New Year again

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve! I hope everyone has something spectacular planned. I myself am looking forward to a long night filled with yummy food and fun with friends. I have reservations at Benihana's for dinner then a promising fun filled casino night put on by my BFF's fab. BF Brad. Thanks Brad!

Mostly I'm excited to dress up. Upon my insistence we are getting all spiffed up and I can't wait to put on my new dress and heels. Hopefully I'll have pics for ya'll.

Happy New Year!
I'll let you know how mine was!

maybe not so cute

I know that I have informed you as to how much I adore animals, especially dogs and bunnies. However, I am here to report that sometimes, but only sometimes they can be not so cute.
Today I got home from work to find that my lovable csucsie (choochie) had found a cake mix and scattered it all over the floor. She knew she was in trouble, and my Dad definitely made sure she knew it.
As upset as we all were with her, my heart melted when I caught a whiff of her chocolate cake breath!

bad news

I'm sad to say that today my dress arrived (see previous post) and unfortunately my worst fears became a reality when I put the dress on and found that it was in fact atrocious. I was worried that this was going to happen. It's always hard when you see something online and it just doesn't turn out the way you imagined. But not to worry, I will be returning it to Nordstrom's tomorrow in the hopes that there is something to satisfy my dress needs in the store. I'll let you know!

I'm going crazy

I may be going crazy. I don't know what's happened to me lately, but it seems like I can't help but get all worked up over just about any animal I see. Yesterday my friends and I went to barnes and noble just to look around and of course i went right for the puppy picture books. I know I annoyed my friends but I couldn't help but point out all the cute ones and the ones that I wanted to snuggle with.
But honestly, how could you say no to pups like these?

Dress

okay, I had some credit at Nordstrom and decided that I want a party dress. Not that I ever really go to dress up parties, but I would like to think that I will. Plus, maybe if I have the dress, more opportunities will present themselves, or maybe I'll just end up wearing it to ridiculous places because I have to get my money's worth right? (although I'll let you in on a secret, it was under $50!)

So here is the dress...

Now, I'm a little unsure of how it will look on. I am thinking it will either be absolutely brilliant or, not so brilliant. My plan is to wear it with some adorable tights, colored or maybe just black and then a cute little cardi over.
Thoughts?
(I'm hoping that someone will have a dress up New Year's party, and if they don't I might end up wearing it anyway.)

the crew

So I basically woke up today thinking that opening at J.crew was going to be a nightmare. But, once again, the crew exceeded my expectations. Not only was it not busy until 12, but the crew actually bought us all snacks as well as full lunches including, big sandwich, chips, pickle and cookie. hooray for free lunches!

talk radio, sort of

Okay, so I am not one to listen to talk radio, at all. I would rather drive in silence. For some reason I just can't follow along, and for the most part I end up thinking whoever is talking is a complete moron. Maybe I just don't listen to the right people. Lately, however, I can not bring myself to listen to anything else in the mornings besides the X96 morning show. I used to plug in my ipod and not even think about the radio but for the past few weeks I have wanted nothing more than to hear the hilarious voices of Kerry, Bill and Gina. My favorite day to listen is on Thursdays when they have their "Ask A.." and they have someone new on each time and they interview them and listeners can call in and ask them questions. Some of my favorites include, "ask a homeless man", "ask an escort" and "ask a gas man".

I am completely converted. Today it was adorable. Richie (their young mormon producer(i think?)) was talking with them and told them how when he was a little kid he was really into coloring, and apparently still is, and that his Mom made him a coloring apron. She made slots for all 68 crayons. Then Bill proceeded to make fun of him.

Anyway, if you've ever been skeptical of talk radio you should just give them a listen. Their morning show is on from 6-9 every weekday. fm 96.3

Decisions, Decisions

what classes am I to take? So far I'm signed up for:
-modern japan
-himalayan kingdoms
-black atlantic
-slavery, the slave trade and law
-the korean war
-culture and human experience (aka anthro1010)

I am also considering taking a swing class. I can probably only take three. How am I to choose?? Don't they all sound so fun and interesting? This is my fav part of a semester, choosing classes. I get all emotional and think about the future, how hard i'm going to try to do well in all my classes, study lots, do all my reading and assignments.
I just wish that I could take 'em all!

