A Vegas Girl in Provo

Things I'm obsessing about right now...

2009-11-19T02:00:00.000-08:00

Khiels lotion

My fall/winter uniform: sweater dress and boots

Sugar Free Jello Pudding snacks- 60 cals for all that creamy chocolate goodness? Yes please!

My Uggs- how did my feet stay warm with out them?

Gold necklaces- not in the gangster or Italian sort of way. Think J. Crew...

Dreaming about what I'll be when I grow up. Is it bad that I don't know yet?

Glee- just bought Vol. 1 of music from the show- it's stellar!

Teaching my lab- my students are a hoot!

Netflix- movies straight to my computer? Where have you been all my life?

Traveling- on the short list of places I want to go next: New York, Puerto Rico, the UK and Chicago

Reality TV: Kardashians, the Hills, the City, Tough Love...

Zumba- most fun I've ever had at the gym

Yoga in my room instead of the gym

Hating on overrated popular things....like Twilight.

Being an Aunt!!!!!

"Cat"astrphoic Conversations

2009-11-17T04:16:00.000-08:00

You know those people that tell stories about their cat or their weekend of fishing in painstaking detail? They're on minute twenty of talking about Fluffy and suddenly you're hoping for a nose-bleed. an earth quake, ANYTHING to get you away from there.

Sometimes I feel like that person. It all starts innocently enough...

Them: So, Holly, what do you do?

Me: I'm a grad student. I'm getting my masters in Mass Communications.

Them: Mass Communications...so...that's...um...what is that?

This is the response I normally get when I tell people what I'm getting my masters in. If people know what mass communications is (I'll explain it in a second here) they usually ask what my emphasis is. That's because if you major in communications as an undergrad you pick an emphasis (advertising, public relations, journalism, broadcast, electronic media). But for your masters, you study all those areas.

Once I get people up to speed then the conversation usually goes like this...

Them: So you study all areas of communications? Like what do you study?

Me: Well, for instance, I did a study of blogging moms. We surveyed them to find out if blogging and reading other mom's blogs affected their self-esteem and if they feel pressure from comparing themselves to other moms.

(Usually at this point they're still with me, though some already have eyes glazed over.)

Them: Cool! So you do surveys and stuff. About blogging. That's neat. What else do you study?

Me: Um. Well, my thesis is on the effects of alcohol advertising responsibility messages on adolescents. I interviewed 120 adolescents and asked them what they think about "drinking responsibly." Then I have to transcribe the interviews and...

(at this point I've lost about 90% of people, so I switch tracks)

I wrote a paper about the discrepancies between American and Russian responses to human trafficking. You know, like that movie Taken?

Them: Oh yeah! Taken! Great movie.

(Aaaannnd they're back.)

I can't blame people. Looking in from the outside, it's boring as hell. Research is a labor of love. Finding and reading upwards of 40 obscure journal articles that can *hopefully be useful for a literature review. Doing statistical gymnastics to get your numbers to mean something. Thank goodness for SPSS. Writing and re-writing and re-writing and still not making sense. Sometimes by the end of it I think I'd rather have to stop drinking Diet Coke rather than read the draft again.

But when you have 20 pages of blood, sweat, and tears down on paper and maybe, somehow in a small way it contributes to the ever growing patchwork of knowledge of how we all talk and learn and interact and live...you feel on top of the world.

Researchers are curious and never satisfied and always learning. And sometimes boring. So, if you've ever asked me what I do, or what I study and I bored you to tears, I apologize. Consider it payback for when you told me stories about your cat.

Bitter has left the building

2009-09-28T02:32:00.000-07:00

In an effort to truly put myself out there, I’ve dated (meaning been on more than a couple dates with) approximately 10 guys in the past 12 to 13 months. That’s a lot of guys and a lot of dates. I’ve learned an awful lot about myself (and some of it really was awful). Like, sometimes I think too much, and don’t say enough. Sometimes, I don’t think enough, and have word vomit. High expectations can be good, but those expectations have to be tempered with kindness and a dose of reality. Ugh, reality. Judgment can and should be used, but only judge someone as harshly as you’d like them to judge you. Good on paper doesn’t always mean good on a date. And sometimes when a guy only meets the bare minimum of items on the checklist, the chemistry can be out of this world. Oh, and sometimes, if I don’t sleep and have one too many Rockstars (the caffeinated beverage, not actual Rockstars) I can say some really weird things. (One guy called me crazy. And it wasn’t like “Whooo-hoo! You’re just crazy amounts of fun! It was in no way, shape, or form a compliment.)

During the past year, dating has been, shall we say, painful. Imagine how you feel after an 18-hour day of wearing 4-inch stilettos. On the outside it looks great, sexy even. But by the end of the day, everything hurts, and if you can’t take the heels off soon, you might stab yourself in the eye, just to forget about the pain in your feet.

The list of atrocities I’ve suffered seemingly never-ends. I’ve been flaked out on. One guy cancelled a date like three nights in row because he was too tired. Seriously. Drink a diet coke. I’ve been offered dinner from a vending machine, and asked to a hotel room (both were the same guy). I’ve been left hanging. I went out with a guy three times and he said he’d call, but never did. Where do those guys go? Off to the Island of Lost Men? Turns out, he got back with his ex. Why not just tell me that so I don’t have to wonder what I did wrong? I’ve been treated like a child. One guy asked what I was looking for in a guy, so I told him. Little did I know, it was a trick question. After I divulged, he said, “You know, I think girls should focus a little more on what they can offer a husband, and a little less on what they want out of a husband.” Condescending much?

