Self-Checkout lines are for the Anti-socials…

Unfortunately Judd has been feeling a little under the weather, so after class today I told him that I would run to the store and get him some herbal tea and Gatorade (his two favorite drinks for when he is sick).  I decided that I would run to Costco because my sister Shelby introduced Judd and me to some yummy seaweed that they are selling there.  Yeah, I know what you are probably thinking.  Seaweed?  Gross.  My mother would agree with you.  I think that my love for seaweed comes from growing up in Hawaii.  We were always eating spam musubis that were wrapped in seaweed.  As for Judd’s love for seaweed?  He is pretty open to trying new food and loves most things that he eats.  Anyway, I go to Costco and find the seaweed!  Yeah!  While I was there I realized that I also needed (more like wanted) granola bars, puppy food, chicken for dinner, and stamps for our thank you cards.  Yeah, you read that right.  OUR THANK YOU CARDS.  Yes, I realize that we have been married a year this month.  Yes, I realize that etiquette is to get them out at most before your sixth month mark.  Yes, I realize that Judd and I are horrible people.  Honestly though, it has been hard.  We couldn’t even order them from the company until we were back from California and this school year has only gotten crazier as we have gone along.  But hey, I figure better late than never.  Anyway, back to Costco.  I leave and suddenly realize that I didn’t even bother to look for Gatorade or herbal tea.  Not that I would want to buy it in the bulk that they would sell it in anyway.  Fortunately Smith’s is on our way home from Costco so I stopped by to grab some and leave.  Of course I also left with cookie dough and The Hobbit on paperback.  It was super cheap and there was no way I could pass up a deal like that.  I was walking to the checkout and realized that every single self-checkout was busy, but there was a cashier who was open.  There was even a line for the self-checkout but this lady was just sitting there waiting for a customer.  I realized that people would much rather check themselves out than have to deal with interacting with a cashier.  I guess it kind of made me sad in a way.  But here is the catch.  I was walking over to her but as I did another lady with a full cart got there before me and started checking out.  I decided to go to the self-checkout instead of waiting for her!  I was sitting there, thinking how sad it was that people try to avoid interactions, yet I was doing the exact same thing!  Now that is some irony for you.  I guess deep down I just have always known that I was anti-social. 

NYR does not stand for New York Rangers

Confession: I rarely (if ever) do a New Year’s Resolution.  I guess my reason for not doing them is because I never follow through.  This is due to most of my NYR not being realistic.  I remember when I sixteen years old my goal was to be able to do 50 fouettes with my left leg on pointe.  What sixteen year old can actually accomplish that?  I am sure that somewhere some sixteen year old can do that (they are probably in China), but as for me, I didn’t do it.  Another reason why I didn’t always set a NYR is because I never really saw the need to do it.  If I saw something in my life that needed to be changed, I went ahead and did it.  I would set goals and accomplish it.  I guess I am just one of those people who set goals along the way as compared to deciding to do a major one at the beginning of each year.  Well this year I am changing my old habits and setting a New Year’s Resolution that I believe I can achieve.  It is this: grow a backbone.  Yup.  You read that right.  Grow a backbone.  Not literally of course (I already have one), but just learn to stand up for what I believe and not try to please everyone. 

This idea for a NYR first started form during the presidential debates.  FB, Twitter, YouTube, and every other social media sites were full of articles and arguments every day.  My values align more with the republicans than democrats so I was hoping for a Romney win.  There were so many times when I wanted to comment on something I read but was always afraid that I would offend this random stranger who I was talking to on the internet and have them hate me for the rest of  my life and refer to me as “that internet girl who didn’t like what I said” and tell stories of hatred about me to their children and make a “I hate the internet girl” club and refer to me when they talked to their grandchildren about who will steal them in the night if they misbehave.  Yeah.  It was sometimes that bad.  That is why I have always admired the people who stand up for themselves.  They state what they stand for and they are not ashamed.  For too long I have been worried about what others will think and say about me instead of taking a stand.

                I want to be braver.  I want to do what I want to do as compared to what others want me to do.  I want people to look to me as an example of how to stand up for themselves as I have looked up to others.

                I am saying all of this because it scares me.  But isn’t that what NYR are about?  Getting out of your comfort zone and really trying to define who you are?  So from now on if I say something that you don’t agree with, please don’t hate me.  Instead be proud that I am choosing to grow a backbone and becoming the person I want to be.  Thanks for all of the love and support that I have received throughout the years!  I have been so blessed.  Here is to 2013 and many more years to learning and growing!

Everybody has to see it at least once.

              Over the holiday break I did something that I have never done before.  I went to the movie theatre twice in three days.  It isn’t that I don’t like movies; I just don’t like movie theaters.  There is something about having to sit in a confined chair that I can’t sprawl out in and having to deal with random strangers stealing my arm rest and feeling like everyone is annoyed with you when you sneeze or cough.  Still, somehow Mom and Judd convinced me to see Lincoln (which I loved) and Breaking Dawn Part 2 (which I didn’t).

