The Pinch

Every once in a while I sign onto my student page on the U of U website and pull up my degree audit report...

Just to look at this...

Nope.

Still not dreaming :)

Tee hee.

Reality rocks!

And Life...

Oh yes!

It's BEAUTIFUL!

Busy vs. Boredom, Blog Book, Birds, Bacon & Beyoncé

They say that post-graduation is often accompanied by boredom due to endless amounts of free time and such. And yes, that may be partially true, but I have really been enjoying my free time. See! I'm FINALLY designing my blog into a physical book, starting with 2009 and so on.

I love Adobe InDesign :) I'd go with Blurb or some other free internet book-designing software, but I love having complete control of what goes in and what comes out...

Graphic design has turned me into an aesthetic nitpicker. And proud of it :)

- - -

Speaking of things I'm proud of, my nephew calls extension cords "extendable" cords ;) And, on Sunday, my other nephew ran around the house singing,

"Weasley is our king! Weasley is our king!"

So, it's safe to say I'm not the only one in my family that has an affinity for Mr. Potter :)

- - -

Speaking of dancing... ;)

You: "Who said anything about dancing?"

Me: Oh! Speaking of dancing...

I added "learn how to dance" to my bucket list yesterday.

I mean, I've always been a dance "appreciater," but that's completely different than being a dancer...which is completely different than being able to bust a move here and there...which I can do. So, I wanna learn something cool like hip-hop or tap or ballroom or breakdance.

"Anything is possible if you just believe."

("Cinderella Story" anyone?)

- - -

Speaking of possibilities, I'm going to be potentially profound for a moment, mostly because that's how I organize my endless train of thoughts...

I've discovered that it doesn't matter where you are in your life or how busy you may be, if you have a dream, simply take a step toward it in whatever way possible with each spare moment you can find, and by and by, you'll look back and see how far you've come and how much you've grown and...eventually that you've actually LIVED one of your dreams, rather than simply went on dreaming it. I call that "The Nike Point of View". Just do it.

Speaking of Nike... I'm walking out of the gym yesterday morning after a really good workout, wearing my Nike gear, feeling awesome, and guess what smell slaps me right in the face...

BACON.

Yep, from some breakfast bbq taking place at the park next door.

Cruel and unusual.

- - -

Speaking of bacon (ok, this has nothing to do with bacon)...Ya know how it's been raining the whole entire ocean onto Utah lately?

Yeah, that stinks, cause June is...tomorrow, but I've noticed something happy about the birds (at least the ones around my house). They LOVE this wet weather... At least, their increase of beautiful singing makes me assume they do. Y'know, kinda like how we humans sing in the shower ;)

It's a theory, but I think it's valid. 

- - -

Speaking of singing, there are very few songs that I can continuously rock out, too...mostly because I get sick of those new, overplayed songs SO quickly. However, Katy Perry's "Firework" and Beyoncé's "Single Ladies" hit me right in the groove thang EVERY time! ;) I can't help but dance and sing-along to those two.

- - -

Speaking of Beyoncé, my friend Carrie told me a HILARIOUS joke that I feel needs to be shared with the world, because I honestly laughed all night long post-joke-telling. Ready? K...ah-hem...

"Why does Saturn look the way it does?"

"Because...God liked it, so he put a ring on it."

OH Oh oh ;)

Spread it like wildfire. You know you want to.

- - -

Speaking of randomosity, perhaps you've noticed, or more-likely you haven't, but I just renamed all of my "Randomosity" posts. Why? Cause using roman numerals was getting to be too confusing...not to mention lame. Who uses roman numerals anymore? Just kiddin', but I had fun! Want to see the new names? Ok, I'll let you: 

Randomosity Part I = Belts, Bands, Bugs & Because

Randomosity Part II = Utah, Uncomfortable, Umbrella & "Ugh!"

Randomosity Part III = Love, Leprosy, Lipstick & Lingo

Randomosity Part IV = PDA, Pizzazz, Patronage & Pins

Randomosity Part V = Warm, Wrong, Wishing & Washing

Randomosity Part VI = Forks, Fingers, Fragrances & Facebook

Randomosity Part VII = Clip Clops, Clasps, Copying & Curiosity

Randomosity Part VIII = Muscles, Murder Mysteries, Marine Biology & Massages

Randomosity Part IX = Potter, Pickup Lines, Paste & Purple People-Eaters

Randomosity Part X = Guys, Good & Going Green Garbage

Randomosity Part XI = Cookies, Carats, Creepers & Capitals

Randomosity Part XII = Pens, Planners, Presidents & Portfolio

- - -

What are you doing on your computer?

