The Summer Phenomenon

Please tell me I’m not the only one. What is it about summer time that means you melt like a Popsicle outside and freeze indoors? There is no way I’m walking outside in the summer heat carrying a jacket or coat. Even just having that slung over my arm in such heat sounds miserable. Please! Someone turn down the AC!

 

Finals Shminals

It's that beautiful time of the year where the weather is getting warm, the sun is shining, and every college student sits behind a text book missing it. It's finals season.

Everyone has their ways of coping. Apparently this is mine. One of my rare blog entries filled with finals memes. Enjoy the distraction and good luck on finals! (Or whatever is causing stress in your life).

I find that I'm not being very nice on my teacher reviews.... And it seems like no one else is being all to kind or respectful either...

Don't forget to do a victory dance when you've finished your finals

Now I need to add a little note. As I was looking at these pointless memes I saw a lot of memes about how there are so many more important or more difficult things in life than finals. So please view this blog with the understanding that I know there are worse things in life. This was meant to be a humorous, time-wasting distraction. 'Cause sometimes we just can't cope with the stress of whatever is going on in our life.

The Secret of Dating: For Boys

You're looking at a cutesy, girly page! Don't be embarrassed. This is good for you. You may feel like if you get caught reading this by some other guy you'll lose you're man card. It's ok. Just make them read this too (they probably need it more than you do.) Cause I'm about to tell you the secret of dating that girl you really like.

Listen close!

I'll break it down into three simple things for you. Think you can manage that? Sure you can!

1. Be DIRECT

Girls always reminisce: what happened to the "good days" when boys asked a girl on a date by saying "Can I take you on a date?" instead of "We should do something sometime."

You might be thinking "I can't do that! What if they say 'no'?"

Here's a little secret: a girl is more likely to say yes if you are direct about your interest.

By saying "We should do something sometime" you are giving the girl an out! If she's not interested she'll say "ya, sure" and if you're lucky some day it might actually happen, but it will probably be with a group of other people and you'll forever be stuck in what the kids are calling the "friend zone."

If she's interested she'll go with it but neither of you will ever know cause you're just "doing something." And let's be honest, girls over think things. They will wonder over and over if this whole "doing something" is a date or not, so they'll play it cool by not acting too interested.

Now practice. "Can I take you on a date this weekend?"

Scenario #1: The girl is really impressed. She says yes. You win ten points and a date.
Scenario #2: The girl is really impressed. She says no. You win ten points and move on with life. (She'll probably be appreciating your directness the rest of the day and reconsider anyway.)

2. Be a GENTLEMAN

There is a lot to be said about a guy who opens doors. He goes to the girls front door to pick her up for a date, opens her car door for her to get in (let's avoid the awkward opening her door for her to get out of the car though,) and opens all building doors for her. True, you might get your occasional feminist who is offended, but they're so rare that you should probably stop reading this blog now and start a collection of endangered species if you've found one.

Other gentlemanly attribute: LISTEN. Seriously. Hitch had it right. Don't be looking at her lips and wondering what they feel like. If you like her you'll like what she has to say too. Remember the old days of "don't kiss on the first date?" It still applies!

You'll get a date by being direct, but you'll get a second date by listening and responding to what she has to say.

3. GENUINE compliments

Now, I'm not talking about "you're ______ " (insert adjective of physical appearance here). Girls don't want to hear how hot, beautiful, sexy, or cute they are. Yes, a simple "You look nice" or "You look great tonight" at the beginning of a date is wonderful. But PLEASE don't tell us in conversations how pretty we are all the time.

A girl wants to know you're interested in HER not her body. Compliment her on things that make her who she is. Her personality and talents. Wait until you're married to reassure her that you're also still attracted to her physically.

But don't put her on a pedestal. By doing that you are screaming to her "you're better than me! I don't deserve you." And she'll believe it. Admire her without being in awe of her. After all, YOU'RE the man! Be the man!

And that's it. Will following these three things ensure that you'll marry the girl you've been crushing on? Probably not. That's between the two of you. I'm just telling you three little secrets to help. Cause really, girls aren't as complicated as people say. We want respect and honesty just like anyone else.

Now stop reading and start dating.

Bucket List: Minnehaha Falls

I need to start by saying I can't take credit for this picture. (I'll spare you the story of the lost camera) However, this is about what the falls looked like when I went. A little less water though.

I went to the falls in different circumstances than planned. I went as a date. A date I REALLY wasn't looking forward to actually. But it turned out great!

After seeing this beautiful view (and finding a friendly raccoon I named Ralphy,) we danced by a small pool (where according to my date people wash their clothes during the day and children swim). This date also came with sitting in a knotted tree next to the Mississippi River.

So although I wasn't too excited about this adventure to begin with, it couldn't have been any better.

Bucket List: Unplanned

Plans to attend an art museum were suddenly changed when horror of horrors, the museum was closed. Instead we crossed off some bucket list items I didn't even know I should have. Once again my two fearless friends have out done themselves. 

We first explored the wonders of Wild Rumpus, a children's bookstore that has cats and a chicken roaming free inside! The decorations were adorable and books were crammed into every possible location. I could have stayed all day!

We then made our way straight through downtown Minneapolis where I couldn't get enough of the huge buildings rising around us. (Can you tell I don't get out much?)

We finished our adventure with a trip to a Tiki Bar called  Psycho Suzi's. 

Bucket List: Small Pleasures

 These were my attempts to capture small bucket list desires. Ever since moving to Minnesota I've heard how nice Byerly's is. It's only a grocery store, but by the way I've heard people talking about it you'd think it was a palace! "Chandeliers!" and "carpeted floors!" So finally I checked it out. It was indeed, simply a grocery store. To be honest though, I was slightly disappointed not seeing women in beautiful gowns or even a throne inside.

