'08 Summertime Fun

In honor of the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics being held on 8-8-08, here is a fun tag that I stole off a blog on my reader.

8 TV Shows I Love to Watch:

The Office, Arrested Development, Ugly Betty, 24, ER, Greys Anatomy, American Idol, 90210

8 Restaurants I Love:

The Melting Pot, BJ's, Cafe Rio, Famous Dave's, La Tolteca, Jerusalem Garden, On the Border Mexican Grill, Chick-fil-a

8 Things that Happened Today:

Washed my hair with yummy vanilla-scented shampoo, got caught up on two weeks of STS database forms, talked to my surgeon about his trip to a conference in Traverse City, paid bills, went on a walk with Taylor, uploaded pictures on the MHS reunion blog, listened to the Juno soundtrack, and read about how the Delta and Northwest pilots came to an agreement to push forward the merger.

8 Things I am Looking Forward to:

Taylor having a few more days off this week, Rosie's baptism, a possible trip to Cedar Point this month, a 3% raise on my next paycheck, the new Keane album, the changing of fall leaves, seeing my new twin nieces on my next trip to Cali, and school starting up so Rosie isn't BORED all the time.

8 Things I Love about Summer:

Air conditioning, flowers, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, swimming, snow cones, evening outdoor concerts

8 Olympic Events I Want to See:

Swimming (Michael Phelps!), Gymnastics, Diving, Track, Diving, Volleyball, Weightlifting, and the Opening/Closing Ceremonies

8 Things on My Wish List:

A pill to turn fat into money, all my debts paid off, some new work clothes, sanity, time with my family, continual health and energy, some extra days off to do some exotic traveling with Taylor, a shorter commute.

8 People I Want to do this Same Thing: Lizzie, Lia, Susan, Emily, Erin, Hollie, Rachel K, Brett

MHS X

The MHS reunion was a lot of things to me: a lot of nostalgia, a lot of stress, a lot of preparation, a lot of rekindled connections, and despite so many familiar faces, I realized that a lot had changed. Since Taylor was out on a 4-day trip, most of my time was spent with my oldest and closest MHS friend Emily. I spend most of my time for the picnic and reception going around in circles, striking up conversations, making sure there were enough drinks, figuring out money, and planning a last-minute game. I ran into old crushes, old classmates, and old friends. Most people were as kind and genial as I remembered them, with big smiles and warm hugs. Some groups of friends were as tightly exclusive as they were 10 years ago, and wouldn't let me into their conversations, just like 10 years ago. I saw people that started rumors about me, people who I secretly hero-worshiped, people I sang in choir with, people who I'd been in clubs with, people who edged me out for roles in drama productions, people who I'd done class projects with, people who I went to dances with, and people who I wrote intricately folded-up notes to. Some had lost their hair, some had lost weight, some looked exactly the same, some were divorced, some were still at home, some had traveled to exotic parts of the world. The school we celebrated at held the same name as my diploma, but the school had an "extreme makeover" over the last decade, and only was familiar through a Spartan statue and orange and black insignia.

I wish that I had been better at delegating tasks, and hadn't waited so long to send out invitations. I wish I would have stressed the day less, and enjoyed the festivities more. I left the reunion feeling sad that I hadn't said more than a brief greeting to several people that I'd been looking forward to seeing. And I wish I would have taken more pictures.

But now it's over, and the responsibility is out of my hands. It seemed to me that those who participated had a good time. We didn't lose money on the reunion, and have a little extra for the next one. If in 10 years you hear me volunteering to coordinate the reunion again...stop me! LOL.

This weekend Taylor got an invitation to his 10 year reunion in the mail. It's $87 per person! Makes my $20 reunion seem like a steal. I honestly doubt we'll attend it.

Happy Birthday Jacob!

Happy 21st birthday to my awesome brother Jacob. We've become really close the past year (a cross-country road trip can do that do you!) and it's always a joy to spend time with him. I'm proud of all he's accomplished in the face of much adversity. One of these days we'll go to Europe together!!!

Success...

The MHS Reunion is over. I am so relieved. Details will follow.

An extra day in CA?