I’ve been lied to. I’ve been booty-called, I’ve been name-called, had my heart broken and just generally disrespected. Now you might look at me and say, “Holly, get a grip. These are your problems? Some mediocre dates and a few bad break-ups?” Well, sir, I look at you and say, “Yeah my life’s not so bad, but what’s a blog for if not for some self-indulgent whining?”

Not that I haven’t had some fun, and some good experiences. And sometimes, lets be honest, it just comes down to the fact that you’re not a match. But dating is a means to an end. And when you can’t seem to reach that end (yes, I mean the “M” word) all the negative experiences can become overwhelming and discouraging. I mean, I have a righteous desire, and I’m doing my part, so what gives?

Despite sometimes feeling like I’m at the end of my rope, I’ve decided this: No matter how bad dating gets, no matter how long it takes to find that guy, and no matter how many break-ups I suffer through, (and no matter how many dates I am asked on by text message) I refuse to carry that baggage forward. I will be kind and sweet and positive. I will be optimistic. I will not make one guy atone for the sins of the previous 8 or 9. I will not be cynical, bitter, or jaded (or maybe just enough to stay a little feisty, cause let's be honest, we all like that). I will be humble enough to recognize my shortcomings, and gracious enough to overlook the shortcomings of others. (Now you're saying, "Yes, this is what blogs are for, some public self-realization.")

And if all else fails, and I’m still single at 40, I’ll just take a trip to the animal shelter and adopt a dozen cats, start a knitting club, and hit up my nearest Mervyn’s for some elastic waist pants.

Just kidding. I will NEVER wear elastic waist pants.

I love being a girl (most of the time).

2009-08-30T22:01:00.000-07:00

I have always been a girly girl. My parents tried to sign me up for sports. I would have none of it. Not that I think there is anything wrong with sports, it's just not in my nature to care about them. I have always loved music and singing and the performing arts. Instead of soccer or gymnastics like most girls my age, I wanted to take singing lessons.
When I was young, my mom would sit me on the toilet backwards and would brush my hip-length hair out and then french braid it or crimp it, or put rollers in it. Even though she yanked the heck out of my head (love you Mom!), I loved the end result. I picked out my outfits the night before, carefully matching and color coordinating my Keds with alternating colors of layered socks, leggings and t-shirt. Now, I'm more into Banana Republic and Nordstrom, but I started refining my taste at an early age.
I was an early bloomer (I had boobs at age 10- yeah, it sucked), I wore as much makeup as I was allowed to, and would bring it to school so I could reapply as the day went on. If only I had know about Sephora at that point!! I was still carrying my Cover Girl compact in my back pocket. I remember waking up extra early just so I could spend an hour doing my hair. And, my feet are now numb because I started wearing 3 inch heels to school when I was 15. Not in a slutty way, but just in a clearly-heels-are-more-awesome-than-tennis-shoes way.
I love dressing up, being feminine, being a sister and a daughter. I love chick flicks, and Jane Austen, and Ben and Jerry, and chocolate. I love that boys open doors for us girls, pay for our dinner, let us lay on their shoulder and tell us how good we look and how good we smell. I hate spiders, and being cold, and scary movies. I love that I get to be a mom, and at some point also have a career, if I want to. I really love ALMOST everything about being a girl and almost all girly things (except Twilight. That is a girly thing I do not love).
But sometimes, you feel helpless. When you're alone in a parking lot at night, or you're alone in your apartment at night, or you can't move something, or you really just need a hug. I hate feeling helpless. I hate the acute realization of my limitations. That's when I hate being a girl. But, most of the time, I LOVE it.

Holly Hobbie

2009-08-11T23:52:00.000-07:00

To all those of you who actually read my blog, sorry I have been such a slacker!

I've realized lately that I have no hobbies. What are hobbies anyway? Why do people invest so much time and effort into them? I mean coin collecting? Really. I'm going to spend thousands of dollars on some old coins? Try again. I could buy a really nice bag with that. And birdwatching? My arms get tired just thinking of holding up binoculars for hours. Not to mention, I don't give a crap about birds.

One of the stock questions you can count on being asked when dating someone is, "What do you like to do for fun?," or "What are your hobbies?" My stock answer usually includes some variation of reading, going to the gym, shopping, hanging out with my friends, and anything to do with food (like cooking it. Or eating it.) This is usually followed by a minute of silence and a slightly confused look. "No, but what are your hobbies? You know, what do you do in your spare time?" Like the emphasis will change my answer. That's...what I do.

Oh, wait. Does shopping not count as a hobby? And if not, why not? At least if I spend money I have more to show for it than some old stamp or coin. I think the confusion lies in other people's narrow definition of the word hobby. According to those guys Merriam and Webster (who are experts, by the way) a hobby is anything one pursues outside of their regular occupation especially for relaxation. All of the hobbies I mentioned fit this definition PERFECTLY, thank you.

Although this post was spurred by a recent conversation, it's root is in previous dating experiences with "super outdoor adventure guy" and "what are your passions guy".

Yes, my hobbies fit nicely with the dictionary definition, but to these hobby minded men, my answers were not satisfactory. Outdoor guy (remember the guy with the vacuum lines? Same guy.) was headed off every weekend to "canyoneer" or "backpack" some treacherous terrain. It was clear that even though he could not stand up from a sitting position with out groaning old man style, these excursions made him feel all testosterone-ish and manly. He would casually work into conversations how he had "summitted" some high altitude peak or another, and tell tales of sheer cliffs with no place to grip (however did he make it up!?). I suppose these mentions would have impressed a more outdoor savvy girl than myself, but then, I prefer heels to hiking boots. So I told him, "I totally found Rockin Republic jeans for $80 at Nordstrom Rack this weekend." That was an amazing find. The shopping equivalent of summitting peak yadda yadda. What do get in return? Yeah. Blank stare. I acted like his hobby was cool, why can't he return the favor?

