Whits Wit

New Blog New Blog

2008-11-08T22:30:00.002-05:00

After being hassled by Mike's friends, Mike and I have started a new old married bags blog. I will continue to post on here, but I can't guarantee I'll keep this one up. For now, you can enjoy both blogs full of witty posts.

Enjoy!

My Top 25 at the Moment

2008-11-07T23:51:00.002-05:00

To entice my readers back after my long absence, here is another post!

I was just looking at my top 25 most played songs on my itunes on my desktop. I think that its not totally accurate, as I think something of the Duke Spirit's Neptune should be on there. And Cold War Kids. But I dunno.

1. End of the Century -- Blur (43 times!)
2. I'm Shakin' -- Rooney (36)
3. Oxford Comma -- Vampire Weekend (34)
4. Wake Up -- Mezzanine Owls (30) (thanks corey!)
5. Subterranean Homesick Alien (unplugged) -- Radiohead (30)
6. Paint the Silence -- South (30) (that was during my OC obsession phase)
7. Unforgettable Season -- Cut Copy (29)
8. Far Away -- Cut Copy (29)
9. Time to Pretend -- MGMT (27)
10. Bryn -- Vampire Weekend (27)
11. Silver Thoughts -- Cut Copy (26)
12. Walcott -- Vampire Weekend (26)
13. Bodysnatchers -- Radiohead (25)
14. Campus -- Vampire Weekend (25)
15. Roundabout -- Axe Riverboy (24) (thanks again corey!)
16. House of Cards -- Radiohead (23)
17. Come Around -- Rhett Miller (23)
18. Midnight Runner -- Cut Copy (22)
19. Paranoid Android -- Radiohead (22)
20. She Moves in Her Own Way -- The Kooks (21)
21. Seaside -- The Kooks (21)
22. Subterranean Homesick Alien -- Radiohead (21)
23. You're a Wolf -- Sea Wolf (21)
24. Out There on the Ice Again -- Cut Copy (19)
25. Strangers in the Wind -- Cut Copy (18)

And after reviewing the list, I realized why its not entirely accurate. It's because my computer was in storage for 4 months. All of those songs were what was listening to in the spring. Most of them inspired by my husband and our first few months of dating. If you count both versions of subterranean homesick alien as one, that would be my number one song -- 50 times! That one was definitely inspired by my now husband. The first time I visited him in February at his house in Seattle and we were driving there from the airport, we drove down this long windy road to the water, and at the end of it was a sign "END OF COUNTY ROAD". I said to Mike "so you live on a country road, huh?" To which he replied with an outburst of laughter. Obviously I hadn't gotten enough sleep and couldn't read the sign well. Anyway, this became a joke between us and while listening to OK Computer over and over again between visits, we laughed at the aliens abducting the guy on a country lane late at night. We still have to steal that sign on his street.

Anyway, this summer I had the Duke Spirit on repeat, along with a lot more radiohead albums. And, as you can see, I listened to the whole second album of Cut Copy way too many times and I killed it. (I'm still looking for it on vinyl though, it is a must!)

Halloween, what?

2008-11-07T17:00:00.002-05:00

It was a little surreal being in Hawaii on my honeymoon on Halloween. Not that I get really excited for Halloween, but it is the first holiday in my favorite string of holidays. I usually try and plan a clever outfit, I usually go to at least one Halloween party, and I usually eat some (if not a lot) of Halloween candy. None of that happened this year. I spent a quiet night with my husband on Halloween, which was perfect. The North Shore got as crazy as we'd seen it, no big raging parties, but lots of scantily clad girls. My favorite part of Halloween are the kids outfits going trick or treating. I'm glad that I felt like I didn't totally miss out on Halloween because my sister sent me this picture of her kids.

This just makes me miss them more.

It's a FIRE...sale

2008-11-06T19:39:00.007-05:00

You know how I talked about restraining myself buying a ridiculously expensive bag that I really really wanted?

Well the day came when I got this in my mailbox:

And with a Nordstrom's gift card I've had for a while, I got this ridiculously expensive bag for a really reasonable price.

I am so excited to get it! Yay for sales!

head_explode.exe

2008-10-12T20:54:00.013-04:00

It's too late to apologize. I know.

I've been watching too much of this,

Working here,

Shopping here,

Watching this on DVD and DirecTV,

Neglecting this,

Spending too much money and time on this,

and dreaming of this....

and this....

...and looking forward to this....everyday.

Ode to Mike

2008-09-15T18:30:00.005-04:00

On this day of your birth, oh so many years ago, Michael William, I dedicate this blog post to you.

What can I really say that hasn't already been said?

You're everyone's friend. You're loyal. You're hilarious. You appreciate the beauty of the earth. You're incredibly smart (as evidenced by your crazy love for physics). You rock out. You know how to relax. You see the good in everyone. You are one of the kindest people I know.

You served as my airport ride service in Provo many times and never asked for anything in return. You have integrity. You smile all the time. You should have been born in the 60s or 70s (see rocking out). You're a music snob. You're a baseball lover. You love a clean kitchen. You are a master car packer. You are spiritual. You're a fast talker.

You're patient. You're a goofball (as am I). You're a nerd (I might rival your nerdiness). You're clearly a proud Seattleite and I love it. You love burgers, pizza, and mac n cheese (a true American). You love Brazil. You love apple products. You're always in a trend before it is a trend. You love biographies and WWII history. You can quote Arrested Development like nobody's business. You're a swimmer. You were my defensive coordinator for my flag football team in college.

You are so loving. Thanks for being my everything.

Paris Now

2008-09-11T09:40:00.002-04:00

I really need to buy a ticket now to go see this.

Picking and Choosing

2008-09-10T10:25:00.002-04:00

Someone once told me that when they bought an album, they just picked and chose songs they liked, and then either deleted the rest (!) or put them on an extra HD. I've had a couple of sampling CDs from this person, and it has driven me crazy that I've gotten 3 songs off of an album because the person had stored only those 3 songs on their computer. When I get to know a band, I must listen to their whole album. The record companies are complaining about the decline of the album and rise of the single, but really it's their own fault. That's how I grew up with music -- listening to singles on the radio and then going to Tower to buy the album. I often didn't even listen to the whole album (I was in middle school, so no judging). Only later when I was more mature did I realize that bands still make albums for a reason. Maybe I'm not crazy about every single song on an album, but it's still worth a listen.

My favorite albums are ones that have cohesiveness, like they did back in the day. Bands don't have any depth when they have one hit singles. Sorry.

This

2008-09-10T00:41:00.004-04:00

would make an awesome wedding present.

