My New Obsession

Being a young SINGLE woman sometimes songs just hit you harder than if you were in a different stage in life.  This song has become a favorite of mine very quickly.  Thank you to the artist who took the time to blend together the words and music of this song so that it could touch my soul.

Blog Posts I Wish I Had The Time And Energy To Write

She Just Needs Twu Wuvs First...Second...Third Kiss

Don't Pretend You Don't Sing In Your Car Too

Is That Supposed To Be A Mustache?

All Good Kids Like Milk

The Great Spider Trauma Of Tuesday Night

Orange Toenail Polish And Its Curative Powers

Life Rearranged

Because Of The Wind

The plan - boating.  Standing on the shore watching the water swell into miniature tidal waves - the reality.  It wasn't a complete waste.  The scenery surrounding the the choppy lake was breathtaking.  Light from the heavens streamed through light gray and white clouds to illuminate the majestic mountains that embraced every side of the lake.  I couldn't help but dream of conquering one of those mountains some day.  Since I was a child I have wanted to climb a mountain.  Not just hike up one but use my strength to pull myself up one crack and crevice at a time.  Dreams make life bearable.

Dominating At Golf....Mini Golf That Is

The rush of a hole in one is something that can bring instant pride and satisfaction.  Getting a hole in one twice in a row can make you just giddy.  I may not have many skills in the field of sports, but mini golf is one sport that evidently I am a pro at.  Are there mini golf leagues out there somewhere where I could make my millions just by winning one game of golf?  I know the pro's can do that in full sized golf so I think that at the very least I should be able to make a couple thousand by playing and winning a game of miniature golf.  Anyone interested in being my sponsor?  I promise you 2% of everything that I make. : )

Freeway Driving

Driving on the freeway is like a dance where everyone knows the steps, yet no one know the steps.  Cars merge and move from lane to lane.  Blinkers flash and quick calculated moves are instigated in a matter of seconds.  Each new exit and entrance brings new dancers on and off of this pavement stage.  Most of the time the dance goes on without a hitch but every once in awhile a misstep is taken and disaster strikes.  This leads to a much slower dance like a waltz than the spirited cha cha previously participated in.

The Kid From Harry Potter?

The following conversation just happened:

Roommate "Have you ever heard the song Lego House by Ed Sheeran?"

Me "No, let me look it up."

I then proceed to go to Youtube and look up the music video. 

Me "Isn't that the Kid from Harry Potter?"

Roommate "No, I think they might look similar.  Ed Sheeran has red hair."

Me "Are you sure that's not the kid from Harry Potter?"

Roommate suddenly looking over at the screen, "THAT'S THE KID FROM HARRY POTTER!!"

Me (hands mentally thrown up in the air in exasperation)

Puzzled Over Puzzles

I have been working on finishing a puzzle that has utterly stumped me.  I have complete trust and belief that every single piece of the puzzle is still present and accounted for but my faith is starting to wain.  I have not even been able to to find all the the pieces that make up the border, which I don't know about you, but I always try to complete the boarder first before moving on to the inside.  The effort has even been taken to go through and sort out every single piece.  All I can say is that it is a good thing that I didn't pick the "difficult" puzzle to start out on.  I at least am working on a "medium" difficulty leveled puzzle.  That way I can always move up in difficulty, that is if I can ever finish this one.

                            

                                                                     

                                  

                                                                

Weaning Myself Back Into Baking

For a few years cooking was my life.  My college education was even enhanced by a Culinary minor.  I spent time as a professional chef at a couple of restaurants and even contemplated becoming a culinary professor, but sadly I will admit to the fact that I have not truly cooked/baked in over a year (the time it has been since my last job as a chef).  Yes, I have made some things.  I have "cooked" pre-prepared store bought food.  I have "baked" boxed cake mixes.  I have even pulled out my chef's knifes to chop up a few ingredients every once in awhile, but that doesn't count as truly preparing anything worth while.  It doesn't help that I am a poor 20 something just trying to make it paycheck to paycheck and the kind of ingredients that I would love to use just do not fit into my small budget.

