Upon Arrival

I arrived to the sunny and humid weather of So. California about a 1.5 weeks ago. I still feel like I'm in the process of moving since I haven't unpacked. Upon my arrival, I interviewed with a company based out of Chino Hills. I'm proud to report that I did land the job and I will be working in Pasadena as a technology teacher. I'm super excited about my job and looking forward to moving out there. I've heard good things about Pasadena and will hopefully find a gem for a housemate. I will surely miss the clean air, mountains, and my friends. I will not, however, miss driving in the snow. Here is a clip of my bro-in-law reading the kind note that was given to me before I left, he says: "this is how I imagine the guy that gave this to you."

"By unanimous decision..."

The votes are in. 'Moving to Southern Cal' won by a landslide. Thanks to all those who voted, I now know what to do with my life. California: here I come. It looks like only one person will miss me here in Utah. Cali friends, I'll see you around mid-July!

Should I stay or should I go?

I can't decide, help me decide...



I just got back from Huntington. I went out for a few job fairs and to look for employment. As some of you know, I just graduated and I'm looking for a job that pays what I deserve. I miss LA and Huntington Beach so much but I'm so comfortable here in SLC. I can't decide if I should stay in SLC or if I should just move out there with no job. Right now I'm working part-time in SLC from home with full benefits. I'd keep the job and move to Calif but I can't work from out-of-state. If I stay in Utah I'd have some source of income and can job search when I get off work, around noon. If I move out to CA I'd have to move in with the parents until I find a job (ugh!). I'm so ready for a change, I'd love to move to LA but I can't until I have a job offer. It sucks looking for a job in CA when I'm in UT. Then I think about Salt Lake, I like it here, most of my friends are here, it's clean, not as much traffic, I'd be able to purchase a nice house in the near future, hmmm...what else? I love OC and LA, perfect weather, it's where I grew up, I miss it, I need a change. BUT the traffic is depressing, I wouldn't be able to afford a house until I'm about 40, and living with my parents until I find a job is scary!

Tools of Ignorance

Tools of Ignorance (n): baseball slang term for catcher's equipment.

I agreed to watch my friend, Adam play city league co-ed softball on Friday. First requirement: four girls minimum on each team. Only three girls had shown on Adam's team, the fourth girl was going to be late. And guess what? Yes, I was told if I didn't play I would force the team to forfiet. What?! I don't like playing playing sports, mostly because I'm not very athletic. I love watching sports but playing, no way! I never played sports when I was growing-up only during recess and P.E. Even then, I didn't enjoy it very much. I would rather run the mile than play flag-football. I thought of two excuses: (1) I was wearing flip-flops and (2) I haven't played since elementary and I sucked. I know I sucked because evertime I came up to bat the outfielders would take about seven steps closer because they already knew I didn't hit the ball very hard.

Well, those excuses didn't work. I was given a long pair of red socks and Converse and was told to erase the elementary school memories. The first time I went out to bat I hit the ball and didn't make it to first. The second time, I didn't attempt a hit and walked. Adam hit me in. The last time I went up to bat I striked out. My outfield position: catcher. Playing catcher was not easy, I throw like a girl. The next day my arm was sore.

I have to admit that I had eff you en. Final score: Us 16, Christians 14. At the end of the game the Christians did a prayer circle and Adam joined it to be silly. In their prayer they said: "Please help those in this circle that haven't accepted you." I think they were talking about Adam, he he he.

"there is one thing I would break up over and that is if he caught me with another man. i wouldn't stand for that."

i've been addicted to blogging this week. oh yeah, it's because I don't have anything better to do. just wanted to share a silly, silly story with you and a short film to compliment it.

so the story goes, there is this guy that i met briefly about four years ago. we lived in the same complex down in happy valley and we only interacted twice after our first encounter. shortly after he moved away. i then ran into him again last may after many years. he asked for my number and i gave it him, thinking he's alright. well, he never called and i had forgotten about him. i then get a call this last may from him and he asks me out. we have lunch one saturday afternoon for an hour and he wanted to tag along to a concert with me, so i let him.