I'm just sayin.

Sharing

2008-09-06T15:28:00.002-04:00

Why does my conditioner smell better in Mike's hair?

Simple Pleasures

2008-09-03T13:05:00.003-04:00

I was thinking today how I really love the small simple pleasures in life. I think I get caught up in shopping for clothes & shoes (its in my genes, what can I say) and I have way too many possessions but I have a goal to be better (I've had this goal for a while, but nothing ever came from it). I know that more things doesn't make me more happy, especially when I move often. With a couple more moves in sight, I have a goal to give away more, buy less. I'm pretty good at cleaning out my closet, but I know even more things can go. My shopping tends to go in cycles....when I don't have much to do, I shop more. When I'm super busy, I don't have the time. Now is one of the busy cycles so I'm predicting less shopping.

Anyway, some of the simple pleasures I was thinking about in bed last night when I couldn't sleep. (by the way, I think I have an aversion to east coast time, I never got back on it in the spring with all my traveling and going to CA and I certainly can't fall asleep until at least 2 am right now, even though I'm exhausted)

Clean Sheets
Dr. Pepper Lip Smackers
A shower when you really need it
Laying out in the sunshine
Porch swings
Big gulps -- nice and cold
Flip Flops
Reading outside
The internets and all of its joys
Good friends that are there when you really need it
the roar of fenway
baseball in general -- going to baseball games, hot dogs, watching games on TV
An in and out burger fresh off the grill
a crisp salad
A swiffered floor
New shower curtains
The smell of cleaning supplies
Funfetti cupcakes
Time with nieces and nephews (really priceless)
Quotes from my nieces and nephew
A clean house
New music recommended from a friend
Family traditions
Limeade
Air conditioning
The smell of pavement just after it rained
New knowledge
A wendy's frosty
football
new pens
tall glass of ice cold water
a good run
good smelling shampoo
Mike's dimples
home grown tomatoes
bubble wrap
espn.com
nail polish
the mountains in UT
the water in seattle
the golden hills off 280
Mike's love notes
Scriptures & Prayer

I think that's a pretty good start.

Whoa whoa whoa

2008-08-21T18:17:00.004-04:00

August is almost over. What?

I haven't blogged for 3 weeks. What?

I'm moving back to Boston in a little over a week. What?

Did this summer just fly by? Yes.

I'm sorry to disappoint you blog readers. I have asked so much of your blogs and you've carried me through many times when I had nothing to do at work. Thanks for your dedication. So here's a post for you. I've had a lot of ideas for blogs bouncing around in my head but nothing that really materialized.

I've had a couple weeks to chill out here in Seattle. While I have been doing very little, I actually have been getting some important things done. Mike and I set a new date, which then of course involves getting everything started back up again wedding-wise (I'm not so happy about all of the extra work and stress that brings into my life, but I'm quite excited at the same time). I went to Utah with Mike's family to drop Mike's brother off at the MTC. I went to an amazing Radiohead concert last night. I had dinner with an old middle school friend who I hadn't seen in years. We giggled a lot about the old days and what a spaz I was. She told stories that I didn't remember at all. Mike commented, "you know, not a lot has changed..." Tangent: Something quite hilarious that was brought up was that I was on drill team in high school my sophomore year (I know haha) and we had an invitational at Mike's high school. Mike said he would have been there at the same time at swim practice on that particular Saturday in December. I had completely forgotten about it. I was 15 and my first boyfriend was coming to the invitational (we weren't official yet, not until I was 16) and I was so nervous. I think its incredible that 10 years later I still remember how nervous I was that he was coming to the drill invitational. And little did I know Mike was there too.

I've had developed kind of a nasty habit -- playing solitaire. I downloaded the free version from the iPhone app store. I think it might have been a bad idea. I confess I have played over 800 games in a week. I signed up for netflix and received my first 3 movies in the mail. Mike and I watched Strictly Ballroom and half of Raising Arizona. We still need to watch Persepolis. I've watched the Olympics every single night and I've been avoiding ESPN.com during the day as to not spoil the results for me. I've had time to watch a couple of old reruns of the OC on the SOAPnet channel and Gilmore Girls on ABC Family. I've gotten through a little chunk of Crossing to Safety and I'm absolutely loving it. I went to the Seahawks pre-season game on Saturday. We scored awesome seats thanks to a friend who does the Seagals makeup. NFL games bring out a totally different sports crowd than any other major league sports event. We had a good time laughing at the makeup and costumes. I've had Mac n Cheese and Dick's Deluxes too many times to count. I've been constantly looking for a room for Mike to rent in Boston for a couple months. No dice yet, but hopefully soon. I got the cutest fleur de lys skirt at Club Monaco. I shopped the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and got one of Mike's sisters handbags for a good price. Did I ever mention that Mike's sister designs all of the Nordstrom brand handbags? Yeah. I've been trying to hold off from buying a L.A.M.B. tote that I have convinced myself that I must have. I have a gift card to Nordstrom that would cover most of it...but I'm trying to be good. I've had Chinese food with Mike's grandma who doesn't speak any English and made myself look really American by putting soy sauce directly on my rice. I went to IHOP for breakfast one morning with Mike when we were out of cereal. I ordered my usual when I'm at IHOP -- chocolate chip pancakes. The waitress told me it was her favorite too and then brought out the pancakes with a mountain of whipped cream. It was heavenly. I got my first bill from AT&T for our family plan with iphones. Turns out the Apple store people were even more incompetant than I thought. They signed Mike and I up for two separate plans instead of the family plan, making the bill twice as much. AT&T is lame. But the iphone is awesome.

I think I've about updated you as to what I have been up to. As much as I want to go back to Boston, I'm torn. There's so much to do in the next couple of months and I'm really enjoying my semi-lounging life I've had for the last 2 weeks. Once again to the land of paying for laundry, food & parking, homework, cold Eastern air, the sun disappearing way too early in the day, and moving all of my loads of crap to yet another Boston apartment (4 for 4 folks). I am looking forward to the red sox being on everyday as opposed to only nationally televised games, fall crispness and gorgeous September that is Boston, being across the street from Fenway, rejoicing with friends, the joy of being on EST and reuniting with my Jeep.

Here's a gem for you. A photo filled with some of the people I love most in this world.

I know I'm biased, but I really do have the cutest nieces and nephews. I'm really glad they adore Mike.

Crayons

2008-07-31T14:27:00.002-04:00

For some odd reason, this video popped into my head this morning between getting ready and giggling with Mike. It's such a classic.

