Canadian Border Patrol

Ummm... just watch it...



Exactly...

And Now For Something Manly...

I've had this stuck in my head for a few days. Nothing more rugged and manly than a lumberjack...



Oh sigh...

Dating Woes and Frustrations...

Lets be honest, I want to be married! This past weekend I went to California to witness the sealing of Courtney Kennedy (my mission trainer) to Scott Toone. They were married in the Oakland Temple and are going to be living in Manteca California. This weekend, in addition to the many other recent weddings, announced engagements, married siblings, married friends, and romantic comedies, has made me seriously reflect on my dating woes and frustrations!

For starters, I have been on some very choice dates that have included: being voted off of the date by the other couples, being accused of stealing my dates "viagra" pen, paying for the rest of the groups and my own scalped tickets to the play/musical because my date didn't have any money, attending the very painful "Book of Mormon Opera", being ditched at a dance by my date, having to drive my dates borrowed stick shift car because he didn't know how to drive it, being groped in a movie that we snuck into and attacked by a college freshman boy when I was still in high school, being whispered sung to the most cheesy boy band songs you can possibly imagine, seeing two boys I have liked a lot get instantly engaged after one date with me, talking about baseball the entire date (a sport I care nothing about!), watching my date text who knows who the entire date because he so clearly did not want to be there with me, and the list could go on and on and on... The point is, I've had some experiences that are memorable but no where near satisfying.
So as I said before, I've been reflecting on these experiences and thinking about the future. I have some questions...
#1 What do you have to do to get that 2nd date?
#2 Why don't men my age pursue relationships?
#3 Why does dating have to suck so much?!
#4 Why are all of the amazing girls I know still single? (Okay clearly not all of the amazing girls I know because all of my friends are married and I think they're amazing too!)
#5 Why do married people always tell single people to enjoy their freedom when we all know no one wants to be alone?!
Again my list of questions could also go on for a while, but I'll spare you. I believe that there is a great misconception going around that if you commit to someone, someone better might come along. My sisters have used the term "FOMO" to describe a fear of missing out on social events/activities. I believe that my generation is suffering from an even worse kind of FOMO, a fear of missing out on the right person, a better person, a fear of missing the freedom that is gone once you are in a commited relationship, a fear of commiting too fast. Whatever the reasons, there is something severly wrong here.
When two people get along really well, and are attracted to each other and enjoy being around each other wouldn't that imply that a 2nd date would be appropirate? Isn't that insentive enough to pursue something? To see if it could go somewhere? What are these brainless boys waiting for?
I want to be married mainly so I won't have to stay suspended in this hellish time of life, dating or not dating, wondering if something will ever happen while trying to tell myself I'm fine with being single.
Perhaps the bitter overtones of this post have been off putting to you or perhaps you don't have anything to say about my thoughts. If anyone has any comments to add to this I will be happy to read them. In the mean time, I hope that this wedding hunger will subside and I will be able to return to my normal state of focus on school and car problems.

The Back Fell Off...

Well there I was driving over to the padres for Thanksgiving when I heard a rumble from down under. I didn't know what was making the noise so I decided to pull over into a parking lot to investigate. This is what I saw...

Pretty sure that's not supposed to happen. Now I will need to take it into a car guy and have them weld my muffler back on. Poor Chocolate... Will she ever be whole again? Until she is fully mended this will have to do:

This whole experience reminded me of a very fun video I had seen recently. I hope you will find it equally humorous.



All I could say was... "The back fell off!"

Happy Thanksgiving!

5 November 2008: A Day for Celebration!

What am I celebrating today?
Three things:

1. Barack Obama won the Presidential Election last night which means that today was the first day of a hopeful future!



2. Today is Guy Fawkes day, a day when we celebrate the unsuccessful plot to blow up Parliament. I would have liked to have spent the evening eating bangers and mash for dinner, burning a dummy on a big bonfire, watching fireworks and then enjoying a classic British film. Instead, I ate some delicious pork dish and did some egg tempera painting.




3. One year ago today, I got on an airplane that took me from Spokane Washington to Salt Lake City Utah, where I was released from being a full time missionary. I have been home for exactly one year! Where has the time gone? I believe that it has been spent traveling, studying, working, reading, learning, talking, laughing, crying, sleeping, adventure seeking, bike riding, bike crashing, eating, electing, voting, and movie watching!