No, I didn't secretly run off to California. Taylor and Rosie were there for 5 days, and flew out to SLC yesterday morning. Had they stayed an extra day, they would have been there for the earthquake and for the birth of twin nieces. Taylor's sister Lissy gave birth to Sarah and Phoebe (according to the pictures I just looked at on Myspace) on the same day as a 5.4 magnitude earthquake. I'll bet she feels like her life was shook up quite a bit yesterday!

Time for a haircut!

My hair is probably the longest it's ever been right now. It goes halfway down my back! However, Michigan has been plenty humid these past few months, and my hair is getting so unruly!!! The humidity brings out the natural curl that I desperately try to unkink with my flat iron. Lately, it's been in a ponytail or Knothead almost every day. A coworker was saying that if your favorite hairstyle is a ponytail, it's time for a new style.

So tonight I cut my hair. Nothing drastic, but enough to feel like I lost a little hair-weight. It's in a ponytail right now, but I'll post a pic in a few days when it's styled.

The Blessing of the Day

The maintenance people fixed our A/C today. It is a comfortable 75 degrees. Balance has been restored to the force. I'm going to keep it on all night so I can wake up shivering.

Crazy July Schedule

Taylor left on another 4-day trip today. I feel like I've hardly seen him the past month. 4-day trip, then Cali for 3 days, then 4-day trip, then to SLC (together) for 3 days for the funeral, then 4-day trip, and three days off (which I worked 2). Once he gets back from this trip, he's taking Rosie to Cali for 5 days (She hasn't been back since December), flying her to SLC to wait a day till I go to SLC for my high school reunion. Taylor will be on another 4-day trip, so he's missing the reunion. He actually has been getting 14-16 days off per month the last 3 months, but he's gone almost every weekend. At church today, I was realizing it's been over a month since we've gone together, and he won't be home for at least the next two Sundays.

It's a blessing to have the flight bennies. Especially when you get on your first-choice flight. While Taylor and Rosie are in California, I've been contemplating taking a quick overnight trip somewhere. I don't think its a good idea to fly all the way out to Cali just for one day (when I did so in May it took a week to recover) when I'll be back in SLC the next weekend. Car rentals are disgustingly expensive right now, so I probably shouldn't plan on a city that I'd be on my own. I'm not too excited to spend a weekend at home, since our air conditioning is broken at our apartment, and who knows how long it will take maintenance to fix it.

Success!

Rosie caught 10 fireflies!
(They're really hard to photograph while they light up)

IPOD N-R

N: 'N Sync, Naked Eyes, Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole, Natalie Imbruglia, Natalie Merchant, Natasha Bedingfield, Nathan McEuen, Nazareth, Ned's Atomic Dustbin, Neil Diamond, Nelly Furtado, Nelson, Nena, New Edition, New Radicals, Newell Dayley, Nick Drake, Nickelback, Nicky Holland, Nicole Kidman, Nightranger, Nirvana, NKOTB, No Doubt, Norah Jones

O: Oasis, Oingo Boingo, Olivia Newton-John, One Cent Stamp, Onerepublic, Our Daughter's Weddig

P: Panic at the Disco, Paramore, Paul Cardall, Paul Hardcastle, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Paula Abdul, Paula Cole, Pearl Jam, Peggy Lee, Pet Shop Boys, Peter and Gordon, Peter Breinholt, Peter Cetera, Peter Gabriel, Peter Schilling, Phantom Planet, Phil Collins, Pink, Pink Floyd, Poison, The Police, Ponchillo, The Postal Service, The Pretenders, Prince, Procol Harum, The Psychadelic Furs, Puddle of Mud, The Pussycat Dolls,

Q: Queen, Queen Latifah, Queensryche

R: REM, Rachael Yamagata, The Raconteurs, Radiohead, Randy Newman, Ray Charles, Ray Lamontagne, ReFlex, Real Life, Red Box, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Regina Spektor, Remy Zero, Renee Zellweger, The Righteous Brothers, Rob Thomas, Rocco DeLuca and the Burden, Rod Stewart, Rodgers and Hammersteins, Roger Joseph Manning Jr, The Rolling Stones, The Romantics, Ronan Keating, Rooney, The Rooftop Singers, Roxette, Roy Orbison, Rubber Rodeo, Rufus Wainwright, Rush, Ryan Cabrera, Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band

Just the two of us...