Thank you YouTube.

Seattle for July

2008-07-30T00:31:00.009-04:00

Mike came down to California every weekend in June. So July was time for me to come up every weekend (and for a good week). After Mike and I got iphones on July 11th I've had a good time taking pictures of our Seattle adventures. I feel a lot less awkward breaking out my iphone and taking a pic than my real camera (although I have some on that too). Btw, just in case you were wondering, I love my iphone. I know you've heard all your friends that have them talk about how much they love them, but I really do. A lot. I didn't know I could love a phone.

Mike and I took a ferry ride and ate dinner on it. I love the ferries of Seattle. July 11th. First day of iphone bliss.

This is pretty much the view from Mike's house (but you get to see more of the mountains where he is).

Next day: Seattle adventures. Mike is my favorite person to photograph. He always pulls a new face.

Second visit to Trophy cupcakes. Still not in love but I haven't tried the S'more cupcake, and they will do while I'm away from Lulu's, Sprinkles and Kara's.

Dick's. Quite possibly my favorite burger chain ever. The best part about last weekend 's visit (this cup was from a couple weeks ag0) was that I had an in-and-out burger right before I got on the plane to Seattle, and then after I landed we went to Dick's for a Dick's Deluxe.

Reason No. 524 why I love him. He's had this turtle up on his rearview mirror ever since I've known him. Donatello is awesome.

Self-portraits don't always turn out awesome. Does this even look like me? I look like I have bangs.

My favorite carwash sign since I was a kid.

A bonus during the car ride.

An awesome bookstore in downtown Seattle.

I love book stores like this.

They were cones! See what I mean about the faces he pulls? Never a dull photography moment.

God bless America. And how awesome are Virgin America's wing tips?

I think he looks like Guy Smiley in this one.

A Seattle classic. The first. The original.

I was so happy to find out they have a Buffalo exchange in the U-district. Mike found this awesome Nike Jacket. Too bad it was one size too small. But we found him other treasures. After that we saw this awesome piece of cinema. Clever and pretty.

Reason No. 323 why I love my iphone. It lead me to this glorious place of business when I was in dire need of a big gulp.

Mike's brother is selling his Porshe so we took it out for a spin.

Saturday was a lazy Saturday and we loved it. After months of jam-packed weekends full of wedding plans and going places, we needed a day with no particular plans at all. We slept in, giggled in the morning, went to IHOP for some delicious chocolate chip pancakes and stuffed french toast. Then we parked it on the couch, watching baseball, playing guitar hero, and introducing Mike to the wonderful world of 30 ROCK. We only left the house for food. It was really lazy and of course, super awesome.

And just to make sure I had a great weekend, I took Monday off too. I didn't really feel like getting up at 5 AM to catch my flight in the morning. So I played with this guy instead.

Oh the joys of an iphone camera. Phew. Long post. Just trying to make up for lost time.

Breather

2008-07-16T17:58:00.005-04:00

It was SO nice to go to Seattle for 10 days and take a step back from all the madness. Mike and I decided to move the wedding back and have some more time. Everything's okay, we just need some more time. I feel so good about this decision. Thanks for all your support!

The 4th of July was so fun with Mike's family. Hooray for fireworks, something that I didn't get to play with when I was growing up except for our short stint in WA. Boo on California for being too dry to blow stuff up! Mike's brother got these huge fireworks that were super loud and almost professional sized. They were fun. It was the first fourth in a long time that I've been sick. That wasn't too fun but it didn't damper the fun much at all.

Here's some pictures from the 4th. I have some more fun ones from the week from my iphone which I'll figure out how to upload later. (which is a whole other story, but I LOVE it and so glad I got one!)

Wedding Planning...mah

2008-07-02T00:58:00.003-04:00

I can't really emphasize enough about how wedding planning has taken over my life. It's true. I'm not high maintenance about anything and my mom gets on my case for "being too laid back" about the whole thing, but really there are some things I care about it, and others I don't. I'm glad that I've come a long way from "I have no idea what flowers I want" and "I have to choose a cake design?" to "I'd like this...this...and this..." When meeting with a caterer today he mentioned how I was so laid back and chill and didn't seem intense about anything. It's true. I think I'm a bridechilla. The only problem with being bridechilla is that I think I still have a lot left to do, and I'm kind of sick of looking at things and talking to people. So, for the sake of my sanity....I'm typing out a list of "to do" for the wedding so I can check things off, one by one. I saw this on someone's blog the other day and it inspired this post.

Here we go.

*Sign band contract and return, put down deposit, get band play list and choose songs
*Choose caterer by attending a last tasting tomorrow and telling the rest of the caterers "no thanks" (plus I need to go over the final contract and make sure everything is in there) and ask for references...
*Figure out a lighting company to help with lighting
*Look into dance floors
*Once flower proposal comes in, review and pick a florist (I haven't done this yet either!)
*Order favors (I already know what I want, so that's good)
*Rent a classic car for the "getaway car" (I'm thinking 1957 Bel-Air, one of my favorite cars ever made)
*Stuff wedding envelopes and assemble the whole package and figure out postage
*Finish addressing invitations
*Get picture printed
*Make sure bridesmaid dresses are fitting
*Get my own fitting for my dress
*Make sure Mike's tux is in
*Figure out what groomsmen will wear -- tuxes or black suits? I can't decide.
*Meet with photographer
*Find someone to do my makeup/hair
*Figure out flight/hotel for a friend
*Order special surprise for guests (it's going to be fun!)
*Buy airplane tickets for August (up to Seattle a couple times and out to UT)
*Help my sister with flower girl dresses
*Choose final cake flavors

I think that's it...

I have a long way to go...

It's kind of a good thing I have a month and some change. But at the same time I wish I was eloping and getting married tomorrow!

Video Chat

2008-06-24T01:45:00.005-04:00

Dear Apple,

Thank you for inventing video chat and putting it with ichat and putting it on all of your Leopard operating system computers. I love you for installing cameras on all your computers. I don't know how Mike and I would have made it through all this long distance stuff without it.

Thanks also for the snapshot feature so I can take pictures of Mike anytime I please.

Sincerely,

Whitney

And I include some of my favorites taken on my laptop:

An Update. Kind of.

2008-06-16T01:00:00.005-04:00

I can't think of much to write about. Same ole, same ole around here. I'm continuing the busyness of wedding planning, I see Mike every weekend (which totally blows and got old about a month ago), I've been enjoying the Celtics-Lakers match up, because not only have I ALWAYS hated the lakers, I love the Celtics oh so much. Things are pretty stressful and I've thought a few times about eloping. I think it might be a pretty awesome idea.