the day of the concert i told him to just meet me there because i knew my o.c.d. would over-power my good-nature about getting there hours before the doors opened (he just wouldn't understand). i paid for both our tickets and he agreed to pay me back for his later. you see, when i go to concerts i'm solely there to soak up the sound and presence of the ones i adore. so i guess this guy was annoyed with me that i wasn't putting out the tlc so he started making convo with the girl next to him. and he left his front-row spot to supposedly go to the bathroom but returns with a water bottle for her. that's ok, he got me one too.

so the story goes, i owed him $15. i texted him and we made plans to met up so i could pay him. anyway, too skip a lot of detail (which i hate to do, but will do for your sake) i call him 15 minutes after we were supposed to meet and ask him where the-where he is. he was like...(in a voice that may have sounded like ben stiller's airhead voice) "wha?...wha? you didn't get my message? wha..? i didn't think it was worth it to drive all the way up there for just $15 and was thinking we could just use it go to a movie or something." "well, sure" i reply. little did i know, it was a booby trap! ;-) he then proceeds to accuse me of the following: he heard through the grapevine that i have a boyfriend (lol, sorry, i'm laughing) and that it seems like i'm not into him. i was taken back to my dana jr. high days for a brief moment. as soon as i felt like i cheated on him, i successfully ended the call.

[actually, no details were left out--for my sake].

so here is a film i stumbled into on a friend of a friend's blog. i love it!! notice how the guy is so into her and she, not so much. she then has to break-up with him when there wasn't a relationship to begin with!

it's 26 minutes long so give yourself some time to indulge. you know i love quoting humorous lines and sometimes it spoils it for you but i'm going to do it anyway because i want you to pay close attention!!!

-"this is an awesome party."
-"yeah, great...decorations."

-"chicks are attracted to lonely guys."
-"You look good but you look like you're waiting."

-"and when you're on the street--depending on the street--i bet you're definitely in the top three good-looking girls on the street."

-"you're so beautiful, you could be a waitress or a part-time model."

-"i can't believe i'm sharing a kabob with the most beautiful girl i've ever seen with a kabob."

-"you're so beautiful like a..tree or a high-class prostitute."

-"it's just that i think she's 'the one'."
-"sally? what makes you say that?"
-"you just know. when it happens to you, you'll know." [pffff]
-"you said michelle was 'the one'."
-"yeah, she's 'the one' too."
-"you said claire was 'the one'."
-"she another 'one'."
-"so you get more than one 'one'?"
-"some people are lucky..."

-"you can tell me anything, anything. i promise i won't think you're a pervert."

-"when you told me you were leaving, that's when i definitely knew you were leaving."

-"you can't break my heart, it's liquid. it melted when i met you."

-"if i am crying, it's not cuz of you, it's because i'm thinking about a friend of mine--that you don't know--who is dying, that's right, dying."

-"i'm not crying, i've just been cutting onions. i'm making a lasagna, for one."

Seattle

This trip was taken almost a year ago. Dena and I sacrificed Lake Tapps fireworks and rushed home before the 4th so we could spend it with our "men" who turned out to be a losers. We live and then we learn...

I don't think I ever blogged about it, so here is a slideshow I created for your viewing pleasure.

SOME OF MY FAVORITE CHAIN LETTERS

I'll be honest, if I get an email from you with "FW:" in the title I will do one or more of the following:

1) Roll my eyes
2) Be disappointed in you
3) Say: "pffff"
4) Delete it without reading it
5) Laugh my socks off

Here are the ones that I responded with #5

TEN TRUTHS ABOUT WHITES, BLACKS, ASIANS, & HISPANICS

TEN TRUTHS BLACK, HISPANIC, AND ASIAN PEOPLE KNOW, BUT WHITE PEOPLE WON'T ADMIT:

1. Elvis is dead.
2. Jesus was not white.
3. Rap music is here to stay.
4. Kissing your pet is not cute or clean.
5. Skinny does not equal sexy.
6. Thomas Jefferson had black children.
7. A 5 year old child is too big for a stroller.
8. NSYNC will never hold a candle to the Jackson 5.
9. An occasional spanking helps a child stay in line.
10. Having your children curse you out in public is not normal.