As an attempt to return to my culinary past (okay, so it isn't that far past, but its been long enough) I have decided to wean myself back into baking.  To begin this endeavor I had to start small (due mostly to my budget restraints), but even small steps can lead to great strides.  Tonight's attempt - cupcakes.  I will let you in on a secret and tell you that I used a boxed cake mix, but the frosting was completely and perfectly made from scratch. Of course I couldn't just follow the recipe (being a former chef).  I added a few extra ingredients to the the recipe and luckily they turned out great.  I didn't get too fancy and pull out my decorating tips, but with the right amount of sprinkles they turned out delicious looking anyways.

Lets see what my future of baking will bring next.

A Day Out

Today is a day to use less words and more pictures.

A waterfall even a man made one in the
middle of the city is a wonder to behold.

A saying to live my life by.

My Beautiful Sister

The line of shops we visited on our day out.

One of the ducks was a little shy.

Beware of whats in the water.
This river just isn't as safe as it once was.

A Cottage Cheese Tattoo?

I carried on a conversation with a young man today that I am still trying to figure out or forget.  I can't remember how we ended up on the topic of tattoo's, but that is what the conversation landed on for whatever reason.  The main point that the young man was trying to convey to me was that though he would never actually get a tattoo he had spent a good quantity of time deciding on what tattoo he would get if he were so inclined.  A large portion of what had lead him to his final decision revolved around the fact that as people age the tattoo that they have would age with them, so therefore he would need a tattoo that would look better and more realistic the older he became.  His conclusion...cottage cheese.  Yes, you read correctly, cottage cheese.  I'm not certain that I even want to tell you where he would get the tattoo on his body, but in order to let you fully comprehend why he made this decision I will need to.  His body part of choice....his upper thigh, right below his buttocks.  Yep!  His reason, because as he aged and started to get "cottage cheese" legs the tattoo of the cottage cheese would just improve with his ageing.  Have I fully weirded  you out?  I know that the conversation was very strange to myself and I left it fully embarrassed and red faced from giggling.  He offered to show it to me if he ever actually got the tattoo, but I had to respectfully decline.  I NEVER want to see anything like that!!!!

I Know Where You Sat

I had the wonderful opportunity to go and visit my parents as a tag along with a young man, his mother, and his two younger brothers who needed to go up to visit the camp where my parents are currently serving their mission.  The young man needed to discuss an eagle service project with the man in charge at the camp and the family nicely invited me to join them.  After sitting and talking with everyone my father stood up to leave and I noticed that with the fabric that the couch was made of you could see the perfect outline of his jeans.  Sometimes you just have to notice the little things that show up in the most random places.

To Sleep Per Chance To Dream

Dreams are marvelous.  As you sleep and rest your body your mind gets to try to sort out what has occurred previously in your life and all the possibilities that could occur.  It takes hold and has complete reign and control over everything that you have ever experienced when it creates a dream.  Friends, family, and even complete strangers can play vital roles in a whole knew world that comes to life during sleep.  Whether you end up climbing a mountain with your brother or grocery shopping with a friend each new idea presented leads you on a wondrous adventure.

The Taste Of Freeze Dried Chocolate Ice-creme

Take a marshmallow from a Lucky Charms box.  Now make that marshmallow the size of a Fat Boy ice-creme sandwich.  Add the rich intense flavor of a deep milk chocolate pudding that melts in your mouth like the smoothest chocolate mouse.  Mix in miniature chocolate chips and you might come close to the flavor experience that I had this evening in eating a freeze dried chocolate ice-creme square.  Why would I even try such a thing as freeze dried ice-cream?  I have always heard that it had the consistency of powdered sugar and would coat your mouth like eating a spoonful of dry flour.  Luckily for myself this couldn't be further from the truth. My roommate works for a food storage company and decided out of the blue, on what was most likely a passing whim, to have me try this decadent (can you use the word decadent when describing freeze dried food) dessert.

On first handling the wrapped treat I will admit my skepticism and very near complete desire not to partake in this taste experience, but I am surprisingly glad that I gave the freeze dried ice-creme a chance.  Don't be concerned, I do not plan on making this a normal pantry item for myself, but if I were ever offered the chance to try another freeze dried dessert I will be more willing to say yes with only the smallest hesitation.  

Let It Rain

Now that you have contemplated the beautiful clouds take a look at the rain.  Let the sound of the thunder reach your very core.  See the bright flash of the lightning suddenly make the darkness receed.  Have you ever tried to trace the path that the lightning took?  Each bend in the bolt taking the light a different direction.