I decided since I dont have much to write about and I'm pretty tired I'd post some recent pics.

This is what happens when you tease your fiance about his flirting skills he tried on you for the past 5 years when you were just friends.

You might just get the whole couch piled on top of you. I had to dig myself out. Not before much laughter had passed. And obligatory picture taking.

I figured I should put up some graduation pictures. Here's me being silly for my family. I pretty much made faces at them the whole time.

This is my ridiculously large diploma. Man I'm glad I went to law school.

And yes, I look not as ridiculous as when I'm with my other graduating friends with the silly hats. The hoods were cool though. But I'm glad graduation was short (ish).

Last weekend I got a pleasant surprise from Mike, my ring finally came in.

After I picked him up from Salt Lake airport and gave me the ring, we booked it straight to Hire's and made it just in time.

Hires was "our place" in Salt Lake in undergrad. Everytime we saw a show in Salt Lake or we went skiing and then to my sisters or really any chance we got we went to Hires. I'm glad we got there at 12:20, just before they closed at 12:30. The kitchen was super happy to make us some Big H's (not really). But nevertheless, they were delicious.

No sooner than 20 mins after receiving my ring, I got some burger grease on it. Good thing we got lots of free jewelry cleaner from the jeweler. That ring won't stay shiny for long!

Other fun things from last weekend: Niece and nephew playing, Provo BBQ and hanging with Mike's friends, and general nice family time.

I promise the next post won't be so lame. Maybe.

Reminiscing

2008-06-07T01:29:00.002-04:00

On my flight to UT on jetblue Bravo was playing this gem.

I couldn't have been happier. I used to watch clueless everyday in middle school. Every. Day. I hadn't seen it in so long and I found it just as funny. Too bad my flight was only 2 hours.

Busy Busy Busy

2008-06-04T14:46:00.003-04:00

No reallys. I looked at the last time I posted and I'm embarassed.

I was telling Mike last night on the phone that I feel like I've been continually tired since April. This whole getting engaged, law school finals, graduating, traveling almost every weekend, packing up all my stuff and moving, starting work, wedding planning in my spare time thing has pretty much sucked the life out of me. The good thing is I decided to clear one thing off my plate and take the bar in February instead of July. (I really don't know how I thought I could do everything, but alas, that's me).

My mom and I are up to our ears with ideas, things we need to do, choices to make, and vendors to call. This is one of those things where you think it's pretty manageable and as you make more and more choices you realize just how big of a project it is. I keep telling my mom I'd be happy with a cupcake party and a band. Maybe that's what Mike and I will end up with. :D

A post that I imagined in my head about a week ago was lamenting growing up and being more responsible. On my facebook profile I've had my one activity listed as "avoiding responsibility" for about 5 years now. Registering for wedding gifts I think is one of the "I'm growing up" signs. I have to say I was pretty excited to pick a china pattern and pick out silverware that actually matches (well I have 3 spoons, 4 forks, and 4 knives to my name). But something that Mike and I laughed about for a good half an hour was adding a bag of cheetos to our registry. I'm so glad Mike is as silly as I am.

I promise to keep y'all more updated. Next weekend: the great state of UT. I can't wait for my neices to jump all over Mike. And I get to meet my new nephew!

And here's a pic of Mike and I from last weekend on Lake Washington. Seattle is really gorgeous when the sun is out (and when its not, for those 10 months out of the year, its still pretty).

Running Thoughts

2008-05-06T01:17:00.005-04:00

I went on an awesome run today. It was nice spring weather, a little chilly but perfect running temperature. The thing that I hate about warmer weather in boston is all of the people out on the Charles. I know that is a really "bah hambug" comment, but when you're used to having the Charles all to yourself from October-March its hard to share when the weather gets warm. I now have to dodge people and be careful I'm not going to trip over your dog's leash or your little kid. It's a rough life, I know.

I've had a lot of little things I wanted to blog about, and I wanted to write this post as soon as I got back, but here I am, at 1:21 in the morning still chatting with Mike via video chat. So I"m going to borrow a phrase from my friend Natalie. Here goes a brain dump.

First of all, Gossip Girl took a turn for the worse tonight. I just don't know how I feel about it. I hate it when you get slightly attached to characters on TV shows (or greatly attached to some...Ryan Atwood *cough*) and then they let you down and turn out to be someone you REALLY don't want them to be. Serena, RIP.
Mike and I have been going to town on food every time he comes out. One of the things I love about him is how much he loves food. I introduced him to Mike's Pastry a couple of weeks ago when he was out and we bought a huge box full of pastries. I went back this past week after my dentist appointment to get more pastries. And my hometeachers introduced me to Lulu's and it's been downhill from there. Lulu's is just down the street from Mikes. So Mike and I had an awesome supply of cannolis, pistachio macaroons, and cupcakes for our little road trip down to NY.
Yankee stadium is GROSS. I know now why they are tearing that sucker down. It is so dirty there is like puke on the walls. I'm not joking. And I'm still convinced that Yankee fans are the classiest fans in MLB. And my classiest, I mean not classy at all
I stopped at Flour today, another Boston bakery, this one in the South End, right by BU med campus. I was coming back from giving a presentation for my MPH graduation requirements, which is a whole other story, but I decided to finally check out Flour since I drive by it almost every week. I was going to get a cupcake or pastry, but I ODed from this last weekend. I had a tasty chicken sammich with spicy avocado spread.
I love New York, but I'd never want to live there for a long period of time. Fun to visit though.
What is with female fans of Clay Aiken? Don't you know he's gay? Seriously.
I wish I would have been one of those girls that had a picture of what she wanted her wedding reception to look like. I think it would make thinking about cakes and colors and bridesmaid dresses and table settings etc.
Thank you Celtics for restoring some faith. I mean seriously, you have to win this one. I don't know how it feels to have a team I love win an NBA championship. The Sonics broke my heart oh so long ago and I've never been attached to any team as much as you this year. Please don't mess this up.
Dear Apple, Thank you so much for video chat. It helps a lot when Mike leaves. Sincerely, Whitney
I can't believe how fast the past two months have gone. At the same time, I feel like I've been engaged for so long and it has only been a month.
I have a pigeon on my window sill, right right outside my window. I saw that it had laid some eggs. I think this is bad b/c last summer a pigeon laid eggs and they hatched and then the babies died and it just made one big mess right outside my window. I'm glad I never witnessed it. I felt kind of bad for it when it was sitting in the pouring rain for a few days because I'm planning on smashing it's eggs. Is that mean? I mean, John Henry did it to get rid of the Hawk's nest at Fenway and said "the eggs weren't viable". Here's photo proof of the poor sucker.