Then there's passions guy. He's always talking about how he's passionate about things and blah blah. Maybe if he wasn't so passionate about riding his road bike he'd be 34 and married instead of 34 and single. Yeah, I said it. Well, he was always asking me, "what are your passions, what are your passions?" My passion is you not asking me that at this particular moment. So I told him what I care most about is my family and the Church. "Noo, but what do you like to dooo." So I gave him my stock answer. Blank stare. "You read? That's cool I guess." What- now reading isn't a hobby?

What these guys were looking for were answers that fit their perception of "hobby," which apparently only means something active that you do outdoors. I admit my some of my hobbies are not very traditional, and maybe I only have a few, but I have good reasons.

Number 1. I'm fickle. I know this about myself. I have hobby ADD. I get really excited and spend lots of time and money, and then 'poof!' I'm bored. For example, I took up road biking a few years ago, and totally loved it. So I bought a really nice, expensive bike thinking that it was a good investment. Well, I've ridden that bike approximately 10 times.

Number 2. I like being outside. For a bit. But long periods of time outside leads to discomfort such as mosquito bites, sunburn, or getting cold and/or dirty. So lots of outdoor hobbies are out.

Number 3. I like school (which is currently my job), so I don't really have this huge need for another outlet, besides just being around good friends. And when I enjoy the company, it really doesn't matter what we do.

I may not have many hobbies, but what I do have are books to get lost in, friends that I cherish, family that I love, and lots of cute clothes. What else does a girl need?

Gee, thanks, feminists.

2009-06-19T04:24:00.000-07:00

I recently had plans to go on a date with a guy. Fortunately, before we met up, we had quite a long phone conversation. The conversation veered to the topic of what each was looking for in a future spouse, as conversations with dates are apt to do. Well, I can tell you this guy's list was, shall we say, comprehensive.

He wants a woman who is a great cook, who keeps herself looking good (i.e. frequents the gym and dresses well), likes and wants kids, high sex drive, homemaker extraordinaire, frugal, spiritual, oh and he wanted someone who was willing to financially contribute, because why should the responsibility of providing lie solely on the man?

A career driven, sex-crazed, hot to trot, betty-crocker-super-mom.

If that's not the epitome of a paradox, I'm not sure what is. Where does such a woman exist? In the words of Elizabeth Bennett, "She would surely be a fearsome thing to behold."

I blame the feminists for men's unrealistic expectations of what the women in their life should be, and for women everywhere feeling inadequate when they don't accomplish everything on the above-mentioned list. Rosie the Rivter might as well be saying, "We can do it ALL." But let me tell you, it's false advertising. And it's too much to expect. The problem with shouting for decades, "WE CAN DO IT!!," is that eventually society will call your bluff . Well, I'm folding. I don't want to do it all, at least not all at once.

What woman feels like having sex after a long day of the gym, getting her-self and the kids ready for the day, working, picking up kids, soccer practice, cooking dinner, homework, cleaning house.

I want to be a great wife and mother, and I'm willing to put aside career aspirations when that time comes. What better way can a woman contribute to the world than to raise happy, healthy, productive children, and supporting and caring for her man? Scoff if you'd like, but my husband will love his life.

When I hear a man saying he wants a woman who can do it all, I don't appreciate his modern approach to gender roles. I think... he must be one lazy SOB.

2009-02-11T03:08:00.000-08:00

This video is just too funny! Gladys and I would be friends I think!!

I saw the movie "Taken" this weekend. Wow! It was so suspenseful I thought i might

pee. Anyway, It was great!! It deals with the subject of human trafficking. Human

trafficking is basically modern day slavery. There are an estimated 600,000 to 800,000

humans trafficked every year. Usually, people are lured to another country on false

pretenses of a job. Often they are asked for a down payment to secure their spot.

Once they reach their destination, their papers and passports are taken and they are

forced to work in horrible conditions. I have decided to focus one of my papers this

semester on trafficking. I think this topic needs to be brought to light. It's a topic

that is not often studied, because unlike other human rights issues, the victims are

hostages and have no voice. This blog is a little random, but it was on my mind.

I'm hungry, and a few other complaints.

2009-01-29T00:48:00.000-08:00

I'm hungry. It's not regular hunger. It's a burning, nagging, never going to be sated hunger. I think it has to do with the new workouts my trainer is making me do. But I tell you what. I have never been more hungry in my life.

For instance, I got a Thai Peanut Chicken Bowl from Guru's (who, by the way has the surliest workers in Provo. Most places you go here in Provo, everyone is uber perky. Not at Guru's. Those people have never heard the phrase "service with a smile." It's more like service with a grimace, or a smirk. Sorry. Tangent.) which would normally be incredibly filling, to the point where I wouldn't even think about food until the next morning. But not now. Now I think about food all the time. While I'm eating, I think about when I get to eat again.

Also, I'm sore. Everywhere. I think I'm getting old. My knees hurt.

Good news? I lost two pounds.

Life is like a Jane Austen Novel and other observations...