So what am I doing now? Just going to school and working at the MTC Copy Center. I will continue to wear my life out in the laminating of Preach My Gospels and other such silly and uncessary tasks...

A wise man once said, "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." I intend to spend this next year in the pursuit of happiness.

HAPPY 5th of NOVEMBER EVERYONE!

Hollywood's Finest...

So I have lots of crushes these days and thought it might be nice to let the world know that I think all of these young men are pretty good looking. I hope you all enjoy them as much as I do... but you probably won't.




Some day...

"I'd Tap That"

Tee hee hee!



They keeps it so real...

2 Ways to Tie a Pashmina

Anna has requested that I post on how to tie pashminas. Because I am an expert, I have complied with her wishes and hope to pass on my expert knowledge to those less fortunate. (The less fortunate would include but are not limited to: Those who have never owned a pashmina and therefore don't know how to tie one; those who do own a pashmina but still don't know how to tie one; and of course those who have never heard the word pashmina before and have no idea what I am talking about. Oh yes, and ugly people who try to use pashminas to compensate for their lack of beauty.)

Please join me as I go step by step in tying an esthetically pleasing knot that will have fellas all over your neighborhood saying, "Who is that fine looking woman sporting that gorgeous pashmina?"

The Simple Knot:

Step One: Fold your pashmina in half.

Step Two: Take the folded section of your pashmina and procede to step three.

Step Three: Place your pashmina behind your neck at the half way point. This would technically be the quarter point because you have already folded it in half.

Step Four: Take the two loose ends of your pashmina and place them through the loop that has been created at the opposite end of your pashmina.

Step Five: Pull the loose ends of your pashmina all the way through and pull till tight, or until you have reached the desired tightness of your pashmina.

Step Six: Strut your stuff cause you look hot now!

The Braided and slightly more complicated Knot:

Step One: Take your pashmina and mentally divide it into thirds. Once you have established where the thirds mark is, place hand on thirds mark and proceed to step two.

Step Two: Place your pashmina behind your head with the third mark going behind your neck.

Step Three: Proceed to wrap the remaining part of your pashmina around your neck loosely in a 360˚ motion as if you were tying a noose around your neck.

Step Four: Bring the remaining end forward.

Step Five: Take the loose loop you have just created and open it up with one hand while grabbing your pashmina by the end you just finished wrapping around your neck with your other hand.

Step Six: Cross the end of your pashmina over the loop and let it hang there.

Step Seven: Grab the other end of your pashmina, the one you haven't touched since step one and bring it over the loop.

Step Eight: Rest that end of your pashmina in your hand that is holding the loop open.

Step Nine: Grab onto your pashmina that you just placed in your hand.

Step Ten: Pull that end through the loop and adjust to desired tightness.

Step Eleven: Make any adjustments that you think you need to make in order to look your best.

Step Twelve: Work it, you've earned it!

I hope that this pashmina journey has helped you overcome your fears of "difficult knots", "complicated scarf tying", or "feelings of inadequacy because I don't know how to tie a pashmina!" Those days are over. You are now free to roam about the country looking your best and feeling like a winner. I hope you will come back and post your success stories in the comments section of this blog. Remember, it's not easy, but it's worth it.

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

On Saturday night Carrie picked me up and took me to see this movie. I had been dying to see it since the first time I saw a preview for it! In the end I liked it despite it's somewhat crazy depiction of teenage night life in New York City. There were things I didn't like... the sick gum incident that lasted the whole movie, but there were lots of things I loved... I thought it had a great script and a fun soundtrack!


I love Michael Cera and he is the main reason I liked the movie. He had some pretty great lines.

Overall I would give this movie a seven out of ten. I am making no recommendations, nor am I saying its a bust. Do some research on it if you are curious, or don't see it if you have no inclinations at this point. Thanks Carrie for taking me!

Gas Troubles...

It's not what you're thinking... I didn't fart in front of a large crowd of people... that would have been terribly awkward. Instead, I didn't fill my car up with gas when I should have... and thus, she died.

