to Cleveland... I actually didn't like it much, I was more sensitive to all the bumps and movement in the air. I was grateful that it was only a 30 minute flight - I may have had to use the air-sick bag had we gone much longer! 
While in New York I was also blessed to stay with the same family I'd stayed with last year during Pageant - they take such good care of me! We had fun picking raspberries and going hiking together before all the business of the show kept me at the hill from approx. 8am-11pm every day.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
The Old And The New
I've officially made the decision to stay in California. I know I've already been living here for three months, but don't doubt that I had thoughts weekly about packing it all up and going home to Colorado.
Part of the moving process, of course, is making new friends. I really don't have a hard time meeting people, so I do already have a few handfuls of friends I can call up and plan to spend time with any given week. I don't however have any friends within walking distance like I had for the past two years in Las Vegas; where I had lived as close as two apartments away from one of my closest friends. Then of course, I also had wonderful roommates for a year and a half that I would see on a daily basis. My roommates were great girls, and great friends!
One thing I miss is that established relationship and knowledge about my friends and their lives. The friends that could sit in a room without talking and not be uncomfortabe, friends who would randomly run errands with you - even if it meant walking to Walmart in the middle of the night for toiletpaper or the next morning's breakfast, or friends that you could just show up at their front door unexpected and they'd invite you in and let you to stay for hours. Friends who'd come find you when life was getting you down and do something nice for you like buying your favorite smoothie or replenishing the stack of tissues while you'd bawl your eyes out, or friends that would go along with your crazy ideas/adventures and come up with some of their own.
Friendships like that take time, and work! And while I'm working at developing friendships like that here, I sometimes just wish that it was already done. I wish someone here already knew me; about my life, about my past experiences, and that I already knew everything about them. It's kind of lonely without that kind of friend readily on hand for life's daily adventures.
Now - who wants to go to the store with me?
Part of the moving process, of course, is making new friends. I really don't have a hard time meeting people, so I do already have a few handfuls of friends I can call up and plan to spend time with any given week. I don't however have any friends within walking distance like I had for the past two years in Las Vegas; where I had lived as close as two apartments away from one of my closest friends. Then of course, I also had wonderful roommates for a year and a half that I would see on a daily basis. My roommates were great girls, and great friends!
One thing I miss is that established relationship and knowledge about my friends and their lives. The friends that could sit in a room without talking and not be uncomfortabe, friends who would randomly run errands with you - even if it meant walking to Walmart in the middle of the night for toiletpaper or the next morning's breakfast, or friends that you could just show up at their front door unexpected and they'd invite you in and let you to stay for hours. Friends who'd come find you when life was getting you down and do something nice for you like buying your favorite smoothie or replenishing the stack of tissues while you'd bawl your eyes out, or friends that would go along with your crazy ideas/adventures and come up with some of their own.
Friendships like that take time, and work! And while I'm working at developing friendships like that here, I sometimes just wish that it was already done. I wish someone here already knew me; about my life, about my past experiences, and that I already knew everything about them. It's kind of lonely without that kind of friend readily on hand for life's daily adventures.
Now - who wants to go to the store with me?
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Kids!
I recently got to spend two and a half weeks in Colorado visiting most of my family - and I loved it! My older sister was having a baby, so I was asked to come keep her house running while she was in the hospital. While my sister and my mom said I was a big help to them, I feel like I really got a good deal: free rent, free food, and plenty of playtime with my nieces and nephew!! Here are a few things that we did:
Field day! Man, I hadn't been to one of these in ages! My oldest niece Sami was just finishing up 1st grade, and did VERY well at field day... just look at that form in landing the long jump! She came home with mostly blue and red ribbons (1st and 2nd place), with only a couple white and yellow (3rd and 4th place).
Only a day or two after field day my sister had her baby! Cute little Janessa joined their family early on May 21st. It was very fun to wake up the girls in the morning by showing them a picture of their new sister - instant smiles! I got Sami off to school, and spent the day listening to Cassidy and Shelby asking when Sami was getting home so we could go see their mom and the baby at the hospital. It turned out Shelby wasn't so thrilled to meet her sister, but she did let her hold her finger once.
One of the kids' favorite things to do was to play in Aunt Melissa's room. Most of the time they were interested in playing Plants vs. Zombies with me on my computer - which they were getting pretty good at! I even taught Jackson to say "zombies"... and then he cracked me up by copying the game by saying "zombies...coming!" When they weren't playing the game they would find other ways to entertain themselves by playing in the closet, swinging like monkeys from the underside of the bunk bed, or in Jackson's case pretending to be a pirate... but most often he would be a lion.