2009-01-26T00:03:00.000-08:00

Living in Provo circa now is a bit like living in late 1700's England, as described by Jane Austen in her most popular novels. A whirlwind of parties, social gatherings, intermingling love lives, a modern-day Mr. Darcy and one too many Mr. Collins's. My Mr. Dacry took a while to grow on me. A successful business man, well-travelled, and charming, I, like Elizabeth before me, thought he was horribly conceited and awfully full of himself. I don't think I'm on his radar at all, but hopefully we'll cross paths again. Where's Emma when you need a matchmaker?? If you didn't understand those references, you need to catch up on your Jane.

In pop culture news...I saw Bride Wars....twice. It was good! Maybe a little cheesy, but you know you're getting into that. If you haven't seen this movie yet, you may need to re-examine your priorities. You'll probably see that you priorities are fine, and I'm a loser cause I saw it two times. Also, my favorite One Tree Hill alumnus in this movie. His part is not NEARLY big enough, but his adorableness makes up for it. Y-U-M-M-Y.

In March one of the most compelling shows to hit TV will be returning with an all new drama filled season. Keeping Up with the Kardashians. The back-stabbing and jealousy reach all time highs. Just watch the trailer.

2009-01-21T23:10:00.000-08:00

So dating has been pretty lame lately. I have gone out with this guy a few times who is a bit older. I thought, "He's older, he should know what he wants and be over playing game." Sooo wrong. This guy is freaking Houdini. In fact, we'll call him Houdini for the purpose of this blog. He first appeared in about October. After our first date he seemed VERY into me, and so the next week I went to his house and he made dinner. Then we planned for him to come to my house, and he didn't show up because HE FELL ASLEEP. Seriously. Then he disappeared for about three weeks. Around Thanksgiving he resurfaced. Calling all the time, texting and what not. Then he disappears again. So I get back from Christmas break, and here he is again blowing up my facebook chat. I told him that we could be friends, but I wasn't interested in dating someone who clearly wasn't that interested in me. He apologized and made a bunch of excuses for his inattention and whatever. Stupid me believed the jerk and agreed to go out again. We hang out, then he disappears for two weeks. When he finally contacts me it's on facebook. I told him I was over it and not to talk to me anymore.

Then I went out with "guy who totally doesn't look like his picture." He was nice enough, and even reads National Review, but no attraction at all. Bummer. Then I want out with Future Novelist of America. He even showed up in a slightly wrinkled oxford shirt. He's a masters student as well studying literature and writing. He was interesting and we argued about the merits of Kafka (he loves him, I hate him), had a great dinner and nice walk downtown. But his communication is ridiculous, totally random and not of the calling variety (meaning a random text or IM). Really? Is this how we date these days? So I'm taking a break from dating I think. I need to focus on school and start writing my thesis anyway.

I also need to focus on the gym. I just started working with a trainer!! My goal is to lose 15 lbs by April. Wish me luck!!

My Favortie Things

2009-01-11T15:03:00.000-08:00

Every year Oprah does a show of her favorite things. Not that I'm as cool as Oprah, but I do try lots of beauty products and hair products. Sephora is one of my favorite places. So, don't waste your money sampling tons of different products. I'll tell you what I have tried and loved.

Hair

Ojon Products- Never have I tried a line of hair products that was so amazing. I have thick, coarse, wavy, long, dry, hard to manage hair. Most conditioners weigh my hair down with a waxy film, which left my hair looking dull. Somehow, Ojon products moisturize my hair, but leave it silky, shiny and healthy and easy to blow dry straight. I buy the Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Cleanser, the Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Conditioner, the Leave-In Glossing Cream, and the Hydrating Styling Cream.

I also like most of the products by Frederic Fekkai. I especially like the Wave Creating Spray, the Glossing Cream, and the Sheer Hold Hair Spray.

I also use Ojon Dry Shampoo since I don't wash my daily.

Skin

Philosophy has some great products. I love their Hope in a Tube, the Booster Serum, the Microdelivery Face Wash, and Purity cleanser. Also, The Present, philosphy's foundation primer is the best invention. You put it on under your foundation and it creates a flawless finish and helps your make up last all day.

The Oxygen Peel is really fun. You have little capsules, you mix the contents of them with water, and it turns to a gel. You smooth the gel on your face, then add another layer. The whole thing starts to create little bubbles. It's like a chemistry experiment on your face, and the result is glowing skin.

Make Up

Still gotta love MAC. Most everything there is great. I especially love their lip glosses. I just got NARS The Multiple, which is basically a cream blush and it's the best one I have ever used. Usually cream blushes break me out, this one doesn't, yet it gives the same color payoff of other cream blushes. I recently tried Buxom Lash by Bare Minerals and it's a great mascara if you like big, fat lashes. Bare Minerals also has great sparkly eye shadows. It's not much use to me here in the tundra known as Utah, but if you are going to wear a skirt use Sally Hansen Spray-on Panty Hose. I usually rub it in with a make up sponge to make it look natural. It's like foundation for your legs.

a snow hating haiku

2008-12-18T15:29:00.000-08:00

I really hate snow
You can't wear any cute shoes
Ruining my life

It's the final countdown...

2008-12-18T04:44:00.000-08:00

In the wee, small hours of the morning, on the last day of my first semester of grad school, the only thing getting me through to that midnight deadline for this paper is thinking of all the stuff I'm going to do over Christmas break!! Here's a rough list.

1. SLEEP
2. hopefully watch marathons of stupid shows (i.e. Kardashians, Jon and Kate, What Not to Wear)
3. shop with my friend Anesha who will be visiting
4. work (just a little at my dad's office)
5. bake cookies
6. go out to eat/eat my mom's cooking
7. work out
8. visit with old friends
9. read (for pleasure...please send book recommendations!!)
10. go to the movies
11. hang out with my family
12. blog (ha!)
13. get warm (hopefully...stupid vegas snow)

Yes, it will be a good break. For now, the thought of it will have to do.