You should be outside enjoying this beautiful day!

Heartstrings of the Week: Because, I Love Her

I. Love. Barbra.

That's pretty much all there is to it.

However, I probably should also mention that I VERY much adore this song, too! I mean, it's called "People!" What's not to love? Listen to the words. It's so great!

 My goodness, woman!

Yeah, I must warn you though...the movie this song is from, "Funny Girl", is...strange.

Well, it's good, like, it has it's moments...but it's mostly strange.

However, if you haven't seen "What's Up, Doc?" with Barbra and Ryan O'Neal and Madeline Kahn...This needs to be amended pronto. You'll thank me!

Here are some of my favorite quotes...which may or may not make sense.

- - -

Howard: "I am not repeating myself. I am not repeating myself..."

Howard: "How...? How...?"

Judy: "How-ward! Howard. We've almost got that stutter fixed."

Howard: "You...? You...?"

Judy: "Eu-nice! Eunice."

Hugh: "I am Hugh."

Judge: "You are me?"

Hugh: "No, I am Hugh."

Judge: "Stop saying that. Make him stop saying that!"

Judy: "Howard Bannister...as in sliding down the..."

Eunice: "As the years go by, romance fades

and something else takes its place.

Do you know what that is?"

Howard: "Senility?"

Eunice: "Trust!"

Howard: "That's what I meant."

Howard: "Is that clear?

Judge: "No, but it's consistent."

Delivery Boy: "They stole my bike!"

Judge: "That's grand theft auto."

Eunice: "They tried to molest me."

Judge: "That's...[looks at Eunice]...unbelievable."

- - -

Yeah, I could pretty much quote that whole movie.

SO FUNNY!

Anyway...

Over and out!

Try Not To Be Too Jealous

I seem to have this strange new obsession with boxes that hold lunch...

First off, the average American picnic basket. Guess how much this baby was...

12 BUCKS!

Thank you, Walmart!

I'm gonna fix it up inside with some pockets and other such cute compartments. 
Hee hee hee! I am SO excited to finally have my own!

Isn't it cute? :)
I went on a picnic yesterday and it worked (dramatic pause) like a charm!

Secondly...

A "Disney Princess" and a "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" lunch box!!!

There's even one of those cool thermoses in the HP one...with a lid that turns into a mug when you flip it upside-down! WHOA! ;) So, uh...guess what I'm going to to use to sneak treats in when I go to the HP midnight showing! Hee hee!

My goodness. I'm so mature.

I have this intense kind of nostalgia when it comes to these fabulous, vintage, tin lunchboxes. I used to have a Barbie one when I was in elementary school... I might need to find one of those on Amazon. I usually ate school lunch, but I LOVED those days when we went on field trips and I got to carry my trusty lunchbox with me!

Who says you ever have to grow up completely?


Not I.

Know What I Think Is Cute?

That fact that Tia is prego and Tamera is married.

And that Mr. Jose Villa shot her wedding.

I've never been a big "gossip column" or "celebrity lookout" girl. Seriously, I didn't even know Jennifer and Brad had broken up till Brad and Angelina had adopted their third child ;) But I saw these photos in my internet wanderings and it made me smile.

Like, we grew up with these girls on "Sister, Sister"!

Haha, wow. I loved that show. Mostly their college days.

Anyway, that just struck me as cute. Yes random, but cute.

Annnnnnnnnd...while I'm being random,

Here's another plug for my favorite photographer Jose Villa!

Ok, I'm done.

"I'm Harry Pottah, Harry Harry Pottah"

If you don't know what that title is referring to...educate yourself.

So...um...I CAN'T WAIT FOR JULY!!!! Watch it. Watch it! WATCH IT!

And for those of you who didn't know... I am obsessed with Harry Potter to a fault.

In fact, I'm wearing my trusty Gryffindor t-shirt today... and proud of it.

If you are an HP-obsessed fan like me and wanna get pumped for the upcoming FINAL movie (sniff) you might enjoy these other Harry Potter posts:

"THE Midnight Showing"

"Twice"

"AAAGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!"

"Let's Talk Potter"

"The Happiest Place On Earth"

"Oh, It's Magic"

"Randomosity - Part IX"

"That One Wizard"

"And Now..."

"Finally Florida"

"Oh yes. I did."