Now just feel the rain.  Each droplet that rolls down your face leaves a trail of moisture.  Drop, drop, drop.

Now smell the fresh air.  The rain has washed the world clean.

Clouds

The next time it is stormy outside, not raining or windy stormy, but billowing cloud stormy look up.  Take a moment to soak in the wonder that is filling the sky above you.  An array of clouds paint white, grey and black designs against the faintly peaking through blue background.  You see the work of a master painter as he brushes his paintbrush in wide strokes against an ever growing canvas.   Explosions start to encompass each direction that you gaze.  It is as if the Greek Gods of ancient time are alive and well battling it out to the death.  Right above your head an entire world is just waiting to tell you its story through the medium of a stormy sky.

I Would Write Something But I'm Too Tired

Yep, that is the extent of it!

The Unappearing E-mail

I have no idea why?  I have no idea from whom, but I have desired an e-mail all week.  I have not written to anyone so I cannot really expect an e-mail when I have not put forth the effort.  All I know is that the spam/junk e-mails I did receive just did not cut it.   No, I don't need to sign up for a subscription to your magazine.  No, I do not need to come to your store and buy more clothes.  No, I am already in the middle of reading a book so I do not need to purchase another one, plus there is a beautiful well stocked library just up the road.  All that I wanted though was some personal communication from someone.

 It is amazing how easily we can communicate with one another anymore yet we just don't take the time.  A text, an e-mail, a message on Facebook or twitter can be received in seconds.  A letter can be written and mailed across the land to be received in a couple of days.  We are so connected to one another yet so far away.

A Comparison Study In Dinner Party Preparation

I was the queen of the murder mystery dinner party.  I don't mind admitting it.  Tracking down the perfect murder mystery to play.  Meticulously planning and preparing the menu.  Painstakingly deciding and finding who would attend and what character they would become/emulate.  Completely rearranging the front room to become whatever backdrop would best suit the time and place that each dinner was set during.   I loved every minute of it.  Even the stress and worry associated with trying to pull off the perfect evening was in a way enjoyable.  For months this is what I was passionate about.  I could only pull off about one a month because of how much work went into each dinner, but that once a month was perfect.

In comparison since I have moved out on my own and have not had the ability to pull off another dinner party my brother and his friend decided to pull off a murder mystery dinner of their own.  To help out a little bit I have gone shopping for ingredients with him, lent him my recipes, and helped a little in the rearranging of the front room.  What a difference there is in how my brother and I plan and prepare for dinner parties.  I would have the front room set up and completely ready for guests to attend the party the night before the event.  My brother is still working on getting the front room decorated and the dinner is in half an hour.  I would pull out the fine china to use.  My brother was perfectly content to use the everyday dishes until I pointed out that we didn't have enough to accommodate all his guests.  I would spend hours the day of the dinner doing prep work and cooking the meal.  My brothers preparations in all for the food took about an hour and a half tops.  I would pull out my trusty chefs knifes and jacket and go all out.  My brother just cut up basil using a dull pizza cutter.  It is completely opposite to how I would have gone about doing things, but you know what, it works.  He is going to have as much fun with his friends the way he has done the preparations as I had with my friends when I did the preparations.  When it comes down to it the whole point of the evening is to have fun.  He is going to have fun.  I kind of wish that I could be a fly on the wall to listen to all the excitement and intrigue that will occur.

The Broken Lamppost

Right outside of my apartment complex there is a lamppost that lights the night whenever anyone comes home late.  Instead of stumbling around in the darkness this lamppost allows any passerby to see with clarity the path before them.  Sometimes I imagine that this lamppost leads the way to a magical place.  Stories come to life in my imagination as I walk past this lamppost.

As I walked outside today I noticed to my utter heartbreak that someone had knocked the lamp off of the post to hang dejectedly only holding on by a few wires.  Who would do such a thing?  Why take away such a wondrous thing as the light from a lamppost?  I hope that we will not be deprived for too long of its brightness.

One Flat Tire Leads To Another

How is it that after pumping up my one flat tire located at the rear of my current riding apparatus that the opposite tire located at the front of my current riding apparatus is now at a lower level of air than the rear tire was pre-pumping?  Is that some kind of Murphy's Law or something?  If it can go wrong it will type thing?  Someone explain to me how that happens and why.