I was on my way to my piano lesson early Saturday morning when I reached the intersection of University and 500 North. As I slowed to a stop, chocolate quit on me. I started panicking, and then calmed down enough to start her up again. She consented, ignited just long enough to pull through the light and then park in front of Bombay house. (Not a bad place to be stranded if you think about it...) When I pulled off to the side, she quit on me again and that's when I realized I had left my cell phone and drivers license back at my apartment. Things seemed pretty grim. I waited five minutes, collected my thoughts and did some soul searching before I tried starting her up. I got lucky and was able to quickly return home before she could die again. I parked her in a prime spot, and then she gave out on me entirely. No matter how many times I tried igniting the engine, there was no response. She was a gonner for sure!

All weekend long I worried about her and wondered what would become of my sweet Chocolat...


I called upon my good friend Jarred Brandt who is a car guy and got his expert opinion. He told me it didn't sound like it a battery problem, I just needed to put gas in my car. Dad came to my rescue and together we purchased some gas and carried it home in his small red gallon sized container.


We proceeded to pour the gasoline into the car to try and revive her, but when I tried to start her up again, she would not allow it. At one point she turned and seemed like she would go, but when I put her in reverse, she gave out. I called Jarred again and told him what happened. He expressed his concern and said there might be a problem with the fuel pump and if that were the case, it might cost somewhere close to $1,000.00 to fix!! He volunteered to come with my other good friend Preston and tow her to a nearby shop where a professional would be able to diagnose the problem.

I had visions of Ray Bradford telling me that she was beyond repair, or that the damage would cost me more than my car is worth.


I had romantic notions of selling Chocolat for parts and using the money I gained from these transactions as a down payment on a fancy seafoam colored scooter.


I saw myself riding around Provo, carefree, liberated from expensive trips to the gas station, and continual trips to the auto repair shop for broken down car problems.


I imagined meeting some man from New Zealand named Lars, Bret, or Karl who would also own a scooter.


We could ride off into the sunset together... I had decided that it wouldn't be so bad if Chocolat never started again... I could have a whole new wonderful life!


Jarred and Preston came to my apartment, had me start the car and put her in neutral while they pushed her out of her prime spot and into a more convenient towing position. Things seemed to be going smoothly. They asked me to put her in gear, this time, she allowed it and I was able to drive around the parking lot no problem! As I pulled into the parking spot I felt a new sense of shame.

It seems to me that whenever there is a problem, it disappears as soon as the experts arrive to solve it. I don't know why this is the case but it happens to me all the time! So in the end, she just needed a little push to get her going and to get the gasoline flowing into the right tubes, or wherever the gas flows... hellifino! I got out of the car, and thanked Jarred and Preston for their help. They just smiled and politely told me to go and get some gas right away.


In my defense, the gas light never came on. I like to think of myself as Cosmo Kramer, testing my car to see how far she can really go once the needle passes the empty sign. I usually wait for that light to go on to indicate when the race against time has begun, but this time, there was no signal. The light never came on...

It was hard giving up those dreams of riding a scooter...

but it will be nice to have a car during the winter.

In the future I plan on filling my car every time it reaches the half full mark so that I never have to go through this whole experience again. (I hope you noted that I said half full not half empty... see how positive I have become?)

Side Pony

Today I wore a side pony. I have been admiring the side pony for quite some time now... it started with Misha Barton in the O.C. and continued to grow. My love for the side pony was solidified when I saw Lady Sovereign sporting the awesome do and then I wanted one too! So today, I was brave, I brushed my hair more to the side than I normally do and came up with this fine looking hair style! I hope you all get to enjoy the side pony for yourselves! Do the do!


"We keeps it so real."

GRADUMACATION!

After what has seemed like many years of schooling I will finally be done! I recently applied for graduation and I will officially convocate on the 24th of April 2009.

The Women

Starring:


I went to see this movie with Alison and Chelsea Gibbs. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it! There were some great lines, wonderful scenes and TONS of excellent actresses, Cloris Leachman being my absolute favorite! This film is a remake of the 1939 "The Women."


I felt that it was more about being entertained than it was about being deep and thought provoking. The entire cast consists of only women; there is not one man to be found in the entire film! I thought this was rather interesting and made me like it even more! If you choose to see it, you should take your girlfriends and leave the men behind.