TEN TRUTHS WHITE, HISPANIC, AND ASIAN PEOPLE KNOW, BUT BLACK PEOPLE WON'T ADMIT:

1. Tupac is dead.
2. O.J. did it.
3. Teeth should not be decorated.
4. Ranch is a salad dressing, not a side dish.
5. Your pastor doesn't know everything.
6. Jesse Jackson will never be President.
7. Wearing a ring on each finger is bad fashion sense.
8. Church does not require you to wear expensive clothes.
9. Crown Royal bags are meant to be thrown away.
10.Your rims and sound system should not be worth more than your car.


TEN TRUTHS WHITE, HISPANIC, AND BLACK PEOPLE KNOW, BUT ASIAN PEOPLE WON'T ADMIT:

1. You can't drive.
2. Disneyland is not the happiest place on earth.
3. It's not necessary to change your birth name to an "American name."
4. We have enough nail salons and dry cleaning businesses.
5. Taking pictures is fun, taking pictures of strangers is weird.
6. Feet were meant to grow.
7. You need girls just as much as you need boys.
8. Dogs were meant to be pets, not eaten.
9. You dont need above a 4.0 to graduate.
10. Fanny packs are not an accessory.


TEN TRUTHS WHITE, BLACK, AND ASIAN PEOPLE KNOW, BUT HISPANIC PEOPLE WON'T ADMIT:

1. Hickies are unattractive.
2. Chicken is food, not a roommate.
3. Jesus is not a name for your son.
4. Your country's flag is not a car decoration.
5. The only part of the car that should touch the ground are the tires.
6. "Jump out and run" is not in any insurance policies.
7. Ten people to a car or house is considered too many.
8. Buttoning just the top button of your shirt is a bad
>>>fashion statement.
9. Mami and Papi can't possibly be the nickname of every person in your family.
10. Letting your children run wildly through the store is not normal.

TOP TEN SIGNS YOU'RE NOT THE MOST POPULAR GUY IN SCHOOL

KEEP SHARPIES AWAY FROM MEXICANS

YOU KNOW YOU'RE FROM SO CAL IF...

1. Your monthly house payments exceed your annual income.
2. You drive next to a Rolls Royce and don't notice.
3. You don't know anyone's phone number unless you check your cell
>>phone (this goes for anyone who has a cell phone).
4. You speak Spanish, but you're not Mexican.
5. You begin to "lie" to your friends about how close you are when you know damn well that it'll take you at least an hour to get there (see below**).
>> **Getting anywhere from point A to point B, no matter what
>>the distance, "about twenty minutes".
6. You drive to your neighborhood block party.
7. In the "winter", you can go to the beach and ski at Big Bear on
>>the same day.
8. You eat a different ethnic food for every meal.
9. If your destination is more than 5 minutes away on
>>foot,you're definitely driving
10. Calling your neighbors requires knowing their area code.
11. You know what In N Out is and feel bad for all the other
>>states because they don't have any (besides NV and soon So. UT)
12. You don't stop at a STOP sign, you do a California Roll.
13. You really can never be too rich or too thin or too tan.
14. You've partied in Tijuana at least 3 times... You don't
>>remember at least 1 of them.
15. You go to a tanning salon before going to the beach.
16. You eat pineapple on pizza (yuck! I hate it).
17. Your cell phone has left a permanent impression on the side of
>>your head.
18. You think that Venice is a beach.
19. The waitress asks if you'd like "carbs" in your meal.
20. You know who the tinsel underwear dude in Venice Beach is.
21. You classify new people you meet by their Area Code. An "818"
>>would never date a "562" and anyone from "323" or "213" is
>>ghetto/second class.
>>Best area code: "714." Nobody likes anyone from the "909" because
>>it stinks there.
22. You call 911 and they put you on hold.
23. You have a gym membership because it's mandatory.
24. The gym is packed at 3pm...on a workday.
25. You think you are better than the people who live "Over the
>>Hill". It doesn't
>> matter which side of the hill you are currently residing, you
>>are just better than
>> them, for whatever reason.
26. You know that if you drive two miles in any direction you will
>>find a McDonald's or a Starbucks.
27. You know what "sigalert", "PCH", and "the five" mean.
28. You can't remember . . . is pot illegal?
29. It's barely sprinkling rain and there's a report on every
>>news station: "STORM WATCH"
30. The Terminator is your governor.
31. You actually get these jokes and pass them on to other friends
>>from California.