I want to be a curator some day. Like really. I love paintings.
Diner food is my favorite. I think because its comfort food and it reminds me of my childhood.
MarioKart of Wii is insanely awesome. MarioKart has always been my favorite video game of all time -- both SNES and N64 versions, so when I saw it was coming to the Wii I almost peed my pants. I picked it up and Thursday and its a blast. So much so I'm packing up my Wii and brining it to Seattle for the weekend.
Mike and I see Minus the Bear in Seattle on Thursday. I really can't wait.
Katie and I see Cut Copy in Boston on Monday. I really can't wait.
Corey and I see The Kooks in Los Angeles in two Mondays. I really can't wait.
I can't believe I have to pack up my room and so soon. This is all happening too fast.
August can't come soon enough.
I love finding old t-shirts that I used to love wearing and have started wearing again.
I never get sick of Pretty in Pink. I ordered it on DVD last week. Such a good purchase.
I love buying stuff on vinyl now. Mike gave me a portable record player that I LOVE.
It's been too long since I have written a long blog.
I have a lot of M&A to learn tomorrow. A lot.
I love burritos.
I can't wait to live in SF.
I'm not looking forward to studying for the bar.
Going back to packing, I realized how complicated it's really going to be. I'm going to bring out some clothes to Seattle on Wednesday. I have some spring/summer clothes already in CA. I pretty much have to coordinate and think about what I want in CA, what I want in Seattle, and what will stay in boston. And then I'll leave some clothes in CA after the summer. Its just all complicated. But you probably understand all that.
I got my cap and gown a couple days ago. Apparently when you graduate from law school they want to make you look even more like a dork than you did when you graduated from undergrad. The whole robe is ridiculous with HUGE sleeves and you have to wear a funny beret looking thing. It's all quite comical, just ask Mike who had me try it on.
My ends are so dry and split its just driving me crazy. I need a hair cut pronto.
My allergies have been acting up. I didn't even know I had allergies until this spring.
American Idol is becoming a snore bore. I dont know if I even want to watch tomorrow. But you know I will.
Speaking of snore bores, I watched the Office today from last thursday. How lame is it getting? So lame.
And speaking of NOT being a snore bore, I am loving 30 rock these days. And I just saw baby mama for the second time with Mike. So hilarious.
I miss my beacon hill apartment sometimes. I love how close I was to the public garden. The tulips are out right now and are so pretty.
I'm going to steal Rachel's dog pepper. seriously.

Here's a pic of Mike and I at Yankee stadium, freezing our butts off. Can you tell my hat is too big for my head?

Mike.

Mike and Mao at the Met.

Motivation

2008-05-01T03:03:00.002-04:00

So in the last 48 hours I wrote 35 pages for 2 different papers. My brain was absolute mush last night and I had gotten little sleep all weekend. Today I took a breather which I really shouldn't have. Plus I'm dealing with a whole lot of other stuff that I didn't have time to deal with. I was kind of a wreck emotionally today and didn't start studying for my final that is in 6 1/2 hours until 12 AM.

It's closed book and its a lot of information. I think I'm kind of screwed. But here I am, blogging and facebooking instead of studying. I don't quite understand. I know I need to pass to graduate but I'm not even in panic mode right now.

What is going on?

I know its hard to fail a law school test. But really, I need to get my butt in gear if I want to pass this test. 6 1/2 hours until go time...yikes.

My Cupcake

2008-04-27T00:37:00.002-04:00

I meant to post this a while ago. My dear friend Natalie hosted an amazing cupcake party in my unfortunate absence, but she made this cupcake, especially for me. Hurray for Natalie!

I also wanted to thank my dear friend Katie for cheering up my day by showing up with goodies in my last minute paper writing trial! (I'm so behind, this is going to require a miracle to pull this off). Thanks Katie!

I have some pretty amazing friends.

Nom Nom Nom

2008-04-26T23:03:00.002-04:00

Hello Beautiful

2008-04-22T22:46:00.006-04:00

After a great weekend in San Francisco I walked home with my suitcase and new record player in hand and these greeted me.

The winter here really does make you appreciate the spring so much more. I'm not saying that I won't love living in Northern California but I have learned through 3 long cold Boston winters that you learn to appreciate the blooming trees the second they start to open.

It was super windy in SF but Mike and I managed to take ONE picture the whole weekend. I think it's pretty cute although our hair is a mess. I'm glad Mike approves of SF (it was his first time there this weekend!).

Topsy Turvy

2008-04-15T00:01:00.002-04:00

Starting in February with going out to visit Mike, the whole Australia vacation, dating one of my best friends, getting engaged, and trying really hard not to fail out of law school, I've felt a little like my world has been turned upside down. It's really fun to watch some of your well-laid plans go by the wayside in a couple months. (And by well-laid plans, I'm really not changing much. Its just the whole idea of being married and leaving the singles ward) I'm not saying this is a bad thing, au contraire, I couldn't be happier but the whole experience is a little surreal. Things have been moving so fast that I've enjoyed some downtime to go back and analyze how I got to this point. The whole process is a miracle in my life.

I just have to say that Heavenly Father knows exactly what is going on in our lives, and He does watch over us and He does have a plan for us. There a million little spiritual experiences I've had over the last year or so that have added up to something big. And I've had the "a-ha" moment so many times in the past month I can't even keep track of it. I have always had a testimony that Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers, but I'm so grateful that He's let me have so many spiritual experiences that testify of that too. I have relished the chance to go back in my life and see how He's watched over me and even through the trials I've been given that I see how much He loves me and loves all of His children. I know the Lord's timing is the best and I couldn't be more grateful to Him for letting me see that in my own life.

I'm so thankful my world has been turned upside down. It's awesome to see it from a whole different perspective in a matter of months.

This is cute. You'll enjoy this.

2008-04-09T01:07:00.004-04:00

http://theyreinvisible.blogspot.com/2008/04/shes-in-my-eyes-she-is-in-my-ears-shes.html

A condensed "our story" told from Mike's perspective. Enjoy.

Where's Whitney

2008-04-08T23:42:00.001-04:00

Can you find me?

P.S. Opening day was amazing. Amazing.

Fierce

2008-04-02T08:57:00.000-04:00

It gets funny once Tim shows up. Oh and Heidi too. Wait for it, wait for it.

I miss PR already. Good thing I'll get my fashion fix with Gossip Girl when it returns. Simply can't wait.