I want to break free

Fav music video of the moment. Great song, hilarious video.

top 3 on my mind

I desperately want the Hardcore Marc Jacobs Fall bag

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the mac cremesheen Party Line Lipstick, and yes I actually own this one.

My song of the moment is "Piece of My Heart" by Janis Joplin

Thought of the day::

I am wondering:

If I had a kryptonite cross, could I defeat both Dracula and Superman?

D.C.

Vietnam Women's Memorial

My zodiac sign on the floor of the Library of Congress

Union Station

Vietnam Memorial


This past week I was in beautiful Washington D.C. visiting my older brother Michael and his wifey Emily. I went having no expectations. I'm not someone who's really into national monuments, don't get me wrong they are pretty amazing, but I've would have (up till now) put other destinations higher on my list of places to go. I was there from the 11th to the 18th and if only it had lasted longer. Of course, I didn't get to take very many pictures, I'm still working on that area of my life but it was a blast. I tend to always forget what I did on what day after a trip, so just for my purposes I am going to write out each day and how it went.

Saturday: arrive at 10:30 p.m.
pick up Wendy's on the way home, because I'm starving.

Sunday: sleep in, wake up at 9:30ish
after breakfast and shower Michael and I ride the metro down to the National Zoo. It was amazing. We spent several hours there and I've never seen so many cute animals. There were pandas, and otters mewing at us, and all the exhibits were so nice and it was a fabulous Sunday afternoon. plus, the zoo is free!
Dinner at 8:00ish. Michael makes amazing thai food. beautiful coconut sauce, basil, mint, broccoli, mushrooms mmmmmmm....

Monday: Just before Emily and I embark Michael calls and says he's coming home early! yay! (he's in med school and unfortunately didn't have every day off).
12:00 arrive in Baltimore and tour Fort McHenry. The video was the best part.
2:00 arrive in Annapolis and walk along the harbor and the beautiful town. Stop into a local seafood eatery and enjoy my first ever crabcake. delish.
8:00 where to go? the mall of course! Just a short stop in H&M and I'm set with a lovely new droop turtle neck. Also, a few slices of cheesecake to take home

Tuesday: 8:30 wake up early to go to Washington Monument.
9:30 (we got there a little early) visit WWII memorial, which unfortunately was my least fav. then to Vietnam memorial which was amazing. So unique and touching. And even though the women's memorial was not as spectacular I was still very moved by it.
10:00 Washington Monument tour. The view from the top was amazing. It was also a clear day and everything was beautiful and green. On the way down the elevator they slow and let you see some of the special bricks donated by various organizations. They are so beautiful and old and I just loved it, best part of the Wash. monument.
12:00 visit Natural History Museum. Loved it. I love Natural History museums. learning about the past, seeing all the animals, or their taxidermy's (which kind of creep me out, but who doesn't want to see what the past looked like?)
1:30 visit Air and Space. It wasn't on the agenda but we needed a cheap cafeteria fast. It was still really neat though. I learned a lot. I had no idea the Red Baron really existed. I know, ridiculous right? I always thought it was just Snoopy. It was interesting to see how aviation has played such a huge role in history. I didn't expect the museum to even have exhibits touching on the importance of aviation in the wars the U.S. has been involved in. It was also so crazy to be able to look inside the control panel of an old space ship. The controls are ancient looking, and honestly it resembled a hunk of junk, but they took in to space and brought it home with them, amazing.
3:00ish visit the Art Museum. We didn't spend as much time as I would have liked but it was so great. They have a quick one hour tour that we probably spent almost two hours doing. I got to see plenty of Rembrandt's, that I'm particularly fond of. Some astonishing takes of the bible story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife. Beautiful Picasso's and much much more.