THE WORLD'S SHORTEST FAIRY TALE

The World's Shortest Fairy Tale
Once upon a time, a girl asked a guy "Will you marry me?"
The guy said, "No."
And the girl lived happily ever after and went shopping,
dancing, drank martinis, always had a clean house, never had to cook, and
farted whenever she wanted. The End.

25 SIGNS YOU HAVE GROWN UP

Like it or not, I think these apply to all of us in one way or another.

25 SIGNS YOU HAVE GROWN UP
1. Your houseplants are alive, and you can't smoke any of them.
2. Having sex in a twin bed is out of the question.
3. You keep more food than beer in the fridge.
4. 6:00 AM is when you get up, not when you go to bed.
5. You hear your favorite song in an elevator.
6. You watch the Weather Channel.
7. Your friends marry and divorce instead of "hook up" and "break up."
8. You go from 130 days of vacation time to 14.
9. Jeans and a sweater no longer qualify as "dressed up."
10. You're the one calling the police because those kids next door
won't turn down the stereo.
11. Older relatives feel comfortable telling sex jokes around you.
12. You don't know what time Taco Bell closes anymore.
13. Your car insurance goes down and your car payments go up.
14. You feed your dog Science Diet instead of McDonald's leftovers.
15. Sleeping on the couch makes your back hurt.
16. You take naps.
17. Dinner and a movie is the whole date instead of the beginning of one.
18. Eating a basket of chicken wings at 3 AM would severely
upset, rather than settle, your stomach.
19. You go to the drug store for ibuprofen and antacid, not condoms and
pregnancy tests.
20. A $4.00 bottle of wine is no longer "pretty good stuff."
21. You actually eat breakfast food at breakfast time.
22. "I just can't drink the way I used to" replaces "I'm never going to drink that
much again."
23. 90% of the time you spend in front of a computer is for real work.
24. You drink at home to save money before going to a bar.
25. When you find out your friend is pregnant you congratulate
them instead of asking "what the hell happened?"
* Bonus:
26: You read this entire list looking desperately for one sign that
doesn't apply to you and can't find one to save your sorry old butt.

Then you forward it to a bunch of old pals & friends 'cause you know they'll
enjoy it & do the same.

it's chowdah, not chowdaire!

i got back from boston, mass couple days ago. chris needed a date so he asked me to come be his date for his cousin's wedding. awww, thanks for picking me chris. flew out with christy and we met up with chris. we stayed at the hyatt on the charles river. it was so nice to actually see boston when it's normal weather. last time i was there we stayed indoors most of the time because it was below 28 not including the wind chill or whatever.

museum of art. highlights included hopper and donatello.







Here we are...



Eating on the sidewalks of Newbury St.



Museum of Science



Fenway Park







Cheers!



Chris' cousin's wedding in NH



acting gay in Hahvahd






USS Constitution




(acting gay on the USS constitution, trying to be like the titanic)




freedom trail







having gelato in little italy




we also went to the boston temple, prudential center, and had some boston seafood. good times, yes.

they bring the 'bump' to the 'grind'

Hi faithful readers of my blog. I just got back from the Killers concert. An amazing show. Of course, I got there 3 hours before the doors opened and of course scored front row. I went with Jud, an old friend from Provo. A local band opened, I forgot their name but the vocalist's last name was Vegas. Anyway, I wasn't impressed. Louise XIV was pretty cool though. First time I've heard them, I'm planning on listening to more of this Louise XIV.

When the Killers came on stage I was blown away. All this confetti just came pouring down when they started out with Sam's Town. I could tell Brandon was so happy to be playing for his native UT; he would smile at the most random moments. Sound was good, crowd wasn't too pushy. Highlights included On Top, When You Were Young, Jenny Was a Friend of Mine, For Reasons Unknown, and All These Things. He also played a Joy Division song and Can't Take My Eyes Off of You. At the very end of the show (after he played Exitlude), he talks to his band for a moment and then says: "We still have one more in us." They played When You Were Young a second time but this time it was all heart. How amazzzzing is that, huh?! At the end of the show, I caught one of the many flowers that decorated the stage. I LOVE THE KILLERS, AGHHHHHH!!!!

Here is a little footage I took on my cell phone camera, he's singing 'Bones.' Really bad quality but thought you would enjoy a visual. You might want to turn the volume all the way down.