                Although I enjoy the books, I don’t really consider myself a Twilight fan.  But I got sick with a cold right before Thanksgiving break and found that Twilight was my go-to book in the house to read while I lay in bed.  I probably like to read them while I am sick because they are easy to get lost in.  Judd must feel the same way because when he got my cold, I walked into our bedroom and found him reading Twilight under the covers.  If you ask him about it now, he will probably deny it.

                One thing I love about holiday breaks is getting to sit around with good food and watch movies.  I did want to see Breaking Dawn Part 2 eventually but I hadn’t seen the first one yet.  Saturday night we couldn’t find LOTR so we decided to watch Breaking Dawn Part 1.  Okay.  Most awkward movie ever to watch with your parents.  Especially your dad.  Especially when Bella and Edward start doing the naughty.  They don’t show anything, but it is still uncomfortable. 

                Eventually the movie ended and we looked at the time and saw that it was only 10pm.  Now I am totally okay with going to bed at 10pm on a Saturday night, but my mother isn’t.  She decided to get online and see if SLC had any showings of Breaking Dawn Part 2.  Sure enough there was a 10:40pm showing so we drove down to see it.

                ***SPOILER ALERT***  If you have not seen Breaking Dawn Part 2 yet and you would like to see it then don’t read any further.  I don’t want to ruin it for you. 

                The movie was going fine and I was okay with everything on the screen until the final fight scene.  Especially when the heads started popping off.  Once I saw Carlisle’s head detached from his body, my stomach did a flip flop.  And it didn’t get any better.  Head after head after head.  I about lost my stomach.  But literally though.  In the middle of the movie theater I put my head in between my knees to keep from bringing back up all the popcorn I was eating.  Thank goodness Judd saw what was happening and handed me the popcorn bucket in case I couldn’t make it to the bathroom.  Mom was just laughing at me… and all the flying heads.  Apparently it didn’t bother them like it bothered me.  I have to admit that I was relieved when it ended and saw that it was all just a vision.  Even so, I don’t think I will be watching that movie again anytime soon.  Yuck.  Flying heads is the worst.

Why I don't have a major.

College is hard.   I can’t believe I woke up this morning thinking, “I still don’t have a major.”  It isn’t that I haven’t picked one out.  I have.  About 5 times.  First semester was easy: double major in dance and political science.  But I couldn’t help but think that a dancing politician really wouldn’t be that needed.  So the next semester I became more practical.  How about sociology?  I mean what isn’t fascinating about women studies and learning why Siegfried Freud made leaps and bounds in his field.  But I couldn’t shake all of the strange feminist ideas that were being thrown at me so I figured to become more professional.  Third semester: business degree anyone?  Psh.  That was a joke.  I got a C- in Accounting 200 and have never been so proud of myself.  So I decided to go easy on myself; I would stay professional but still have a good business-like degree: advertising.  I spent one semester prepping myself for the program and suddenly realized that I am not crazy enough to come up with stuff like the Dollar Shave Club commercial.  So here I am in my fifth semester of college finally leaning towards Public Relations.  PR is great.  I get to work with businesses but I don’t have to be the guy who shows up to work every day wearing shorts in winter and coming up with great ideas while playing ping-pong.  I can do PR…I think.  I just have to apply for the major now.  And I am running out of options because I am coming to close to 75 credits and at BYU, after 75 credits a major change is hard.  After all, the only reason to go to BYU is to get married.  Administrators don’t actually care if you get a degree.  That is why rumor has it that they kick you out after seven years.  I’m not worried though.  I did my duty to BYU and found myself a good-looking husband.  Now I can just become a house wife and depend on him for all my needs.

                Joke.  The thing is I really want a major.  I feel self conscious when Facebook asks me what I am studying at BYU and I don’t have an answer for it.  I think that it would be cool to say I am studying (fill in the blank) and have everyone be jealous of me.  But that isn’t the case.  I had to sit down and think to myself why I don’t have a major and I realized one thing.  I am going to do exactly what my generation does.  I am blaming society for me not having a major.

                You see, I grew up hearing that I could do anything!  My teachers and others always gave “constructive criticism” and told me not to give up.  Don’t get me wrong, I am so glad that I was never put down as a kid, but in some ways did it hinder me?  Suddenly I can’t figure out what I want to be when I grow up because I was always told that I could do anything I wanted.  So I took what society was telling me and I dreamt about being a scientist, engineer, English teacher, President of the United States.  It didn’t matter if they were or were not practical because I had no limits!  Unfortunately, now I am a junior in college with no major and no plan.  Oh well.  At least I have my dog.

Ketchup? No, catch-up.

I realized that I haven’t written a blog post in a while.  My first thought was that it must be that I don’t have much to say/update.  Then I realized that was far from the truth.  I always have a ton to say.  Judd isn’t even sure he can remember a time when I didn’t have a ton to say.  I guess I have just kind of got to that time when you are in the middle of school and suddenly you get into a schedule (mine is usually school, dance, pinterest/facebook, bed) and you think that you don’t have time for anything else.  But it would be so selfish of me to not make better use of time and express some gratitude.  Yes, I know that it is November and I am not just doing it because of Thanksgiving.  If anything, I am doing this because my birthday is in 10 days and I want everyone to remember.  Joke.  But really though.  My birthday is my favorite holiday.  Anyway, back to the whole sentimental, grateful stuff….  I was able to see my sister Shelby for the first time in over a year.  I didn’t realize how much I missed her until I saw her again.  Growing up it was the family joke that I had four moms instead of one.  That is what happens when you have three older sisters.  Either way, I love them all so much and am so blessed that they are in my life.  I mean, who else would have taught me “light as a feather, stiff as a board,” or how to spell Adidas?  I am a lucky one that is for sure. 