Wednesday: Shopping today! Emily and I decided that after our crazy full day on Tuesday (it really was a lot of walking) we would sleep in and then hit up the stores.
12:00 check out Filennes Basement, not so hot.
12:45 dine at lovely Chinese restaurant along the strip mall. It was good though. I also tried my first Bubble Tea. And don't let the name confuse you, it's not really bubbly, it's like big balls of tapioca, or unflavored chewy-gummy weirdness, which wasn't all bad, but still weird. However, the peach flavor was delish.
2:00 Arrive at Tyson's Galleria, and after about 30-40 minutes we realized how poor we were to be at such a high end mall (seriously, not a single store I could afford)
3:00 Arrive at Tyson's Corner, the cheaper, but still nice version of the Galleria. Spend almost two hours in the HUGE j.crew. Unfortunately I get nothing. I almost purchased a beautiful shell colored soft leather tote. Emily was able to take advantage of my discount and got some great buys, including a very cheap cashmere sweater that is a perfect maternity shirt. Then on to two more H&M's (yes, two in the mall) where I buy a sweater at one, and earrings at the other. Then Nordstrom's. Yes I know we have one here, but is our's three levels? no. Does our's have the new and gorgeous fall Marc Jacobs hand bags? hardly. Also, this is where I purchased my lovely on-sale seychelles boots, that yes, fit over my calves.
After shopping Emily Goes to visit a friend while Michael and I have delicious Gyros from a quaint pizza and sandwich shop. And when I say quaint I am saying it very generously. The gyros were delish, but I can't get over the fact that the owners of the store pronounced it exactly as it's spelled, and not it's correct pronunciation. Michael has told me it's been going on for some time now.

Thursday: Sleep in again, why not? I'm on vaca.
Visit the botanical garden. I will admit I haven't always been a plant person, but there are some pretty beautiful plants out there. Orchids are just lovely, the work orchid just drips of elegance, don't you think?
Tour Library of Congress. Maybe one of the most elegant, amazing, intricate buildings we have. Of course, no pictures in the reading room, sad I know. But I did get a few shots, one of the ceiling, my zodiac sign on the floor and some other great shots.
Visit Union Station. Also pretty amazing. It's so great to see such a public place that everyone goes to because all the metro lines meet as well as trains.
For dinner, Papa Johns, my first time. Loved it. Supposedly the owner of the chain used to work for Pizza Hut but believed he could make a better pizza, or so Emily tells me. And boy does he!

Friday: My first train ride! Back up to Baltimore to visit the American Visionary Arts Museum. Maybe my all time favorite. I guess you could joke and say that the art was not made by real artists, but they have an actual art museum all to themselves, so it counts for something. Many of the artists suffered from mental illness or some other handicap and to see what they have created and what has helped them with their illnesses was pretty great. One of my favs was the giant pink poodle. Also learning about screen painting, like painting screen doors and windows, so fun.
Then to meet up with Michael and have dinner at Five Guys, their delicious hamburger joint. Definitely Rivals In-n-out. So good.
$8.00 friday nights at the Aquarium was our next stop. It was packed but for $8.00 how can you complain? (especially when it's normally $22.00) Usually I can say that fish kind of creep me out. Have you ever touched one live? It's a feeling I'm not used to. But, I saw so many amazing species of fish, frogs, sharks and more. I really wanted to pet a ray, for some reason they just seem so petable. the sharks were creepy, just because their mouth is pretty scary, rows and rows of teeth, yikes! The frogs were adorable. SO small! and some really big and gross.

Saturday: Michael had the day off! Too bad I had to leave that day, but at least I got to say goodbye to him. We went out for breakfast, a fun little pastry shop. 5 pastries and the 6th is free! I had a yummy cream cheese and apple danish, and a cream cheese and raspberry croissant.
I hadn't made it to Lincoln all week and so we stopped there on our way to Reagan. It was so inspiring to see him. Although, I will admit there was some resemblance to Zeus sitting on his big throne.
Then to Reagan to catch my long 3 1/2 hour flight home. It was so sad to say goodbye to them. I only get to see my big brother once a year if and I really see how much I've missed them both in my life. I love them so much and couldn't ask for better people in my family. It is fun to have an excuse to visit new places though.

That was my week in D.C. I loved it. The monuments were spectacular, and I really felt a connection with the history and importance of where I live.

Fair Fun

So like I said I went to the fair. I was able to go with my sister and her hubby, my other sister, our dear friend and her niece. We had some good dinner saw all the ingenious crafts and even the bunnies. We also tried some deep fried oreos which I personally thought were quite delicious, but then again I have a pretty good relationship with any form of junk food.