The end of the semester has been pretty stressful. In the course of transplanting everything I've learned in the past three months onto paper in coherent sentences, I may or may not have consumed the following items:

5 tear and share size bags M&M's
6 vending machine size bags of pretzels
1 entire bag of tostitos and 1 entire jar of queso dip
innumerable amounts of diet coke
5 diet rock stars
3 vending machine size bags of cheddar harvest sun chips
4 vending machine size bags of chips ahoy cookies
6 100 cal bags of popcorn
4 cookies brought by our neighbors
6 regular size bags of peanut M&M's
1 package of HoHo's
2 chocolate iced donuts from 7-11
1 apple coffee cake from borders

Part of this had to do with the fact that I lived out of a vending machine for days while working on analyzing data and stuff. Yeah, pretty disgusting. Unfortunately I will be atoning for these sins while on break, and therefore won't be able to partake in a lot of the good food. So, please, if you see me with a cookie in my hand, you have permission to say, "Fatty, put down the food."

In defense of the gold digger

2008-11-10T19:48:00.000-08:00

I have had some interesting conversations with members of the opposite sex while here in Provo. During these conversations various aspects of dating have been discussed. On one occasion I was told that guys my age (26) like to date the 19-20 year olds. Not only that, but they don't want to date girls my age. The reason? Girls my age have expectations and have had experiences. It seems that guys want to date someone who will not expect that they have a plan for their life, or a plan for how they will provide for a family. They don't want to date someone who may have more education then them or who has had more life experiences than them. Another conversation informed me that all a girl needs to be is "hot and sweet." Kinda like wings?

I've been told I have "so much going for me." But come to find out, that might not be a good thing. All I really need to do is work on my abs, maybe dumb it down a bit, and apparently that will make me every guys dream. What the crap am I doing in grad school?

It has also come to my attention that guys don't like it when girls have expectations regarding their income or chosen career path. They think that girls who do are gold diggers. I find this interesting given the above conversations. Guys want a hot girl. I don't have a problem with that. I guess I have a problem with the hypocrisy. If at the top of a guy's list is looks, then how can he have a problem with a girl wanting a successful guy? Both are fairly temporal, no?

I have a problem with being labeled a gold digger just because I am trying to find a good provider for my future family. I'm not really sure why a guy would resent a girl who was trying to find that. In my estimation, a real man would take pride in providing for a family, or in developing the skills that will allow him to do that. I'm not trying to sound down on dating or on guys, and even though I have had some horrible dates, I'm not jaded toward the process. But I'm starting to accept that fact that the marriage thing might not happen for me.

An open letter to the jerks at Golds Gym

2008-10-22T21:26:00.000-07:00

Dear 9th East Gold's Gym Members,

Are you completely and totally oblivious to the huge dumbbells you just left on the floor, or are waiting for your mom to come pick up after you? If I trip on a 55lb weight one more time I'm going to develop some super human strength, turn green Hulk style, and hurl the weight at your head. Just giving you fair notice.

Best,
Holly

Do you wanna hang out?

2008-10-21T15:01:00.000-07:00

So I went on a date with a guy a while ago and didn't hear from him. I thought he was cool, so I was a little disappointed. Today out of the blue he calls. "Do you have plans tonight?" he asks.

"Actually I do," I say, "I'm going with a group to make tin foil dinners, plus I have homework and the gym at some point."

"Do you want to ditch?" he asks. No not really, I think.

"Well," I say, "They already paid for my food and are planning on me being there. And I can't really ditch homework. Why what do you have in mind?" I say this thinking that if he wants me to ditch my friends, who I really enjoy hanging out with and I'm not inclined to flake out on, that he must have a really cool date planned. Drum roll please.....

"Well I was just thinking maybe you could come over and we could hang out," he says.

Really. Hang out? You are 33 and "hang out" is the best you can come up with? You want me to ditch a fun activity to hang out??!! I know I sound like a brat, but everyone knows that when a guy asks you to hang out he really means come over and make out. He's taken me on one date, haven't spoken to him for days and I'm supposed to ditch the friends for what? Some mediocre make out sesh with a guy I couldn't possibly know I like? If you want the pleasure of my company, I need incentive, or least a little notice. Like call me the day before (at least) and say "Hey, do you want to ________" (insert fun activity or good restaurant name here).

I guess I'm just not the hang out kind of girl.

Tagged again!

2008-10-21T00:33:00.000-07:00

I got tagged by my cousin Emily forever ago, so I better post something. I'm supposed to write six random facts about my self.

Random fact #1- I went to George Cloony's birthday party. George Cloony has a house in Green Valley, close to where I live. My good friend Heather and I went out dancing at a club in the Green Valley Ranch Casino. We were just sitting on a bench talking and a girl came up and asked us if we wanted to go into the VIP room. We said "sure!" We walk in and there was Jeremy Piven, Jeffery Tamboor, Seth Green, some other random celebrities and in the middle of it all was George Cloony making out with some random hot girl. He proceeded to make out with like 5 others while we were there. Pretty random! While living Vegas I have also danced next to Kevin Federline, Jessica Simpson, Kenny G. (seriously), the whole Sixers and Lakers basketball teams, and Paris Hilton, eaten dinner next to Andre Agassi and George Maloof, and shopped next to Beyonce and JayZ.

