June 27, 2008

Pretty Feet

So today my Mom and I went and got pedicures... they turned out really cute so I thought I'd post a picture of them! While at work today, I was trying to think of something I haven't done yet... and well, I've never done a zebra print. So zebra, as you can see, it was! My Mom got pink with white polka-dots- uber cute!

Whaaaaaaat did you do Graham?!?!?


Okay, what the crap?! I just watched Mondays The Batchelorette- and I'm am SO soooo sooooooooo disappointed in Graham. First and foremost, because he wouldn't talk to DeAnna. Sad. Not that I want to slam him too much, seeing as I'm def. not the most open person ever- I can understand- I mean, with cameras everywhere, let's just make the whole thing as awkward as possible, riiiiight?!

Graham was def. my 2nd choice... (right behind Brian- hottie!) But seriously...it's as if he went OUT of his way to be a total jerk to DeAnna in the end. Uuugh. He was more dramatic than a girl too!!! And the thing was that DeAnna totally wanted him and went out of her way for him. BUT in the end he totally rejected her, he wouldn't even look at her when she walked him outside... she flat out said she was most attracted to him in every aspect- but he can't even look at her. And then he gave her A NOTE! Whatev. I'm over it.

Feliz Cumpleanos Andrew!


Another birthday in the fam...
...well, every month til Sep. So this time my little brother Andrew, well, technically like every brother but one, so yeah, he turned 22 (yesterday)! YAY! Andrew is ridiculously cool, friendly, outgoing, cute (I have bragging rights, but then again, I think all my brothers are cute!) funny (Gaston!), creative, speaks espanol with me! and is just an all around FABULOUS guy! I'll be posting pics of him on here in a min. So in the essence of birthday wishes, I'm going to sing happy birthday to Andude en espanol! hahahaaa!
Cumpleano Feliz
Cumpleano Feliz
Te deseo a todo
Cuuuuuumpleanooooo Feeeeeelizzzzz!!!

June 24, 2008

Times a Change'in

A LOT has happened this last week....well, not really, but two main things:

1. I found a new roommate! Yay! Okay, here's the deal. I loooooove looove love my studio/living on my own in downtown Tempe, but my retarded landlord was raising the rent almost $100... OUTRAGEOUS! ("I'm so mad I could just spit!"- who am I?! Lol.) "How can you raise the price?! The studio doesn't even have a kitchen!", I argued with the landlord. Odd, I know. (I do have a mini fridge and microwave, tho. Everyone asks). SO, I figured I could just find another place for $500 WITH a freaking kitchen.
SO one day while at work (my new job) I was talking to the only other girl in my training class and she mentioned she was looking for an apartment- and Whaa-La, instant roommate. After looking around, we're getting a 2/bed 2/bath for about the same price I was paying for a studio, before the rent increase! I'll be moving closer to my new job, less than a mile away(seeing as gas prices are insane, this will help out) and I'll be going to downtown Phoenix ASU this next semester- and that's not too far of a drive away. So as far as the roommate goes- I've stayed in too many hostels, stayed with too many random people and places to be all that picky of who I live with. She seems pretty normal- from Denver, CO. 25 years old. Typical girl. We'll see tho... could be the roommate from hell!?!? lol. Nah, not worried

2. I quit my job! Hooray! Goodbye 4am job. Blah, I'm SO over that job. I was typing up my 30 day notice for my studio apt. at work one morning and while at it, decided I didn't want to work 80 hours a week anymore... especially the 4 am job. (I've been working 4am-12:30, and then 2:30-11pm- terrible! I don't recommend this to anyone!) SO while in the spirit of notice writing, I wrote up my 2 week notice for my job and an officially done with CH2M Hill (otherwise known as my Verizon Wireless facilities job) July 3rd! I'm SO excited! I was going to quit it anyways, as all my school classes are in the morning this next semester. I'll be keeping my Dish Network job tho- which sorta sucks... as I work from 2:30pm-11pm.

SOOOOOO here's some pic's of my studio... I just put up some framed pics from Asia and bought a new bed spread! I bought it a little while ago from Urban Outfitters, love'it! They actually have some great house items... I threw in some other random pics...(all of which will be moved within the next month...laaaame.

I loooooove my pillows! Most of them are from Bali, Indonesia... I bought a whole bed set there for about $50USD- but got tired of it, hence the new bed spread.

My very colorful bookshelf and random nick-knacks....

June 20, 2008

Olivia Time/Family Time


So I was able to go up and visit the family a few weeks ago...and meet my new little niece... sweet Olivia! She's SO dang cute! I love her so much already... it was hard to share her with everyone that was there for her baby blessing.
A very proud Daddy!

Olivia trying to run...okay, not really. We can already tell she's gonna be a baby genius soccer player! Lol.
Julie, my sister-in-law holding Olivia in her baby blessing dress, with Cameron. The proud parents!