Like I said, ingenious crafts.

I just want to warn you all that I am going to the State Fair next Tuesday and I can't promise I won't come home with a bunny. Maybe one of these cuties.

Brigham City

This Saturday we took our annual trip up to Brigham City. Every year we take our Dad for his birthday to the Idle Isle Cafe where we have a big lunch and then get some of their famous Idleberry pie and banana cream pie. Afterwhich we head over to their candy store and get some of their amazing toffee candy. On our way back to Salt Lake we must stop at Pettinggills (sp?) fruit stand to pick out some of their fabulous fruit and other produce. They also have really great fruit shakes they make right their on the spot. However, this year they weren't making any shakes, very sad I know. So instead we decided to head on over to Farr's Better Ice Cream store and fulfill our ice cream need. All in all it was a successful trip and I definitely look forward to it next year!

Yay for cold food!

Starting last Sunday and ending this past Friday my family has been living out of coolers. Our fridge that I thought would always be with us, died. We had to give most of our food to my sister to keep in her fridge and we were able to keep the condiments and lettuce in the coolers. I think I can honestly say that I have never been more appreciative of refrigerators and cold food.

Bunnies!

I honestly thought I would never go through my bunny phase again but here I am. When I was little I wanted a bunny with all my heart (I guess I never really got it out of me) so much, one time I remember my parents taking me to a pet store to get something other than a bunny, but nothing would suffice and no, we didn't get a bunny.
Last week a little girl returned a bunch of "small pet" books to the library and I couldn't stop myself from looking through them and seeing all the cute pictures. I came across a bunny section and I've totally got bunny fever. I have decided upon a lop-eared bunny. They are so cute, and these (shown above) are a few I've considered (at least from the many I found on google, and don't even try to tell me you couldn't cuddle up with one of these). As I was reading about the care of bunnies I also found out how sociable they can be. In fact once they become accustomed to a particular person they will often just follow them around. How adorable is that? Just think if I had any of these bunnies and they could be hopping behind me at home.
Back to reality. I have a feeling if I came home with a bunny my family would not appreciate it. Also Csucs, our dog, would definitely not get along with another pet, I can not imagine her willingly sharing attention.
It's still fun to dream of owning a cute lop-eared bunny. Coming home from school or work and letting it out of it's cage and having it follow me around my home.

Zions and the Grand Canyon

Last week I had the time of my life with my greatest friends in Zions and at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. These two pictures were taken during our hike in the Narrows at Zions. It was definitely my favorite hike of the trip and these are probably my two favorite pictures. Everyone in our group is in the two pictures save one (Hannah). I had such a fantastic time with my friends, getting to know each of them better and being totally emerged in the beautiful world we live in. I honestly could not even believe there are actual places that are as beautiful as what I saw in Zions and The Grand Canyon, it's truly amazing what beauty there is in the world. If you need a suggestion for a good camping trip I highly recommend the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The campsites were fabulous (very nice bathrooms) and the weather was amazing!

One of my most favorite things is flipping through the channels and finding Jeeves and Wooster on tv. Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry may quite possibly be two of my most favorite actors and Jeeves and Wooster may be one of my most favorite television shows.
The other day a patron came in to the library and returned a bunch of the Jeeves and Wooster books and she recommended them and went on about how great they were (as many patrons do). I decided that since I like the show so much I should try the books. I checked out a few and right now I'm in the middle of the first collection of short stories and it's absolutely hilarious! And having watched the show first I can't help but only picture Hugh Laurie as Bernie Wooster saying these things as well as Stephen fry being Jeeves. They are absolutely delightful and I won't stop until I read them all.

p.s. I am also reading Persuasion, but it may have to go on vacation so I can get through all of my Jeeves and Wooster.