Random Fact #2- I have always wanted to own a bakery. I love, love, love to bake. But I hate getting up early, and you usually have to if you own a bakery. But my sister gave me the best idea to have a bakery that is geared toward late night studying college kids, open from 3pm-3am. I think it's perfect. If the economy is ever good again and I can get a loan I will do it.

Random Fact #3- I love beauty products. I can spend hours in Sephora. I especially love samples of beauty products. I love it when I buy a new product and try it for the first time. It's like Christmas morning to me. I know, it's weird.

Random Fact #4- I love Dr. Laura. If you haven't heard of her, look it up. Lots of people think she is harsh and mean for the sake of entertainment. I think her straight forward and pragmatic take on life is what is missing in the world.

Random Fact #5- I have a small fridge in my room where I keep my diet coke, and a basket where I keep my hundred calorie packs so no one will touch them.

Random Fact #6- I have some weird food issues. I hate mushy things...canned fruit and veggies, the fruit at the bottom of yogurt, bread that gets soggy on a sandwich , overcooked pasta. I also have a weird thing about temperature. I won't eat cold pizza or cold Chinese leftovers. Never have been sure how that is appetizing. I also thing that tuna fish should never be warm (like a tuna melt), and especially never mixed with thing like mac and cheese (that's for you Michael if you're reading). Fish like salmon should never be cold i.e. lox, or smoked salmon.

busy, busy

2008-10-19T21:49:00.000-07:00

I have been a busy girl with no time to post. Between school and socializing I barely have time to shower! Last weekend a group of us went to see an 80's band in Salt Lake. They dress up like Revenge of the Nerds and cover tons of 80's songs. Jayson was the only guy...I think he felt like a pimp. Ha ha! The picture below is Me, Jayson, Erikka and Kallie.
This is the four of us girls: Me, Erikka, Kallie and Lindsay. They are so nice! The first ward activity we had they invited me to come hang out and play games at their apartment. The rest is history!

A couple weekends ago Heather (my old roommate who just moved out. Boo!) and her friend Jillian went to Park City to shop at the outlets. It was super cold and rainy, but we didn't care because we found amazing deals. Heather got a purse at the Coach outlet, I got a way cute dress at J. Crew and a denim pencil skirt at GAP and Jillian got some sweaters at Banana Republic. Then we stopped at Chili's for some much needed sustenance after a long day of shopping.

Jillian and Heather

Every Tuesday a group in our ward gets together to do something: a movie, games, etc. Last week it was Karaoke. The song list wasn't great. Usually I do Britney Spears, but that wasn't available. After scouring the list for a good song I saw Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond. I thought, "I know that song. I've heard it a hundred times." Turns out I only know the chorus. And the key it was in was way too low for me. All in all it was a disaster. Regardless we had a good time!

Below: Me, Jared, Kallie and Jayson at Karaoke

This past week I decided to have a party to get excited about Fall. I made homemade soup and corn muffins, sugar cookies, caramel apples, and pumpkin trifle. Lots of people came and it was way fun! I think I found a new hobby: party hostess! I learned it all from my mom who has mad skills.

My roommate took pictures of me while I was baking.

This is my roommate Sarah and my friend Anesha. Anesha is in grad school with me at BYU. Both of these girls make me laugh everyday!

Me and Anesha

These are all people in my ward (left to right):Kristin, Jared, Lindsay, Kimber, Andrew. They were all watching the BYU game and were all depressed when BYU got spanked by TCU. Luckily, I don't care about sports!

This is the table that is kind of set up. Almost everything you see on the table was totally devoured. All the rolls, all the soup, tons of cookies, and even almost the whole veggie tray! College kids can put down some food.

More people from my ward: Ashley, Kyle, and Daniel

On Sunday, I posted video of me singing, but didn't write anything about it. I'm singing for a ward talent show. I had the words in my hand because I agreed to sing on Saturday and then had to perform Monday. On Monday, my power got turned because of a miscommunication with my roommate who moved out. So, I couldn't shower or do my hair or anything. Luckily Kallie, Lindsay and Erikka let me come over and use their bathroom. Thanks girls!

2008-10-19T20:45:00.000-07:00

I've been tagged...not the graffiti kind

2008-10-08T19:04:00.000-07:00

8 Favorite TV Shows...
1. So You Think You Can Dance
2. American Idol
3. The Soup
4. Grey’s Anatomy
5. Gilmore Girls (It’s only reruns, but I never get tired of it)
6. The Office
7. The Hills
8. Burn Notice

8 Favorite Restaurants...
1. Carrabba’s
2. PF Changs (or its cheaper counter part, Pei Wei)
3. Port of Subs (I miss you!)
4. Café Rio
5. Evos (I miss you!)
6. Mon Ami Gabi
7. Panera (I miss you!)
8. Cosi (I'm jealous that you have it there in MI)

8 things that happened yesterday (Tuesday)...
1. I went to class
2. I went to a study group
3. I watched the news
4. I posted a blog
5. I talked to my roommates
6. I went to karaoke (sang Sweet Caroline..it was a disaster. Turns out I only know the chorus.)
7. I did ALOT of homework
8. I went to the Crest

8 things to look forward to...
1. Finishing this awesome research project I'm doing
2. A good date
3. My Fall Fest I'm having next Friday
4. Going home for Thanksgiving and seeing my family
5. Christmas
6. Getting through my first semester of grad school
7. The election
8. Losing the last five pounds!