This evening I was stuck.  I was stuck because I wanted to go on a bike ride but could not because I had a flat tire.  This sad circumstance came about on Monday when for my normal morning routine I pulled my bike out to ride it to work and only made it 2 feet before I felt the sluggish response of a low back tire.  Thus began my days of being stuck.  Tonight though I was going to change all that.  I would fill that bike tire if it was that last thing that I did.  (I'm glad that filling up my bike tire was not the last thing that I did because what a way to end everything.  "How did you end it all?"  "Oh, I was filling up my bike tire."  Not so exciting or full-filling. (Did you see how I did that?  Full-filling.  After talking about filling up my bike tire.  Ha ha ha.  Okay, maybe it wasn't that funny.))  Luckily I had a solution to my problem of being stuck.  It came to my recollection that I have family that lives right up the street from where I now reside.  This knowledge only hit me after an extensive web based search for a gas station located near yours truly that would endeavor to offer free air in the attempt to solicit more customers.  My search for free gas station air was for naught but at least my riding did not come to naught after the realization that a bike pump was located at what was not an unreasonable distance.

Hoping on my semi-flat tired bike I rode off into the sunset with my loyal roommate in search of the all too needed bike pump.  I'm glad my family was all to happy to help me in my quest to not be stuck.

The tire was filled and the riding commenced, but as I have conveyed earlier in this thrilling tale its flatness was only replaced by the flatness of the other tire.  I had to turn around.  Good thing that bike pump was still located exactly where I had placed it only 10 minutes previously.  The other flat tire was filled and as the sun was still setting I was able to continue my ride off into the sunset.

50 Whole Cents

You know what can ruin your day faster than anything else?  The vending machine not dropping what you just spent 50 whole cents to buy.  It makes it seem like the entire world is out to get you.  If I had only know that such a dramatic occurrence would happen with my 50 cents I would have more wisely spent it.  That 50 cents could have bought a new pair of  shoes (remember how my "new" converse tennis shoes only cost me 50 cents at a yard sale).  That 50 cents could have bought at least 1 stamp with a couple of cents left over to mail a letter.  No, instead it was lost forever in the recesses of the ungiving vending machine.

Startled By Flowers

I was focused.  I was in the zone.  That paperwork was going to get done and it was going to get done well.  A steady beat filled my head as music played in my ears emanating from the earphones connected to my Ipod.  It was just me, my work computer, those forms, and my Ipod.  I was being productive.  Suddenly out of the corner of my eye a mixture of yellows and whites came into view.  Flowers!  A beautiful bouquet of freshly cut and arranged flowers.  Why were they being placed on my desk?  Who could they be from?  This bright ray of sunshine to fill my day and bring a smile to my face.

Thank you for the flowers.  They were exactly what I needed and will be for the next few days as their bloom remains full.  You know what I need sometimes before I even do.  That is why you are my mom.  Thank you.

Don't Eat The Pasta Salad

Poor choice of the evening...eating the pasta salad.  Why pasta salad did you look so good?  Why did you tempt me with your array of colors and textures?  Why did you call to me from the entire table filled with food?  Your neighbor, the crescent, would not have treated me this way.  The fruit salad two dishes down from you would not have treated me this way.  Why did you have to choose this evening to unfold your dastardly ways?  You leave me no choice.  No, pasta salad I will not partake of you next time!  I will not succumb to your noodly ways with your vegetables, cheeses, and dressings!  No manner of shape be it rigatoni, ziti, or rotini will tempt me to come back to you.  I say nay!  Oh look.....that shell salad looks kind of good.....

The Unstampted Passport

About a year and a half ago I had a crazy idea that I was going to move to Norway with my best friend.  I was going to explore a strange new land, seek out a new life and a new civilization, and overall boldly go where I had never gone before.  I was going to try out my wings in the grandest way that I could think of.  How better or more intensely could I see if I could survive on my own?  I would literally be cut off from most everything that I knew.  Well as you can probably tell because I am not writing this post from Norway my adventure never happened.

After all the research, gaining a passport, and planning, it came to nothing.  I learned about a strange new land, I educationally sought out that new civilization, and was only mentally able to go where I had never gone before to seek out a new life.  Sadly as such my passport that I so willingly gained now currently resides in a safe never having seen the excitement of travel.

Crafting With My Sis

On a complete whim due to the fact that I would be in her part of the world on Saturday I decided to spend Friday evening and night with my sister.  It is a good thing that she agreed to this arrangement because it sure beats sleeping in my car.