Austen for the first time

I finished my first Jane Austen last night. I picked Northanger Abbey as my first. I often have a hard time reading a book when I've seen the movie first, so even though I am obsessed with Pride and Prejudice I decided to read one of the lesser known Austen.
First of all, what does everyone else think of this novel? Because I was not all that impressed. Of course I loved Catherine, but then I felt that she's the only one worth caring for at all in the book. I pretty much hated everyone else. I was definitely overjoyed when she dumped Isabella because she was trouble right from the first. I never really cared for Eleanor and I didn't really care about Henry either. I know of course that this one of her novels isn't so much about the characters but it just didn't really catch me. I mean it's a short novel and it took me like two weeks to read it because I had to force myself.
Everyone I know adores Austen and her stories so I'm determined not to give up on her yet. I just don't know which one to read next. Any suggestions? I was thinking maybe I would move on to Persuasion but it seems like that's everyone's favorite and I don't know if I want to read the best one next instead of last, but I also need the next one to be good.

My New Bicycle!

Everyone, I want to present my new bicycle to you! This fine piece of equipment belonged to my mom many years ago, but we recycle in this family and it is now mine! I have to say, it's pretty fabulous. I was looking around for a cute townie bicycle for myself and my dad brought this out of the garage and I was in heaven. Until I actually got on it, just kidding. It may not be in the greatest shape, but it get's the job done. I get to have some good bicycle rides and look cute while doing it which, let's face it, is important. Now if only I could find a free helmet I could venture off the sidewalks.

Goodbye

On Monday, my birthday no less, I had to say goodbye to a dear friend. Marcus Shepherd left for his mission early Tuesday morning (but I said goodbye on Monday). He is serving in the Brazil Belem Mission and will be gone for two whole years!! For the past two or three months we have been together almost every day. I really got to know him, and now he's gone. I will of course write him often, and definitely hope he does the same. I will miss Marcus but of course I am very excited for him. I know he's where he should be and I know he will be a great missionary!

beginning summer fun!

yesterday was the most perfect weather! A bunch of friends went to sugarhouse park and played frisbee, ate lemon squares, listened to shakira and, obviously, practiced some expressions! all in all it was a fun day!

happy times hangin out

finally I have a digital camera, and so now finally I can let you all know of the fun times I have with my family. Namely, my nephew Charlie and my niece Maggie.

Here is my Library Thing. It's pretty convenient for me because I was just thinking I needed a way to keep track of the books I read. I'm actually getting to the point where I am forgetting what and when I have read something. I also think it's pretty neat that we can see what other people liked too. All in all I think it's just a pretty cool thing.

Technorati

wow! Talk about overwhelming, for me at least. When I searched for things I got so many results. In a way though it's pretty cool. You can get different ideas for just about any subject, probably a good way to look up something you are unfamiliar with. I don't know how I feel about anyone being able to look up my blog. I suppose it's not as big a deal as I think, but it's still kind of weird.

Del.icio.us

mmm... yummy in my tummy.

But to be perfectly honest I think that tagging is a pretty cool thing. I think that it's a great idea to be able to go to a site that has all your favs right there. I know I forget about a lot of sites, or at least I forget their url's, so to have a place that can remind me of all the cool places out there would be pretty sweet. I'm still figuring out all the details but all in all I think it's a great idea.

Rent!

So I know I just barely posted a video but this has to be one of my favs. Soo funny! Pearl is absolutely brutal.

Nutri Grain Commercial!

Libraries and Myspace

Although I'm not a big fan of Myspace I do think it is a good way for libraries to connect to patrons. I know many young adults use myspace, patrons are always on the site at the library so I think it is a great way to reach out to those patrons. I know we just barely created a myspace and facebook for our library and I think it's great, I think it's a great way to promote programs and other events that patrons might otherwise not be aware of.

WIKIS

I've just learned about the wide world of wikis and I have to say I am impressed. The examples we were given to look up were very cool. I, along with pretty much everyone else, am especially impressed with the book lovers wiki. I think it would be a really cool thing to incorporate into our system somehow, I think that it would become really popular.

slideshow!!

Well I finally figured out how to post a slideshow! So here are all my pictures from my trip to NY this past October! I think it might be better to make an album for them, but seeing as how it took me like a half hour to figure out how to put the slideshow up, it may be a while yet.

post #1

Here I am posting! Hazaah! I am now fulfilling the deepest wishes of my sister, Christine. Xtine, this is for you. I would also like to add that she has sent me 3 emails asking me to set one up, and I expect her to be checking it regularly. If she does, maybe my next post will not embarass her, as I'm sure, or at least hopeful, this one has.