Field day! Man, I hadn't been to one of these in ages! My oldest niece Sami was just finishing up 1st grade, and did VERY well at field day... just look at that form in landing the long jump! She came home with mostly blue and red ribbons (1st and 2nd place), with only a couple white and yellow (3rd and 4th place).
Only a day or two after field day my sister had her baby! Cute little Janessa joined their family early on May 21st. It was very fun to wake up the girls in the morning by showing them a picture of their new sister - instant smiles! I got Sami off to school, and spent the day listening to Cassidy and Shelby asking when Sami was getting home so we could go see their mom and the baby at the hospital. It turned out Shelby wasn't so thrilled to meet her sister, but she did let her hold her finger once.
One of the kids' favorite things to do was to play in Aunt Melissa's room. Most of the time they were interested in playing Plants vs. Zombies with me on my computer - which they were getting pretty good at! I even taught Jackson to say "zombies"... and then he cracked me up by copying the game by saying "zombies...coming!" When they weren't playing the game they would find other ways to entertain themselves by playing in the closet, swinging like monkeys from the underside of the bunk bed, or in Jackson's case pretending to be a pirate... but most often he would be a lion.
Every time we would load up in the car I would turn on some music for the kids. At the beginning of my time with them I selected a country CD for them to listen to, and soon enough Cassidy was hooked on the first track - and subsequently requested to listen to that song over and over! Eventually, all three girls got pretty good at singing along to the chorus (okay - I tried for hours and couldn't get this video to load... if you want to see what I'm talking about you'll have to look HERE at my sister's blog - it's the last video on the post).
I also spent some time one evening helping Sami and Cassi practice their cartwheels. They really were trying hard, but couldn't quite pull off the moves. I helped show them where their legs and arms were supposed to be by flipping them in slow motion while talking them through it, and soon enough it was starting to catch on! Sami was getting pretty good by bedtime:
I had so much fun with these kids!!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Niece On The Way!
The waiting is soon to be over! My sister, her husband and my mom are off at the hospital waiting for things to get exciting! There should be a brand new baby here VERY soon! Happy Day!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Have You Seen...
...my new blog yet?
Read,
Follow,
Comment,
Participate,
Enjoy!
http://theindepthgilmore.blogspot.com/
Read,
Follow,
Comment,
Participate,
Enjoy!
http://theindepthgilmore.blogspot.com/
Monday, May 3, 2010
The Miracle of the Never Ending Gas
Three weekends ago I went to Vegas (as I mentioned here on my blog). I filled up my gas tank on April 13th before I started my drive back to Cali, and have done plenty of driving since then. I went to Magic Mountain, drove to church 3 times, FHE, grocery shopping, and various places inbetween. Now, my car has always gotten pretty great gas mileage, but I started worrying that I was going to run out. You see, most cars have a gas light; mine doesn't. I learned that once about 5 years ago when trying to rush from work to an accounting test in college. Every time I've driven my car during the last week I would look at my gas gauge and worry, but without a job it's not so easy to spend $30+ on gas. Finally after counting the change in my piggy bank and some shifting of funds I decided I could afford to fill up my tank today. Twenty days since I left Las Vegas! Even more surprising was that I still had nearly a gallon and a half of gas left in my 15 gallon tank. Talk about blessings.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Spring Break?
Now that I'm not in school I don't really qualify for a Spring Break, but this last weekend when a couple friends of mine traveled down from Las Vegas for a visit I felt like that's what I was enjoying. After meeting up at the hotel in Sylmar (North of LA) we did what anyone who visits Cali should do at least once: we went to the walk of fame to find some favorites!
The Mouse,
Several hand/foot prints in front of the Chinese Theater,
Of course, I also paid tribute to my favorite star on the walk of fame: Sonny and Cher.
The King,
The Mouse,
Several hand/foot prints in front of the Chinese Theater,
And Erik Estrada.
Of course, I also paid tribute to my favorite star on the walk of fame: Sonny and Cher.
The next morning after scoring free muffins at reception we headed a little farther North to Valencia and spent the day at Magic Mountain! We conquered rollercoasters, some swings, and even a carousel. Yes... they enforced the seatbelt rule on the carousel. 
Overall it was a fun weekend, and the first time in a long time I rode multiple rollercoasters and never once ended up feeling dizzy from them! So, if you're ever out here in Cali and you're headed for Magic Mountain, make sure you don't miss the coaster X2. By FAR the best ride there, and I promise you've never experienced anything quite like it.
Overall it was a fun weekend, and the first time in a long time I rode multiple rollercoasters and never once ended up feeling dizzy from them! So, if you're ever out here in Cali and you're headed for Magic Mountain, make sure you don't miss the coaster X2. By FAR the best ride there, and I promise you've never experienced anything quite like it.
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