Also while getting to meet my new niece, I got to hang out with the rest of my family (besides just staying at their home!)... Andrew, Gina, Ashby, Dad, Gentry and William and myself all went out one sunny Saturday to walk around an outside mall. Jordan was the only sib from this family that was missing for the weenend- lame. So I just have to say that I have the cutest brothers and sista.

All my tender, loving care... gone to waste!

Almost! Okay, so about a month ago or so I had decided to get all domestic (weird, I know) and try to grow a garden! ... well, here's some pics of how well my veggies are doing, well my tomato plant and some of my flowers... (I left my pitiful pitiful crook-neck squash out)...

Some flowers I planted... can't remember the names of them tho...not the plants in the background tho... those are weeds!
My dying tomato plant... you can see there's SOME tomatoes tho!
My sad sad plants.... laaaaame!
...alas as you can see, all my TLC hasn't gone all that far. I water them, love them and talk to them- giving them words of motivation on a daily basis. I'm uber bummed that my little tomato plant isn't doing too well. My flowers on the other hand- are looking great!
Anyone have any garden recommendations?

June 16, 2008

I Love the World...

... and I totally dig this Discovery Channel video... makes me want to see more of what the world has to offer!

June 14, 2008

Why Brian?!? Whhhhhyyyyyy?

Okay, I've only seen one episode of The Bachelorette (this last weeks, June 9th), and after having watched the first 5 minutes, I already had my mind made up of who I wanted her to choose. BRIAN! HEEEELLLO! Holy Hottness! He's uber hot and v. tall and comes across as a genuinely nice guy (so happy she got rid of Ryan- he was a jerk and a cry baby)... Anyways, back to Brian- He's Gorgeous! Incredible smile. Super hot, has incredible dimples, nice vocabulary, and well, did I mention that he's the most attractive one on the show? I could totally over look the fact that he loves/teaches football- it would be a small sacrifice. Lol!
Well, obviously DeAnna didn't agree, as she sent him home at the end of the show. I haven't seen any of the other episodes, but she didn't seem to give Brian much of a chance. My respect for her has just gone down... I mean really, why in the world would she keep Twilley over Brian?!?!?! (And what kind of name is Twilley anyways?) He's soooo goofy, and NOT in a "I want to be with you for the rest of my life, because you're so fun and goofy" sort of way. He's just straight up GOOFY, 100%. Lame. Anyways, DeAnna... just send Brian my way!

June 13, 2008

Feliz Cumpleanos Gentry!!!

G-Bob... G-Rock.... little Gentry is 7 years old today, Friday June 13th! Crazy! I can remember the day he was born, I was at the hospital! Time Flies! He's such a cute little kiddo... from his non-stop questions to his little insights- he's so enjoyable to be around! Here's some of my favorite pics (or just latest) of the rug rat!

Gentry playing at the beach with Gina in Mexico.

I always laugh when I see this picture. The cruise wait staff were from all over the world and sang a song about that one night... I think this was the "Italian" part of the song. He totally got into it!

Trying to get the kid to smile while dressed up.... he left me no option... I tried to tickle him. punk.


I think this is one of the cutest pictures of G Bob! All these pictures were from a family cruise we went on last fall. He and I had to share a room... we talked about everything, or he talked about everything. He's such a good, loving, little kid! HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY GENTRY!!!

June 10, 2008

BFFs

An ODE to BFF: Amber L. Conley
I’m a big believer in having LOTS and lots of friends. The more the merrier, right? And everywhere you go too. I like knowing that if I were to go somewhere I might possibly have someone I can visit while visiting. It’s always great when you make friends. Some friends are usually better than others. Some you carry with you throughout life, and keep in contact with on a regular basis, sometimes daily, for years. Others you email randomly or send Christmas cards to, sporadically. But when it comes down to it, you usually have ONE Best Friend. My best friend is Amber. Here’s my favorite picture of her (in Koh Pii Pii):I’ll tell you what I’m not a believer of… when someone has about 10 Best Friends. It’s confusing. When you mention your “best friend”- or refer to all your friends, as your “beeeest frieeeend” I start to doubt that they’re really all your best friends. The word BEST implies that one thing or person is usually above the rest:

BEST:
1. of the highest quality, excellence, or standing: the best work; the best students.
2. most advantageous, suitable, or desirable: the best way.
3. largest; most: the best part of a day.
–adverb, superl. of well with better as compare.
4. in or to the highest degree; most fully (usually used in combination): best-suited; best-known; best-loved. (we seem to try to only let the BEST things into our lives, right?)
5. something or someone that is best: They always demand and get the best. The best of us can make mistakes.