What Happens in Vegas...

Last weekend I took an end-of-the-semester road trip with a couple friends. I vowed never to go to a club again. I'm so sick of the sleaze, claustrophobia, and pole dancers; plus my feet get really tired from dancing all night because I choose to wear improper foot attire (fashion before function, what's a girl to do?). Anyway, on our way there we were stuck in traffic because of a fatal accident. As we drove by the scene we saw two body bags. The driver was either drunk or tired and the victims obviously weren't wearing seat belts when the accident occurred, their bodies were thrown out of the vehicle. It was a serious wake up call: WEAR YOUR SEAT BELTS AND DON'T DRIVE IF YOU'RE SLEEPY/TIRED/INTOXICATED! I know you hear it all the time but life is so, so fragile.

So anyways, despite the mood killer, we did enjoy ourselves in Sin City. We ate at Chipotle, In N' Out, and some sushi place. We went to a few clubs-danced the night away. That picture was taken at Tryst, btw, Christy found it on their website. I love the outlet shopping there, picked up some items at French Connection. One of the girls I went with met with a well-to-do interior designer for a potential job offer. We went to her house to have brunch, supposedly. We were there for about 3 hours but she never offered any food, we were really hungry. Her house was incredible though, so it was worth the starvation.

Moz

I'm still on a high...it was amazing. Ok, where to start...I went to the show with Denise, we got there about 2.5 hours early to make sure we got good "seats." We ended up 2nd row and quickly made friends with some high school boys in front of us. In the middle of the show it got a little crazy and they let us squeeze in the front. So now we had this front row view of the Moz. He was spectacular, enjoyed his witty remarks during the show. Whe he came out he said (referring to the venue): "This will be the wierdest hockey you'll ever see." The E Center was not crowded at all, the GA section was full and the seats were about 1/3 filled to which he stated: "Why aren't we in a decorative theater with cushioned seats, do such places exists around here?"

During one of my favorite songs (Let Me Kiss You), he threw his shirt into the crowd, right behind us. There were about 6 people fighting for it for like 15 minutes. Moz then said, "Why is my shirt such a major concern...I only bought it at Target!"

He played 22 songs, he spoiled us; in previous shows he's played 19-20 songs.

And now for the highlights: He looked at Denise and and reached out for her hand and shook it! During the last song Denise and the high school boys were pointing at me so Moz could shake my hand since they all got a handshake. And lo and behold he did! I squeezed his hand a little to tight cuz when he let go he said "ouch!" oopsie

At the end of the show the band threw their set lists into the crowd and I was one of the lucky ones to get one.

It was everything I every dreamed of and more...

It's Official

Here is my mom and I at my graduation ceremony; what a memorable day. Thanks to all my supporters who came and those who've helped me trudge along the strenuous and horrific, yet rewarding path. I feel a wee bit smarter but hopefully you will observe the tremendous growth in my B.S.'ing skills without me having to point it out.

The Sweet Escape

My brother, sister-in-law, and I went to see Gwen Stefani last night at the E Center to celebrate my graduation. Let me tell you, she puts on a fantastic show. I don't think I've ever been to a concert where I've been impressed with all the aspects: stage set-up, sound, performance, dancers, etc.

Lady Sovereign opened, we only heard two of her songs. Obnoxious, the last song was too roudy. Akon was cool. I didn't realize, but I recognized many of his songs. He asked us to smack the person on our right when he sang "Smack That." Since my seat was in between a really fat guy and a really skinny guy both of which had girlfriends and didn't know me, I decided not to take his advice. Luckly, a teenie-bopper sitting next to my sister-in-law gave up her seat and I was able to enjoy the rest of the show with her and my bro.

Then Gwen opened up with "Sweet Escape" we yelled our hearts out. The stage was incredible, I can't even explain it in words. The Harajuku Girls were cute, the breakdancers were amazing. Gwen is a great performer, eloquent. I admired that she came to the back and sang a whole song, shaking people's hands and spending some time with those of us sitting way in the back. It was awesome, go see her if you get the opportunity.

I can hardly wait for Morrissey. I'm way too excited to see him. I actually had a dream about it last night, LOL!

Happy Birthday...

...to my blog. It is now 1 year old.