8 things I love about Fall...
1. Fall candles
2. Crisp air
3. Leaves changing
4. Scarves
5. Jackets
6. The smell in the air
7. Thanksgiving
8. Pumpkin desserts

8 things on my wishlist...
1. To see my family
2. Graduate from grad school
3. Visit my sister in MI
4. Pay off my student loans (one day)
5. Take an awesome trip- a cruise, New York City, something like that!
6. My landlord will let us throw away the ugly furniture that's here
7. That I will find something cool to do this summer
8. Overpriced Coach snow boots (I wish my sister could have them too!)

How To Play This Game of Tag:
1. Post these rules on your blog2. List: 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 random surprising facts about yourself3. Tag 3 people at the end of your post by leaving their names

3 Joys:
1. School/learning
2. My family
3. meeting new friends, keeping in touch with old friends

3 Fears:
1. The economy right now
2. Not graduating
3. A member of my family dying

3 Goals:
1. To get to the gym 5 times a week
2. Figure out how to live on less
3. manage my time better (hmmmm...)

3 Current Obsessions:
1. Blogging
2. Researching
3. Fox News

3 Random Facts:
1. I am a major night owl. I like to sleep from 2am to 10am.
2. I love samples of beauty products, or small kits with travel size products. I don't know why.
3. Before I go to sleep I check to make sure there are no spiders hiding in my bed.

Now Tag 3 people:1. Becky Evans 2. Celeste Bosch 3. Emily Draper

Of texting and talking

2008-10-07T13:13:00.000-07:00

I'm curious to know what others think about this topic, so please comment if you have input!

I am old enough that that I can remember the advent of texting. I was slow to catch onto the craze. What was this texting business all about? It seemed to take an awfully long time to say very little information, you had to learn all these stupid abbreviations and you can't do it and safely drive. Finally, though, I learned to text and now do it on a regular basis. However, I still prefer to talk on the phone, especially to the person I'm dating.

The problems with texting the person you are dating are numerous. I'm a sarcastic person, but sarcasm doesn't translate well over text. Nor do any jokes, really. For instance, the current potential boyfriend loves to text. He texts me all the time, in fact, and tries to joke. I went back to Vegas last weekend and on Monday he sends a text "Are you happy or sad to be back in the 'tah? :) Do you miss vegas? :(" Back in the 'tah? What is that? It sounds ridiculous, but maybe delivered on the phone, with the right inflection, could have been mildly funny.

Another annoyance is excessive use of emoticons (smiley faces). Especially when guys use them all the time, I have to question their masculinity. PB (potential boyfriend) uses smiley faces so much that if I see another one I might hurl. I would say he averages two emoticons per text. Most of the time it's a regular smiley face, but he does make good use of the wink face. Then there's the use of silly abbreviations. LOL, ha ha, j/k and then a smiley face? Seriously. Again, things that when delivered on the phone or in person are cute or sweet, just annoy in a text.

I also think it's kind of cheating to ask someone out on a date in a text. But I can't really blame guys for this. A cultural phenomenon that has a occurred because of the diffusion of texting, is that calling someone has become a huge deal. To me, a text doesn't replace a phone call. A text is a lazy man's phone call.

Other problems with texting are logistical. When you end a phone call you hang up and it's done. But how do you end a text conversation? Also, you never really know if someone did or did not get your text. If they don't respond you don't know if it's because they don't want to talk or because they didn't get it. You could send the text again, but if they got the text already, they'll just think you are a little crazy.

Maybe I'm being harsh, but these are just my thoughts. Are there new etiquette rules for dating in the 21st century? Is "texting" the new "calling?" Anyone else have a thought?

Provo

2008-10-05T18:55:00.000-07:00

Provo is beautiful. Trees and mountains and what not. Nature isn't really my scene, but I can appreciate it's beauty. Fall is slowly creeping down the mountains into the valley. I went on a walk today and got some great picutres. And yes that is snow on the mountains! SCARY!

One of my favorite places is the Crest. They have a drive through, punch cards that give you every 9th drink free, it's right on my way to school and thay have the best Diet Coke ever. The perfect syrup to carbonation ratio- it's like Diet Coke heaven!

So, I finally saw the house of the guy I'm kind of dating...

2008-10-03T18:19:00.000-07:00

But first a few things...

If you have a facebook, myspace, or other social networking account look at this hilarious article.

If you want to know why we are in the financial crisis look here. (Hint: it's not Wall Street greed, lack of corporate oversight, or even President Bush.)

Didn't watch the debate? Just watch this clip.

Ok, so as I was saying, I finally saw the house of the guy I'm kind of dating. It's always a bit trepidatious on the way over to a guys house for the first time. SO many things run through your mind: Will he have a huge poster of Pamela Anderson on the wall as his only attempt at decorating? Will he have a huge plasma TV but only a futon or Luv Sac to sit on? And will the bathroom be sanitary enough to use? How many game consoles will be littering the floor with all of their various controls? One never knows when gentlemen are left to there own devices.

I turned the corner onto his street. On my left were little dumpy, ghetto apartments with chipped paint and rusty handrails along the stairs. On my right were some fairly new looking and pretty cute town homes. I frantically looked down at my directions. The first complex on the right. Phew, that was a close one.

I walked up the front walk and knocked on the door. There was actually a welcome mat. As I walked inside I was pleasantly surprised. Two new looking leather couches (typical bachelor, but not bad) with actual throw pillows. AND THERE WERE PLANTS. And actual photographs on the walls, that I think were taken by him on all of his various outdoor adventures. And the carpet had vacuum lines...VACUUM LINES. That means he ran the vacuum at some point recently. Maybe only in preparation for my visit, but still. The bathroom was cleaner than mine currently is. Best of all he had a Diet Coke for me. Totally adorable.