"Deathly Tired"

"I Just Love This"

"Latelies"

"The Truth About Albus Dumbledore"

Oh snap! ...They say the first step is admitting you have a problem ;)
LONG LIVE POTTAH! :D


Step 1 - Check.

The Day a Hot Pocket Saved My Life

There I was, on the brink of popsiclization.

I had just run 7 miles in our brutal, but beautiful Spring temperatures of 30 degrees and was now waiting for the bus. Psh! And they call this Spring?!

 Spandex and other such breathable fabrics are not a choice favorite under these particular types of weather conditions.

THEN, my sister - with whom I was talking on the phone - had the brilliant plan of buying something "heat up-able" from a nearby vending machine and heating it up in a nearby microwave. So I did. The least caloric (you know me) thing was a egg and sausage HotPocket, which I bought, heated up, and used as a hand warmer while I waited for the bus. Warmth was restored and goosebumps were reduced...till hunger overcame me. Then I was warm from the inside for about...2 minutes. Then the bitterly freezing winds picked up and I was freezing, yet again. But hey, I will never look at a box of Hot Pockets in quite the same way.

...I feel like this would make a really great episode of "I Shouldn't Be Alive".

A Farewell Letter

Dear School,

Today, I read this letter and I found myself getting choked up with a surprising rush of emotion at the arrival of this farewell. My, how time flies! Can you believe we've been together 18+ years? No, neither can I. We've been through a lot, you and I - the ups, the downs, the in-betweens. I'll never forget the all-nighters, the final crams, the A's, the F's, the walks to school, the lunches, the recesses. You even stuck with me through my awkward years, which is more than I can say for that "popular" group of girls in 6th grade. Remember? They stated that they had to "vote" on whether or not to play with me at recess. I voted "not" and played with Heidi instead. We're still friends, you know.

I've sure learned a lot from you. In fact, I find it appropriate to say that you've been one of the most generous contributors to my memory, filling countless cabinets and boxes with everything from the factual pages from old textbooks to the well-worn, well-cherished pages of my own experience.

I have to apologize, dear School. I haven't always had the warmest feelings towards you. You know what they say, you never fully appreciate something till it's gone. I agree, and would add that the appreciation grows with each day of separation. Basically, what I'm trying to say is, I'm really going to miss you... And to think that just 2 weeks ago I was more than happy to be rid of you, once and for all. Oh, but I'll never forget the passion that we shared as we tackled these past 5 years together. You've truly shaped me into the artist and "intellectual" (I think every graduate has earned that title) I am today.

I suppose I've always known this day would come. 18 years of sprinting through deserts, up mountains, and practically scaling those steep cliff walls, and at last, I find myself here, atop the pinnacle of my academic mountain, timidly gazing over at this remarkable view of the great beyond. A sudden moment of hesitation sweeps over me, I can't bring myself to jump. Will I fall or will I fly?

Maybe someday in the future, as I study the surrounding beauty of a new mountain view, I'll steal a glimpse of your majestic summit as you peek through a nearby cloud at me. Perhaps I'll return to take on your trails, trodden by the countless "masters" and "doctors" before me. Whatever the circumstance, whenever the season, I will remember you fondly and forever as I cherish and build upon each lesson you've bestowed.

Ever Your Student,

Aubrey's Photo Shoot

I just BARELY realized...I never posted these for you.

I did this photo shoot of my niece for a school project - an antique catalog. It was actually really fun. Not to mention a lot of work to put together outfits and do her hair and makeup for each look. But yes, very fun. She was a good sport for letting me use her as my model. All of my nieces are gorgeous, what can I say?

 Yes, we used a fan for these two. Gotta love it :)

Aren't they fun? I should do this more often. Whittles, you're next :)

To view the catalog, go HERE

For more of my photography, go HERE

The Big 3

Ever since I could talk, my prayers have included the humble plea, "Please bless that we'll all get married in the temple, get a college education, and go on missions."

...not in that order, obviously.

The big 3.

The most sincere goals I've had my whole life long.

And, today,

May 6th, 2011...

I checked one of them off.

...Whoa.

(more to come)

The Female Kind of Excitement

I have found...

(dramatic pause)

...my DISHES!

You may recognize some of them from Paradise Bakery!

I've been in love with them and their lovely mix-&-matching-ness since the first day I set foot in that lovely place for lunch with my family once upon a time.

And, after lots and lots of searching and querying,

I FOUND THEM!

And, I just ORDERED my very OWN!

They'll be here in 1 business day.

Hee, I can't wait! :D