This week we flew to SLC for Taylor's grandfather's funeral. Despite the sad circumstances for the trip, it was really nice to spend three days with Taylor. We even got on the direct DTW-SLC flights with no hassles. One of the evenings we went out for a night on the town. My parents now live in an apartment downtown, so it was easy to walk to the Gateway for dinner. Here's a pic I snapped on my phone of the two of us on our downtown date.We returned home last night, and Taylor left on a 4-day trip this morning. I'm feeling a little lonely tonight, which doesn't happen too much on the first day of his trips. But he has 4 days off once he's home, so three more nights to go...

6 Months in Michigan

I can hardly believe that our family has been living in Michigan for 6 months now! Here are a few of my favorite things about living here:

-Living in the same state as my husband!
-Fireflies!!! (Rosie and I counted over 70 of them last night)
-Diet Vernor's Ginger Ale
-Partying with the Pearces
-Leo's Coney Island
-Mike, Erin and Will
-The spectacular rainstorms and thunderstorms
-Hillary, Steven, and Elodie
-Jerusalem Garden in Ann Arbor
-Plymouth Township Park
-Pizza Papalis in Greektown
-The Henry Ford Museum
-Easy access to the rest of the country via Detroit Metro Airport on free flights

I don't know how long we'll live in Michigan. Taylor's under the impression that we'll figure out a way to move back to California in 6 months (as long as his airline survives the merger and he can get a bid for the ATL base and commute from ONT). If we do move back, I wonder if we'd be any better off financially than we are here (and we're currently NOT making it financially). I really miss my friends and family on the other side of the country and have felt a lot of loneliness here. We have made a few good friends, and I crave the time we spend with them. I am grateful for the good times we've had in Michigan (and the places we've visited while living here).

Memories of Me

Here are the directions:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.It's actually pretty cool (and funny) to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. :) If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

WALL-E and BBs

Today started out so great..slept in with Taylor, ate some yummy french toast for breakfast, watched a beautiful rainstorm, and then saw WALL-E with Rosie, Taylor, Mike, and Erin. As we walked out to the car after the flick, I noticed seven bullet holes in the side of Taylor's Civic!!!

I just came back inside from talking to a police officer who took the police report. A few silver BBs were in the cracks of the asphalt at our apartment, so it didn't happen in the parking lot of the theater. The officer said that two other people had filed reports in our neighborhood for BB vandalism. I guess that I didn't notice the holes in the car when we left for the theater because the car was still covered in rain from the storm.

This is the third incident with Taylor's "new" Civic since he bought it in March. First was the drivers side rear fender, then it was the rear bumper....both hit-and-runs in the airport parking lot. Now BB's at our apartment?

At least WALL-E was wonderful. I totally loved it and suggest you see it.

Summertime Slump

I've been feeling like I've been in a summertime slump lately. I consistently feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and guilty for not keeping up on my normal obligations. My sleep has been horrible, feeling less rested after 9 hours sleep than when I first got into bed. I even tried using my CPAP machine again (for indefinitely diagnosed sleep apnea) but ended up with a horrible swollen and pus-filled boil on the bridge of my nose. I have been eating more healthily and exercising more consistently, usually 2-4 times a week. I've even lost 12 of the 25 pounds I gained since moving to Michigan. But I don't feel healthy.

I miss having a large network of friends to make plans with on the weekends. The few friends we do have here usually decline our invitations. My next door neighbor and I have become friends, but she's moving across Plymouth next weekend, so I'm going to lose the only person who feels comfortable dropping in and spending time with no notice. I'm so spent by the time I get home from work that I'm probably not much fun to be around. Having an anorexic bank account is tough too.

So, faithful blog readers...what can I do to get out of this slump?

iPod H-M

H: Haley Bennett, Harry Connick Jr, Harry Nilsson, Hawthorne Heights, Hi-Five, Hinder, The Hollies, Holly Brook, Hoobastank, Hootie and the Blowfish, Howard Jones, Howie Day, Huey Lewis and the News, Hugh Grant

I: Icicle Works, Imogen Heap, Incubus, INXS, Indigo Girls, Ingrid Michaelson, Iron & Wine, Ivy