You asked for it

2008-03-27T14:46:00.012-04:00

And I'm delivering. From facebook profile pictures and gchat icons, you've probably figured it out already. And you've asked for more pictures.

Just a little background. He and I have been friends for 5 years. I was a little 19 year old and he was fresh off the mish. We were in the same ward and instantly bonded over Dicks (best burger chain..in Seattle), the Beatles, Big Gulps (which I thought I didn't develop a deep love for until law school, but he set me straight), late night Taco Bell runs, and a great love for the NCAA basketball tournament that we went to watch the first and second rounds up at the U. We got be closer friends for the next three years with him introducing me to Minus the Bear, going to see the Strokes, buying a megaphone and harassing people in Provo, and skipping school to track out fresh powder at Snowbird. (He's a snowboarder but I can forgive him, he can still repent).

We've stayed in touch via this great thing called gchat since I moved to Boston. I also saw him every time I visited my sister in Salt Lake. After all these years of keeping in touch and promising I'd visit him in Seattle, I finally booked a ticket to Seattle for Presidents Weekend. Well...it took us 5 years, but we're officially together and I couldn't be happier.

Here are some pictures from last weekend.

Hope you get to meet him!

Aussieland

2008-03-19T21:15:00.024-04:00

Campaign

2008-03-17T18:08:00.002-04:00

If I could get you all to move here to Sydney, I would NEVER come back.

Now I just need to start this campaign to get you to move here. It is really great. I promise.

My last morning in Sydney...so bittersweet. I'm definitely coming back here some day. Mark my words.

Sydney

2008-03-09T08:44:00.002-04:00

I've only been here 2 days, but this city is dangerously close to being in my top 5 favorite cities of all time.

It is stunningly beautiful, the people are nice, and its 80 degrees here. Not to mention the amazing beaches on the coast.

It was worth the 20 hour flight. I'll post pics at some point. (maybe)

Spring Fever

2008-03-04T11:43:00.004-05:00

Spring Fever always hits me early (mid-Feb), especially when I'm living on a Boston time table. Spring is my favorite season because of Easter, my birthday, cute jackets to wear and fun shoes, and the return of color to a brown winter. I also have a special place in my heart for March Madness (my favorite sports event during the whole year!) and cadbury mini-eggs.

The problem with Boston is that we really don't have a spring at all. It might be spring for about a week, tops. We transition from winter to summer in a matter of days. But that didn't stop me from buying these last week. I can't wait to wear them (it just might have to wait a good month or so).

Its about...time

2008-02-26T20:22:00.002-05:00

I've been thinking about this blog post for about a year (at various points in time during a year, not every consecutive second during a year, I think about a lot of other stuff too you know). I wanted to make a list of my top5 favorite live shows I've ever seen. Everytime I thought about a great concert, I wanted to blog about it. Today during my run I thought...I should finally write about this and post it.

Sorry I can't quite narrow it to a top 5. I'll give you a list of all of my favorites in order. The ranking rubric isn't exactly scientific, but I took into account venue, stage presence, set list, how much I listened to the album before the show, audience, people I went to the show with, interactions with the band, personality, opening bands, lighting, how many times I took out my earplug to hear the true sound of guitars, and how elated I was after the show.

15. Weezer. E-Center. September 01. Right after the green album came out and my freshman year at BYU. My one and only time seeing them. Venue wasn't great, but I still had fun.
14. Eve 6. X96 show. Sept. 04. My one and only time seeing one of my favorite bands from high school. I still think Horrorscope is incredible. Although it was outside and there were a lot of people, it was still great to see them live.
13. My Morning Jacket. Avalon. Dec. 06. Rocked a long set.
12. U2 Popmart Tour. Kingdome. Dec. 98 (I think...) A sight to behold. Truly.
11. Matt Pond PA/Dios Malos. Paradise. Feb. (maybe) 06. It wasn't crowded and Matt Pond PA was personable and great to hear live.
10. Broken Social Scene. Avalon. Nov. 05. At one point they had 8 guitars at once. Simply amazing. Stars and Sons live was definitely the highlight.
9. Nada Surf. Oct. 05. Paradise. Shortly after moving to Boston, one of the first concerts I went to at Paradise. I was so obsessed with The Weight is a Gift, I had it on repeat for weeks before and after the show.
8. U2 Elevation Tour. Salt Lake City Delta Center. Oct. 01. After 9/11, it changed the show. I saw them in San Jose in May 01. I had floor tickets and saw Bono up close. Pretty much a childhood dream. I was also on the local news because I camped out to get inside the "heart".
7. Rogue Wave. I went by myself and after a high from the red sox parade day, it was a perfect way to end a perfect day. It wasn't crowded and to hear them live gave me the chills.
6. Minus the Bear. Middle East. October 05. I went by myself and got there way early to get a spot right in the front. After standing there for 4 hours Minus came on. It was right after Menos El Oso came out, and I knew the words to every song they played. I was about the only person in the crowd that knew every song. I think the band was a tad weirded out. Mostly because I was front and center. Got a setlist after and really couldn't have been happier. (there have now been a bunch of times I've seen Minus, and I still love the 2 i've included in this list the most)
5. LCD Soundsystem. Lollapalooza. Aug. 07. Didn't love their album before, but live they turned it into a masterpiece. I've never seen so many people dancing.
4. Snow Patrol. Paradise. March 06. Before the official tour, they played a couple random concerts before Eyes Open was officially released. I don't think I've ever loved a band so much. (too bad they sounded horrible the second time around, 6 months later at a horrible venue with horrible fans. it was all just really horrible. plus they got way too much radioplay for chasing cars, which I really can't stand)
3. The Strokes. In the Venue. Winter 04. Right after Room on Fire came out. Mike and I fought our way to the front. They played Reptilla and it was crazy. (I can't really describe the feeling...I think this is a common theme here.) It took me a while to come down off the concert high after this one. The lighting for Strokes shows in incredible. And I love their stage presence.
2. Minus the Bear. Kilby Court. Spring 04. First time I saw them in concert. (I've seen them 4 times since) Before Menos El Oso came out. They played Drilling before it came out and it was one of my favorite songs I've ever heard live. Ever. And I got a drum stick afterwards.
1. Cold War Kids. Middle East. March 07. Nuts. Crazy energy. Amazing vocals. 10 people to help out with percussion on St. Johns. Tell me in the Morning and Rubidoux have never sounded that good. The crowd was great. I can't even really describe it.

And there is one band that I must see live before I die. Radiohead. I'm pretty sure they'll knock someone out of the top 10, even if I see them in a big venue.