So this is a sad excuse for a "city skyline scene." I'm hoping to get a better one before I leave. Pictures never do justice. The place the photo was taken is a spot I have driven by many times. Every time I come around the corner to see the city lights gleaming it takes my breath away! 

Bucket List: Bettie Page

My friends and I crossed off another item from my bucket list quite a while ago. Bettie Page's, a 50s vintage clothing store. We had so much fun dressing up! The women working doted on us! I have never wanted to live in the 50s SO bad!! It doesn't help that lately I've been watching movies like "White Christmas" and "Holiday Inn." Now all I ever want to do is put on a pretty dress and dance. **SIGH** A girl can dream.

Kosraean Wedding

My cousin got married. His bride is from Kosrae, a small Micronesian island. As a result the wedding was vastly different from any I've ever attended. I think it would have just seemed like a laid back wedding if it weren't for the food (which unfortunately I didn't think to get pictures of). The whole experience felt like playing pretend to me though. So here are some "pretend wedding" pictures.

Beginning the Bucket List

As I near the end of my time in Minnesota I am scrambling to cross off activities from my Minnesota Bucket List. 

Catholic Cathedral in St. Paul

Doesn't do justice to the actual majesty and grandeur of the inside.

Mickey's Dinning Car. Ever seen Jingle All the Way? Mighty Ducks? Those are just a few movies with a scene filmed right here.

Each table has their own little jukebox. We all enjoyed singing along to Lean on Me at the top of our lungs. 

Murder Mystery

My life wouldn't be the grand adventure it is without great friends. Normal people watch movies or play games. We have murder mystery dinner parties. The pictures are horrible, but we still had fun.

The dinner table

 

Our beautiful hostess (the murderer) and her husband

 

 

 

I played the role of Phoebe Tyler Wallingford, a matronly blue-blood

If you look close you may see my white highlights

A Woodland Adventure

Today was a beautiful day, so I decided to go exploring and see what adventures I could find.

The trail I took didn't look like it gets much use.

One of the few people I saw on the part of the trail that was maintained and used.

The view from a hidden beach I found.

There were some beautiful leaves right on the shore.

 And as the sign says, it was "really neat."

 The gold leaves were even reflecting the sunlight.

Doesn't it just look so peaceful?

Scissor Guardian

Yesterday, about an hour before leaving work, there was news that the bank down the street from my office had been robbed
 and that cops were out looking for the culprit.

Concerned about a young single girl sitting by herself during all of this, an agent went to the office manager
to make sure he'd be close by,
just in case. 

No need to worry after this! If any robber came in, my boss would have shown him just what a staple remover can do!

Conversion

Remember that whole college student thing? Ya, that's in transition mode right now too, and it's rather difficult.

Not only have I been out of school for nearly 3 years, but I am transferring colleges. There are all sorts of new terms and ways of doing things that I have to work at staying calm sometimes.(I mean who has ever heard of TSIP? And using my personal email instead of a school one? How weird is that!) I consistently have to remind myself that it's a process and that eventually it will be second nature. I also have to remind myself that I know I'm going where the Lord wants me to be.

Sound familiar to anyone? (Specifically people who have joined the LDS church later in life?)

That's right! Analogy time! But hey, I FINALLY think I can relate! (So I got too excited not to share this.)

I've heard of (and personally witnessed) new converts growing frustrated after joining the church. It's a new language. It's a new culture. It's a new social group. It's confusing. It can be frustrating. I've always known that, but now I really KNOW it.

You hear the familiar words like "Jesus," "Spirit," "faith." But what about those other words? "Bishopric," "endowment," "trunky?" What are those? You knew you were doing the right thing in joining the church but now what you mostly feel is confused and often frustrated.

Here is what has helped me in my own "conversion":

1. Asking! I've had to humble myself and realize that sometimes even the simple things confuse me. But it's better to ask and look stupid than stay quiet and really be stupid.
2. Research. Go to the right source of course. I've spent many hours exploring the Texas State website and wearing their search engine out. 
3. Prayer. Whenever I get really frustrated I start losing hope. I question if my decision was right. But I KNOW it's right! So I pray for peace, patience, and faith. 

Understanding will come! But not all at once. After some time I'm sure I'll look back and laugh, "psh! I can't believe I had such a hard time with that!" 

Let the Adventures Begin!

That's right! My blog is going through some changes. After years of inactivity, I think it's about time.

I've been reflecting on my life thus far, and scheming for my future (and really, who doesn't?). The more I think about it though, I realize life is one great big adventure story. The adventure of being single (or is that more of a horror?), the daily adventure of smiles or tears, the adventure of beginning school again.

Now, my life is nothing like the adventures of Frodo and Sam. Nor will it ever be anything like Gulliver's Travels. (Who wants to be tied down by the little people anyway?) However, it's my adventure and I think it's great! Sure it's full of ups, downs, and really dull moments, but that's what makes life an adventure.

Right now my adventure begins with me. Just me. And some inspirational, supportive characters. Some day I look forward to having a partner through this adventure of life, and our own little hoodlum adventurers. But getting to that point of life is my current adventure.

So it may not always be exciting or glamorous, but I invite you to join my adventure! (Bring your own snacks!)

The Beginnings

So, reading Alyson's blog got me curious enough to start my own. I figure it will encourage me to write out my thoughts and events in life, and give everyone else a chance to do something when they are REALLY bored or when they want to waste time. It's a win-win situation.
As I was babysitting today I had several thoughts. First, as I was putting the 2 year old to sleep I thought, "Having kids won't be that bad. I can do it! (Eventually, in a time long from now)" and then my second thought as the kids fought over a blanket- "Why would anyone have kids?" So we see that I am doomed. I will forever be in a love-hate relationship with the children I will someday have.