Needless to say, I was relieved to find his dwelling place to be clean, nicely decorated and comfortable. I would post pictures, but I felt weird asking him if I could take pictures to post on my blog- ha ha!

Why are there so many haters?

2008-10-02T20:16:00.000-07:00

My amazing friend Caroline sent me this message on Facebook after the debate. I thought it was hilarious! And right on! I inserted my own comments in purple:

1. I have a freaking chemistry degree and sometimes, I CAN'T say "nuclear." Some people just have a hard time with that word. I love that everyone is blabbing about how she's so uneducated on facebook because of that stupid word.
Yes, you are clearly an uneducated miscreant because you can't pronounce nuclear.

2. I didn't think her grammar was terrible. (I am BY FAR not the queen of correct English but I think she sounded fabulous.)
She speaks like an everyday person, liberal elitists don't like that. They like big words.

3. I don't know why there are so many haters of this woman. I thought she was incredible tonight (AND I was one of the scaredy-cats)
People hate her because she has principles. She believes that life is sacred (even that with Down's Syndrome) and she sticks to her guns (literally). She wants to drill in ANWR (that gorgeous pristine wilderness-ha!) She is spunky. She's hot and she's smart. Basically, she makes feminists feel inadequate and she makes Obama look like an elitest because she is real.

4. I DO NOT think she speaks to her audience like they are a bunch of 3rd graders. I hate music people...and their crazy libby-views. GO SMOKE A JOINT IN GERMANY and be a take-all, give-nothing citizen.
Seriously.

Can't wait for the debate!

2008-10-02T16:59:00.000-07:00

Sarah Palin had taken a beating in the press lately, but she's still my homegirl. I can't wait to see her demolish Joe Biden tonight. At least she better! I can't believe this bs about Ifill. How can the "debate committee" (whoever those people are) think that this is even remotely ok? They are really going to let this woman who is clearly in the tank for Obama moderate this debate. Not only that, she has a book coming out about Obama and will stand to gain financially should he be elected. Here is an excerpt from the National Review Media Blog :

Ifill, host of PBS's Washington Week, is writing a book titled, The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama, set to hit bookstores on January 20, Inauguration Day. When critics questioned how Ifill could possibly perform neutrally as a debate moderator given her clear personal and financial interest in an Obama victory, Ifill accused her critics of racism. "Do you think they made the same assumptions about Lou Cannon (who is white) when he wrote his book about Reagan?" Ifill told the Associated Press.

Cannon's biography, Reagan, was published in 1982 — after Reagan had been elected. At the time, the book was praised by both conservative columnist George Will and left-wing activist Tom Hayden. Hayden was quoted on the dust jacket saying, "Lou Cannon, with an objective insider's eye, shows us that Ronald Reagan is not an actor but a genuine dreamer — even if his dream becomes a new American nightmare."

Can we expect the same even-handedness from Ifill? A September 2008 cover story for Essence magazine provides a glimpse into Ifill's view of the Obamas. In a sub-section titled "The Michelle Factor," Ifill tells us that:
Michelle appears unfazed by most of the criticism, focusing instead on what she says she sees as she travels the country — people of all races and descriptions who crowd in to hug her at campaign events, and who do not seem to have gotten the word that she is supposed to be an angry Black woman. "In our generation, we were just taught that if you know who you are, then what somebody calls you is just so irrelevant to the day-to-day issues that have to be a focus of this race," she says, speaking in a rush, as her husband nods in agreement.

In another sub-section titled, "The Candidate Next Door," Ifill writes:
[Barack's half-sister] Maya is part of the tight family circle, accompanying her presidential candidate brother to the soccer games and dance recitals he crams in on rare weekends home. Barack's BlackBerry is ever present, his nightly conference calls with campaign staff a constant. But his wife says she gets what she needs.

"The thing that Barack does is that when he is there, he is a parent," says Michelle. "He's not like play dad. He's the guy who has read through all of the Harry Potter books with Malia. Barack is very good about understanding that the kids and their structure and stability are important. And he's somebody who, if there's discipline that needs to be handed down, he doesn't hesitate just because he hasn't seen them in a week.

The rest of the piece is similarly glowing. By contrast, consider her sullen reaction to Sarah Palin's convention speech: "She belittled — and so did other speakers — Barack Obama at every opportunity, mocking the size of his state, his community-organizer status, and every time there was an explosion in this room."

Ifill's unadulterated adoration for the Democratic nominee, her personal stake in his victory, and her willingness to play the race card against anyone who questions her ability to be an impartial debate moderator, place her firmly In the Tank for Barack Obama.

If you didn't feel like reading the whole thing, it basically says that Ifill is in love with Obama like most other Media types. Some say that regardless of her political leanings she can be objective. Is that really possible? I know I couldn't be objective. I don't even love McCain that much! And I wouldn't have any monetary gain if McCain were to win. So I'm not really sure how this woman is going to be objective. It may not be blatant, but there will be bias.

So. I started a blog.

2008-10-01T21:30:00.000-07:00

Having recently moved from lovely Las Vegas to Provo,UT I've spent lots of time on the phone keeping friends and family caught up with the day to day of my life. While it's definitely trendy, and somewhat narcissistic to have a blog, it's also functional, so here it is!

I'm having a great time here in Provo, and I'm loving my classes at BYU. I have two cute roommates and, after many trips to Ikea and Target, a cute apartment. I feel so lucky to be where I am, and have overcome alot of stuggles to get here. But now that I am, it's time to enjoy the ride!