J: Jack Johnson, Jeckie DeShannon, Jackson Browne, James Blunt, James Brown, James Taylor, James and Morgan Garrett, Jamie Cullum, Jane Birkin, Janet Jackson, Jann Arden, Jason Mraz, Jefferson Airplane, Jem, Jericho Road, Jet, The Jets, Jewel, Jim Brickman, Jim Croce, Jim Sturgess, Jimi Hendrix, Joan Baez, Joe Cocker, Joe Jackson, John Legend, John Lennon, John Mayer, Johnny Cash, Jon Schmidt, Jordin Sparks, Josh Groban, Josh Kelley, Joshua Radin, Journey, Julie De Azevedo, Justin Timberlake

K: Kaiser Chiefs, Kajagoogoo, Kanye West, Kate Earl, Kate Voegele, Katharine McPhee, K-Ci and Jo-Jo, Keane, Kelly Clarkson, Kenneth Cope, Kermit the Frog, The Killers, Kimya Dawson, Kings of Convenience, The Kinks, Kirby Heyborne, Kiss, Kristen Chenoweth, KT Tunstall, Kurt Bestor

L: The La's, Leann Rimes, Led Zeppelin, Lenny Kravitz, Les Miserables Soundtrack, Lesley Gore, Level 42, Lex De Azevedo, LFO, Lifehouse, Linkin Park, Lionel Richie, Lisa Loeb, Lit, Live, Louis Armstrong, Lulu, Lynyrd Skynyrd

M: Madonna, Mana, Marc Broussard, Mariah Carey, Maroon 5, Martina McBride, Marvin Gaye, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Mary J Blige, Matchbox Twenty, Mat Kearney, Matt Nathanson, Meatloaf, Mel Torme, Metallica, Michael Buble, Michael Jackson, Michael McLean, Michelle Branch, The Mindbenders, Missy Higgins, Moby, Modest Mouse, Monica, Monkees, Moody Blues, MooseButter, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, The Motels, The Muppets, Muse

I just don't really know what to say...

With news like this ...it's hard to be optimistic about the future of my husband's career. I have no idea if my husband will be out of a job by the time the NWA/Delta merger happens. But with all the regionals that have gone under in the last two months, it doesn't look good for Pinnacle.

Otherwise, life's been kinda tough lately. Work stress is high, financial stress is high, and my health is hit-and-miss. Rosie's done with first grade on Friday, I'll be done with my semester officially within the next few days, and Taylor's been in SLC helping my parents move downtown this week. I'm trying to take joy in the little things. The new Coldplay album is fabulous, my air conditioner works, and I ate a really, really good orange yesterday. Michigan is beautiful and green, and I try to enjoy it as much as I can handle the humidity. We've had some breathtaking thunderstorms this week, and we've luckily not had to deal with flooding and power outages as other neighboring areas have. Lately I've been thinking about some quotes from Gordon B Hinckley:

"Life is just like an old time rail journey ... delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."

"My plea is that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life we 'accentuate the positive.' I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment and endorse virtue and effort."

"It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us,...if we put our trust in Him, if we pray to Him, if we live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers."

A little cost comparison

I typically fill up my 16 gallon gas tank every two weeks. My commute is 19 miles each way, and my Camry averages around 27 miles per gallon. Here's a comparison of my last few fill-ups:

4/16 $3.48/gal = $55.19 (15.8 gal)
5/1 $3.59/gal = $56.88 (15.8 gal)
5/15 $3.95/gal = $65.01 (16.4 gal)
6/2 $3.98/gal = $62.44 (15.6 gal)

I luckily timed my fill-ups well, because I missed the weekend where gas was consistently $4.08 - $4.19 per gallon. Waiting just a few extra days saved me up to $6 on one tank.

I get nostalgic thinking about the time I bought gas at the Willard Flying J in 1998 for $.79 per gallon, and I filled up my gas tank for less than $8 on my way up to Rexburg. Those were the days...

iPod D-G

Apparently this Ipod Case is supposed to resemble grass, but with the red click wheel, it reminds me of watermelon

Continuing from a few posts ago....