Now I do believe that those who are married are definitely best friends with their spouse (or I’d hope so!). BUT they usually have one other person that would be next in line to talk to, get advise from, call when you’re upset and who will listen to you when you just need to vent.

Amber, my Best Friend, is that person. And this blog entry is dedicated just to her! YAY! Haha! Here are some of my favorite pictures of Amber and more importantly, my favorite things about my bff…

Traveling with Amber for 3 months was everything rolled into one! I couldn't have asked for a better person to spend all that time with... haha. (Us dancing in Lao). She's very honest. She’s open to discuss everything- religion, politics, boys, etc. She's very observant. Amber is probably one of the best people I know to give constructive criticism. She’s kind hearted.

She’s funny. She’ll help pull out hair extensions, for a little while! She’ll go out of her way to try to make me happy. She’s SMART! (In a cooking class in Chang Mai, Thailand). And has common sense. She likes to have a good time. She has morals and values. She likes to have chill time. Amber likes to meet and talk to new people.
She considerate. (Eating in Koh Phanang) She's ridiculously good looking, but like not conceited at all. She's a boy magnet too! hahahaaaa! She loves and respects her family. She’s ‘hella’ cool, like that! Haha! She's a great Best Friend Forever! I love her dearly! She always has some exciting story to share. She gives great advice. She's a great listener. She's up for a challenge. She forgives easily. She ALWAYS calls me! (Playing/singing a game on a 36 hour train ride with the cutest Chinese girl EVER!) She’s funny. She's a talented piano player. She's wants to help the world. She always has cool Halloween costumes. She doesn’t like to dance, but she’s good at it anyways. YAY for best friends!

June 9, 2008

Requesting Reading Recommendations


Reading Recommendations Anyone...Anyone?!
It's summer and schools out! Hooray! That means I get to read whatever I want:) No more reading about things that I have no interest in (Business, communications, etc.)just to get my homework done. It’s just finding the time now…. Which I’ve squeezed in here and there….
BUT I need some recommendations…. Anyone reading something that they LOVE and think we should all read? Do share!

I’ve gone through a few books already this summer, if anyone else is looking for something to read, here's a list of what I've read this summer:
Summer Book List 2008
1. My Year of Meats by Ruth L. Ozeki
I actually first read this book a few years ago, in an English class my first year at ASU. I really enjoyed it then, so I decided to read it again. AND I enjoyed it even more this time around, because I didn’t have to analyze it for a class. It’s definitely an interesting read.
2. The Voyage of the Northern Magic by Diane Stuemer
This book is basically my dream…. come true. And written down in book format. I’m SO jealous of this family and would love love love to do something like this one day. Well, maybe not on a boat. Seasickness. But none-the-less, this is a FABULOUS book. Oh, and this is also the second time I’ve read this book too… I’m scheduling to read it again in a few years.
3. Veil of Roses by Laura Fitzgerald.
Iranian girl comes to the Land of the Free, America and needs to find a husband pronto. She’s awed by the new freedoms, torn by the traditions of her family and desperately wants to get married so she can stay and not go back to a life under the Veil. Eeeeeeh. It’s okay. Easy and fast read though.
4. For One More Day by Mitch Albom
Definitely a slow start on this book. Mondays with Morrie and The 5 People You Meet in Heaven were both SO good, so I was expecting the same from this book… a bit of a let down though. A story of a loser of a guy who blames everyone else for his issues, but you see him go through an experience towards the end of his life and he learns that he can’t blame everyone else for his actions. Like, DUH!

5. At First Sight by Nicolas Sparks
Bleeeh. I usually like NS books… and read them in a sitting or two… but this was BOOOORING Bummer. It was slow to start, and not “catchy” at all. Oh well. You win some, you lose some.
6. A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
Okay, I just started this book last week and the very beginning is about Atoms and cells and Science things, stuff I’m not interested in. But I’m trudging through with the hopes that the science talk with stop… and Bill will get to his usually funny stories. Fingers crossed.
7. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
I’ve hear over and over mainly by family that this book (and the following 2, which I have) are FABULOUS! Well, I was at the movies the other night and I saw a preview for it…. And the movie looked cool…I was sold! Plus I’d rather read the book before seeing the movie. So that night I went to my friends’ house, picked up all 3 book and am already half way through the first one. So far so good.

June 6, 2008

80....

...hours of work this week. And I want to DIE! I thought that for some (great, and smart!) reason that getting a second full time job would be a fabulous idea for the summer. I don't think I could be anymore WRONG! (and did I mention, delirious?)
So I've acquired a second full time job for the summer to save up some extra moola. I plan on graduating school without debt (I’m going to school for free! Thank you FAFSA!)and graduating with a nice little cash fund.
And what I’m I going to do with any extra cash, you ask? Oh, you know… the usual-
…hang out in beautiful lands...

…have incredible experiences...

...and make incredible friends from around the world...