UPDATE: I totally forgot to add BECK. San Jose Arts Center. July 05. He started out with guitar, went to percussion, and played everything in between. LOVED him. And he had some really clever sets. It was shortly after Guero came out which is still one of my favorite albums of his. I just love him. I guess I would place this concert in between 6 & 7. Although its a tough call...

Watch Out, Montreal

2008-02-26T11:43:00.003-05:00

Whitney & Whitney in Boston are going to bust out on the scene.

My roommate brought back her brother's guitar and we both got all giddy about it although neither one of us know anything about playing it. I felt like we were little kids opening up a christmas present and then going "so now what?"

We went to plug the amp in but found that the washer on the outside of the plug somehow fell off. After fixing the part where you plug the amp in, we were back in business. After some amazing power chords, we both realized that the guitar was completely out of tune.

Next step, tuning the guitar.

Whitney also stole a tuner. I had no idea what we were doing. With the online help of my friend Mike, we used Garage Band to try and tune it. Here's us holding up the guitar close to the mic so we could figure out what needed to be tightened up. Turns out the tuner on Garage Band is not all that great, but I think we got it pretty close.

Now we just need to figure out how to play some songs.

And I think we already have the cover to our debut album.

Dancin' with Myself

2008-02-25T13:49:00.003-05:00

My inbox for text messages is ALWAYS full. My inbox currently lets me keep 56 of them at a time. I hate deleting text messages that are witty, funny, or commemorate an important event (or ones from cute boys). When you send me a text message, 95% of the time my inbox is full and I have to go through my list and figure out which text message I can let go of in order to see yours. I have sometimes missed text messages because my inbox was full (last month my brother was waiting at Logan airport for 30 minutes because I didn't get his text that he had landed).

I got a random text message from my friend Corey last month that said, "let's sink another drink, cuz it'll give me time to think ... maybe the best song ever" I've kept that one for a while, and I will probably continue to hold on to it.

I never get sick of that song. And its one of the most fun to dance to. And now that I'm writing a rough draft of a paper that I really dont care about, I think I'll listen to it over and over again this afternoon.

Go Go Gadget

2008-02-22T09:46:00.005-05:00

I love my mac.

I've been known to surf the internet for hours at a time and get lost in a particular musical album (recently its been Radiohead and Sea Wolf).

My roommate sent me an email the other day telling me that walking into my room seeing me at my computer reminded her of this.

I think that's pretty accurate.
Maybe I should start thinking about getting a cat and trying to take over the world.

Indy

2008-02-20T00:43:00.000-05:00

How awesome is this going to be?

Rookie Mistake

2008-02-19T23:54:00.002-05:00

Today was a 12 mile day for marathon training. I got back from Seattle this morning at 620. I slept from 830-1230 and went out at 2. I should have probably eaten something more than a bowl of honey nut cheerios before I went out.

The weather was beautiful, a little windy, but I didn't have to wear my gloves, big coat, and beanie.
The one thing I kind of spaced...water. I didn't bring any money nor did I carry any water nor did I plan where I was going to get water along the Charles. I ran 11 miles a couple weeks ago and I didn't feel like I was going to die without any water.

Today was a little different. Towards the end the only thing I could think about was a tall cold glass of water. At the very end I thought I was going to die without drinking something. Thankfully I didn't pass out.

I told my friend Katie about all this on the phone a couple hours after it happened. She summed it up pretty well by saying, "rookie mistake".

TV on DVD

2008-02-09T14:52:00.000-05:00

This writer's strike has been good for me. Well, maybe its been bad for me. But my eyes are being opened to shows that I missed a long time ago. I now have a list of TV shows I want to watch on DVD. The whole writers going back to work might throw my plan off a bit.

1. Currently on The OC. (season 2) Still loving it.

2. Veronica Mars

3. Alias

4. Gilmore Girls (I watched for about a season)

5. My So-Called Life

6. Freaks and Geeks

7. Felicity

Any other suggestions so we can make this a perfect 10?

And you thought I was going to law school....

U2 in 3D.

2008-02-07T00:23:00.000-05:00

Tonight I went to U2 3D at the IMAX in Natick. From the moment I sat down I was a little overwhelmed with the bass rumbling my seat and Bono in my face belting at me with what voice he has left on Vertigo, which isn't even close to one of their best. That didn't keep me from getting chills when Pride started. Or when the With or Without You baseline reverberated through my seat.

I've loved U2 since I was 8. Achtung Baby had just been released and my brother would blast it in his room while I danced around to Mysterious Ways. I expressed my love for them in the 4th grade by writing all of their lyrics all over my notebooks. I was a bit obsessed. I fell in love with The Unforgettable Fire, Boy, War, and Joshua Tree in the 5th grade when we moved to Seattle. When Sunday Bloody Sunday started during the movie, I was taken back to the summer after fifth grade when my brother and I went to the George Karl basketball camp for week in Tacoma. We listened to Sunday Bloody Sunday everyday driving 45 mins to camp and back. I turned to Cam and asked him if he remembered that when they started playing Sunday Bloody Sunday. He laughed and smiled.

In fact, my first concert was a U2 concert. I went to the spectacle that was Popmart when I was a freshman in high school. It was at the kingdome and incredible. Little did I know that a few years later I would see them close up and more personal.

All That You Can't Leave Behind came out when I was a senior in high school. Although I loved Pop, it just wasn't the same U2 that I knew and loved. Coming off a 3 year hiatus I was hungry for more U2. I listened to that CD over and over again and fell in love with it. I went to 2 concerts on the Elevation tour -- once in San Jose and the other in 2001 in Salt Lake when I was a freshman in college. I joined a Yahoo group specifically tailored to U2 concert info to figure out how to get the best tickets. I joined the official U2 newsletter group (before they had a souped up website) and got floor tickets. I became obsessed with wanting to be up close to the band, and see them go back to basics that I grew up with. I slept outside of the Delta Center to get inside the "heart"...the ramp that came out into the floor, After all of the hours of waiting, it was truly amazing to see Bono at his finest.

Although they seem to have all aged 10 years in 5, I still love them. Yes, their new songs might be cheesy and full of some pretty bad lyrics and yes, Bono is a little crazy on stage, and yes, he's lost a lot of his voice from smoking too many cigarettes, but I loved seeing them in concert where I felt like I was a part of it even though I was sitting in an IMAX theater seat. I love how they still play Sunday Bloody Sunday with passion and energy after playing it for 25 years. I love that Pride still makes an impact after all of this time.