I also couldn’t help but be grateful for my hot husband.  And by hot I mean wonderful and amazing.  Guess who takes Nixon out to go potty when it is freezing outside?  Judd.  And guess who does the dishes when I don’t want to?  Judd.  And guess who lets me buy a box of grasshoppers when I really shouldn’t?  Judd.  All of that and a great personality. 

So even though school seems a little daunting right now I know that I am beyond blessed and I am grateful for that every day.  Hopefully I will do better in updating everyone about me life!

Beach Boys are my life.

First of all I need to apologize.  I am so sorry Mom for calling you practically everyday while I was in California telling you how much I missed Utah and my family. You were right. It was not the end of world and I would miss it once I moved back. Yup. I am missing it now. School has started for me and Judd and it is so nice to see him all the time! It is like we are finally married! I am surprised that we are not sick of each other yet. Speaking of getting sick of each other, tomorrow is our 5 month anniversary! Time flies when you’re having fun. But really. Favorite moments in California:

1. Getting Nixon (duh)

 2. THE BEACH!

3. Going on adventures

4. San Francisco almost every weekend


5. Mom visiting me!

 
 Yes I know that all of these picture have Nixon in them. What can I say? With a face like his how can I not have him in every single picture I own?

Happy Independence Day!

I love the 4th of July. It is by far my most favorite holiday. You are the in the heat of summer, there is excitement in the air, fireworks are being set off, and you spend a lot of family time at barbeques eating food. Lots and lots of food. Maybe all of the food is the reason why it is my favorite holiday. Although I usually spend every 4th of July looking for as many veterans and active duty soldiers as I can and cry as I thank them. Two years ago I spent the summer in Washington DC and came across some WWII vets that were checking out the monuments made for them. I finally managed to corner one and started bawling as I told him how grateful I was for his service. I was crying so much that he assumed I had lost someone in the military and sent his condolences. I had to correct and let him know that everyone I knew in the military was healthy and well. That was when he gave me a strange look and told me to have a nice day as he walked away. I am such a baby when it comes to the military. Maybe it has to do with having a father as a retired military officer who proudly served this country for 23 years or two amazing brothers-in-law who are still in the service. Either way, I love the 4th of July. So yesterday being the 4th of July I wanted to have some kind of celebration. Judd was taking a half day but would still be at work until 4pm so I went on a search for some 4th of July festivities on my own. It turns out that Pleasanton does a really cool America presentation in one of their parks on the 4th of July. I showed up with Nixon and found people in lawn chairs and blankets listening to speakers pretending to be different characters from history. There was also a brass band that played patriotic songs in the background as they spoke. It was my kind of celebration. A cute old man handed me a program and a mini flag and I went to find a good place to sit myself and my puppy. That is when I realized two things: 1. Californians love dogs. 2. Nixon is a totally ham. You can’t really blame him. I mean, with a face like his who couldn’t love him? I also had tied a red bandana around his neck for the occasion so he looked especially cute. But seriously though. I couldn’t walk 10 feet without someone saying, “Oh! What a cute puppy!” Nixon was eating it up. He would let them walk up to him and stretch out his neck so that they would give him a good scratch under there. He would be so gently with the kids and lick their hands without trying to chew on them. The kids would squeal and giggle and the parents would just smile. This one mom went and grabbed her three other kids that were sitting on lawn chairs to come see the puppy. He was a hit to say the least. There was an ice cream stand and after ordering a cone, I asked the guy if I could get a water cup. He told me it was going to be 50 cents but when he saw Nixon he said he would give it to me for free. I was still in a little bit of shock after seeing how much Nixon loved the spotlight. And of course as soon as we got home he completely ignored me and fell asleep. What a silly goose.

He was passed out until Judd got home and we began getting ready for our 4th of July barbeque. I had a little surprise for Judd. Lizzie and I had bought matching 4th of July shirts the four of us. We were so excited and had spent the day before running around California looking for shirts on such short notice. I was just glad that she was just as excited as I was to match and didn’t think I was a freak in the store when I begged her to let us match. But when I showed Judd the shirt the first thing out of his mouth was, “No.” Here is the thing with Judd that I have noticed. He hates matching anyone. Even getting remotely close to matching someone. I first noticed it when we were dating and we each had a coat that was army green. We both ended up wearing it one night while we were on a date and he took it off and spent the rest of the night coat-less and freezing. I have never seen him wear that coat since. I was worried that the matching shirts were going to be a problem but after some convincing and some threatened tears he agreed to wear it. We all went to the park, wore matching shirts, took family pictures, and had a great time. It went really well and it was a great way to spend the 4th of July.