D: D.H.T., Damien Rice, Damn Yankees, Dan Fogelberg, Dan Wilson, Dana Fuchs, Dandy Warhols, Daniel Powter, Danny Elfman, Dave Matthews, David Bowie, David Gray, David Tolk, Death Cab for Cutie, Debbie Gibson, Debra Fotheringham, Depeche Mode, Dexy's Midnight Runners, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Dido, Dinah Washington, Dishwalla, Dixie Chicks, Donny Osmond, Donovan, Doobie Brothers, The Doors, Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, Duke Ellington, Duncan Sheik, Duran Duran, Dusty Springfield

E: Eartha Kitt, Echo and the Bunnyman, Eclipse, Elemeno-P, Elipsus, Ella Fitzgerald, Elton John, Elvis Costello, Elvis Presley, Enigma, Erasure, Eric Clapton, Esthero, Especially for Youth (best of), Europe, Ewan McGregor, Extreme

F:Faith Hill, Fall Out Boy, Fatboy Slim, Feist, Felicia Sorenson, Fergie, Finger Eleven, Fiona Apple, Firehouse, The Fixx, Fleetwood Mac, Flight of the Conchords, Foo Fighters, Foreigner, The Fortunes, The Four Tops, Fox Elipsus, Frank Sinatra, Frankie goes to Hollywood, The Fray, Frou Frou, Fuel, Fun Boy Three,

G: Gabriel Yared, Garth Brooks, Gavin DeGraw, General Public, Genesis, George Michael, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Gershwin, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Gliss, Gnarls Barkley, The Go-Go's, Go West, Gonzales, Goo Goo Dolls, The Grass Roots, Green Day, Greg Simpson, Gretchen Wilson, Guns N' Roses, Guster, Gwen Stefani

Two Cool Trips

I've been behind in my blogging for a while! I've been on two awesome trips in the last week and a half, which I need to give the run d0wn in case I otherwise don't blog about it.

California: I flew out of DTW Friday evening. The flight loads were pretty iffy, but a three hour flight delay got me a seat on the flight to LAX. I arrived in LA around 11:30, picked up my rental car and met Liz for fresh strawberry donuts in Glendora. I got in at the in-laws at 2:00 am, and was up again at 7:30. It was a super-hot, sunny day (over 100 degrees!) I visited with Lissy and Tyler, who are expecting twins this August (if not sooner). I did a little gift shopping, grabbed some In-N-Out, and rifled through the sweltering hot shed looking for my high school scrapbooks (no luck). Liz and I drove to Pasadena, indulged in marzipan princess cake and rum rolls at Federicos and continued on to the Huntington. The gardens were beautiful and relaxing.

After returning from Pasadena, I visited with my in-laws who had returned from a funeral. I grabbed a 20 minute nap, then drove out to Rancho Cucamonga for Chris and Mary's wedding reception. The ring ceremony and reception was beautiful, and I ran into a lot of friends I was hoping to see. I then drove over to Brett's to his Syttende Mai Norway party. I toasted to Norwegian toasts, and grabbed a plate of Scandinavian desserts to eat on the way to LAX. I dropped of the rental car around 11:30, and made it on the 12:30 flight no problem. Total time in California: 25 hours.

Upstate New York: Since Taylor was hired by the airline, most of our travel has been by airplane (except for our cross-country moving trips). Taylor, Rosie and I had the same three days off for Memorial Day, and despite $4.19/gallon gas prices, were itching to take a road trip. We left around 9 am, endured a 80 minute border crossing at Port Huron, drove through Ontario, Canada to Niagara Falls. We balked at the $20 parking fee to be in the closest lots to the Falls, and drove down the road to a $10 lot with shuttle service. The falls were beautiful and super misty, and a large rainbow stretched across much of the area. We got lucky with the Niagara border crossing, only having to wait 3 cars to enter the U.S. again.

We drove on to Rochester and met up with my old friend Alan, and his girlfriend Liz. We got reacquainted at his place, then drove downtown for dinner. The restaurant had an hour wait, so we drove to High Falls in the meantime.We returned to the restaurant and ate at Dinosaur BBQ, one of the best BBQ I've ever had! Alan also took us for a tour of his laser laboratory at the University of Rochester, where he is working on his PhD.

In the morning, we drove to Palmyra to see the church history sites. We hiked the Moroni Monument, watched a movie in the visitor center, toured the Joseph Smith and Frame homes, enjoyed the Sacred Grove, and finished at the printing press downtown. The drive back to Rochester criss-crossed the Erie Canal several times. We took Alan out for lunch at The King and I Thai, then hit the road back to MI. The best part of the return trip was the clear view of Toronto for much of the drive from the border to Hamilton. Someday the trip will be specifically for Toronto! We arrived home at midnight. Total trip time: 39 hours.

SOMEDAY I'd like to take a trip that I actually have time to relax...