As an activity to stay the encroaching powers of boredom (not really because hanging out with my sis isn't boring) we decided to do some crafting.  Now crafting isn't a very big thing that my sister and I do.  She has surly done more "crafts" than I because my idea of crafting is making sure that my shoes are tied when I leave my apartment and my bed is made when I leave my room.  My philosophy on the matter mostly entails that if it didn't start out that way it doesn't really need to be changed.  It was time to get my craft on though.

My sister is the Camp Director in her ward and as such she is in charge of making sure that EVERYTHING gets done.  Part of her job description (that I'm sure she has given herself) includes preparing the crafts that the girls will do and having an example to show them.  I would probably just describe the craft to the girls as best as I could and then leave them to their own devices, so it is very good that I am not the Camp Director, the crafts coordinator, or even going to camp.

The craft that we did was decorating note boxes for the girls.  Each girl will have her own box that others can put kind notes, handouts, and overall inspiring tidbits to raise each girls spirits through the time that they will be at camp.  I was overall very impressed with what I was able to turn out.  Of course my sisters box was much better and fit the theme of what the girls would be doing, but I gave it a fair go.  Since I love the beach and currently wish that I was there as the temperatures keep raising I did a turtle/shell theme.  Now my great accomplishment in the field of crafting can be shown off in all its glory along with my sisters when the girls do their very own craft box.

Parades On The 4th Of July

I love parades.  I love how so many people come together in one place to celebrate and share swelling emotions together.  I love the detail and work that has gone into each float, marching band, and group that rolls/marches/parades past.  I love the patriotic feeling as everyone stands up to pay tribute to the veterans of war as they ride past.  I even love accepting the never to actually be used fliers that companies pass out along the parade route.  Parades are wonderful whether you are a participant in them or a participant from the sidelines.

 

A Lady Bug And Fireworks

You may remember my adventure swimming with my friend (it happened last night and was my last post so it shouldn't be too difficult to recollect) but I failed to mention a few aspects of the evening.  As we were making our way from one end of the pool to the other we both noticed an amazing sight.  Outside the square windows that gave you a view of the night sky fireworks were exploding in their wide array of colors.  Every few seconds a new burst would appear in the sky to light up the darkness around it.  It made my heart leap with wonder.  How beautiful fireworks can be.

Later as I was changing out of my swimming suit I noticed that I had gained a new friend.  A lady bug had perched on the strap to my swimming suit.  The bright red against the deep black of my suit was appealing to the eye.  I gingerly placed my new friend on the the bathroom sink and proceeded to finish getting ready for the night.  The only sad part to finding the lady bug is that when I came back to the sink to take the lady bug outside it was no longer there.  I hope that it made it out to the night air but it is more likely that the lady bug will end its life somewhere in my bathroom possibly in the dark recesses behind the washing machine.

Swimming And Reconnecting With An Old Friend

Nothing beats the feeling of your body gliding through cool crisp water.  Each stroke breaks the still serene surface ahead of you.  Weightlessness envelopes you  and can make you think that you are floating through a cloud.  The enjoyment is even heightened if you enter a pool of water after a long hot summers day.  Swimming is the perfect way to end a long day and let all your worries and cares drift away in the water that surrounds you.

Tonight I attended a young single adult activity that was being held at the local junior high school.  I was excited to spend the evening socializing with people my same age but in all my excitement I never expected to be reunited with one of my dearest friends.  After a year long separation because of moving, getting new jobs, dating (on her part), and simply loosing contact with one another we met again at this activity.  It was so much fun to catch up on each others lives and connect as if we had never been apart.  It didn't feel as if we had ever been separated and our conversation ran on as if the talking had never stopped.  True friends can survive the test of time and separation to even grow stronger.

Where does the swimming come in you may ask?  Well my friend has a pass to the rec center down the road and wanted to continue our time together.  After the smallest of suggestions (it wouldn't have taken much to convince me to go swimming with her) we started our adventure to make it to the pool and have enough time to swim and enjoy ourselves before the pool closed at its allotted time.  With our speed and desire we made it to the pool with 20 minutes to spare.  The man at the front desk felt bad for making me pay full price for such a short amount of time but I was more than willing to pay the full fair price to end my day in the perfect water with such a good friend.