If you're not a huge U2 fan, you'll probably find a lot of it cheesy and boring. They do look a little ridiculous with receding hairlines rocking out. They don't play the strongest set, but visually it is stunning. I recommend it even if you don't have a flood of memories coming back to you during the concert.

Manic Monday

2008-02-04T19:20:00.000-05:00

I was going to post something about emotions I felt last night as I saw the Pats perfect season not happen before my eyes when I thought it was a done deal with the Brady-Moss connection with 2:32 left.

Then I found this. And its WAY too funny not to share and a lot of it I've already felt/said/heard others say. I'll bold parts that I've felt/said/heard.

The five stages of Patriots grief

By DJ Gallo, Page 2

It's a sad day in Boston. (SO true. It was like an unhappy little cloud settled over everyone today. Plus it was totally gray and cloudy. Good thing I went on a long run to produce lots of endorphins!) Happy and full of joy everywhere else, of course. But sad in Boston.

Bostonians are coming to grips with the demise of ~~the greatest team ever~~ the New England Patriots.

As you may know, there are five stages of grief: denial and Isolation, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.

This is how Patriots fans will progress through the various stages. Please be understanding of their plight. Keep your pointing and laughing to a minimum.

Stage 1: Denial and isolation

No! No! No! No! Noooooooooooo! No! No! No! No! No! Noooooooooooo! This did not happen.

[+] Enlarge

Jason Parkhurst/US Presswire

Eli Manning beat the "best team ev-uh" in the Super Bowl? This cannot be happening.

There is no way this happened. It's impossible. There is no way Eli Manning -- Eli Manning! -- stopped us in the Super Bowl from going 19-0. Eli Manning did not just beat Tom Brady. Tom Brady did not get knocked out of the playoffs in back-to-back years by the Manning brothers. I refuse to believe it. Such a world does not exist.

I just can't deal with it right now. I don't want to talk to anyone. I just want to be alone. I'm not taking calls from any of my friends.

If I talk about it with them, that means I'm not dreaming and the Pats really lost. I am not yet prepared to face such a reality. My entire identity and self-worth hinges on the ability to act smug about the supposed supremacy of Boston's sports teams, as though I had something to do with their performance on the field.

If that goes away, I am an empty shell. I am a fraud. I would have nothing. And I'm not ready yet to deal with that. So I will simply deny that it happened.

I need to go someplace where I can get my thoughts together. Someplace quiet and empty. Where could that be in Boston? Oh, I know. Anywhere along the normal championship parade route.

Noooooooooooo!

Stage 2: Anger

I have a friggin' Patriots helmet tattooed on my head! On my bald head! What am I supposed to do? I feel foolish now! I wouldn't have done it if I knew they were going to lose. I just feel so misled! I feel so stupid.

Not as stupid as Bill Belichick, though. Genius? Yeah, right. You cheat in Week 1 against the Jets, but can't muster up a worthwhile cheating plot in the Super Bowl when it matters? Moron. Oh, and did you notice when you were walking off the field before the game was over that we lost by three points? Nice call going for it on fourth-and-13 when we were in field-goal range! Who helped you make that genius decision: Girlfriend A or Girlfriend B? You just got outcoached by Tom Coughlin. Badly. By Tom Coughlin! Half of the man's brain is still frozen from the Green Bay game, yet he made you look like Rich Kotite.

And Tom Brady … really? You needed a haircut from your stylist the night before the game?!

Maybe you should have spent more time watching film, you dainty little girl. And didn't you learn anything from Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson?

What's with having Gisele there watching from a luxury box? She shouldn't have been there. Actually, no. She should have been there. On the field. Playing for you. I'm sure her 72-pound body could have withstood the pass rush better than you, nancy boy. You're dead to me, Tom Brady. (Although I will be open to impassioned, aggressive make-up sex. Call me.)

Rodney Harrison and Vince Wilfork, you may not call me. You guys get all of these personal foul penalties and fines in games that don't matter, and then come up with nothing in the Super Bowl? Way to choke, losers. Maybe if one of you had kicked Eli Manning in the crotch while he was standing in the huddle, we'd be Super Bowl champions today. Harrison, how do you let David Tyree catch that pass against his head on you over the middle on the final drive? After he scored their first touchdown, he shouldn't have had a head. You should have decapitated him. I thought you were smart. One would think you'd have a big brain inside that giant, HGH head of yours.

[+] Enlarge

Alex Wong/Getty Images

Sen. Specter, are you just hating on the Patriots because they beat the Eagles in the Super Bowl?

Oh, and go to hell, Sen. Arlen Specter. (Or stay in Philadelphia. Same thing.) Get over it, you loser. Your Eagles lost. They weren't good enough to beat us. The Patriots are better than the Eagles. Just like New Kids are better than The Eagles. (I love Donnie!) And who are you, anyway? I never heard of you. If you're not a Kennedy, you're crap. Come up here to a real state and let Teddy take you for a drive out to Chappaquiddick.

And same to you, Boston Globe. Thanks for jinxing the team with the 19-0 book.

Next time I am out of toilet paper, I will purchase your rag. Meanwhile, I hope there are a bunch of kids in third-world nations who want to read a book of fiction about an undefeated American football team.

Stage 3: Bargaining

OK, look … there's got to be a way to make this right. What do you want us to do?

Do you want us to admit that we cheated to win those other three Super Bowls? Fine. We cheated. Asterisk those babies up. We admit it. Just please -- please, please, please, PLEASE! -- don't take away our perfect season. We'll trade those other three titles for 19-0. Just let us play the game over. Come on. Be fair. That's a good deal.

I can't even believe I'm saying this, but do you want me to admit that Tom Brady is overrated? I will. I'll say it. I'll say it if you'll let the Patriots play the game over. Do you see how far you're making me go? How much I want this? I am willing to speak a negative word about the most beautiful and perfect man ever made. I'll admit that he stunk in that playoff game against the Broncos two years ago. And that he blew our chances last year against the Colts by throwing that interception in the fourth quarter. And that he was a big zero in the Super Bowl against the Giants. He's been folding under pressure in big games for three years in a row. He's like a Manning, but with a better jaw line and two fewer Super Bowls since 2004.

I'll do anything to make this different. Say that Rodney Harrison is an HGH-fueled cheater? You got it. That the tuck rule was a sham? No doubt about it. That Bill Belichick once coached the Browns. Sure, I guess.

Roger Goodell … come on, man! We're in this together. Once you trusted Belichick to tell you the truth and then destroyed all of those tapes, our fates became intertwined. If we go down, you go down, ginger boy. So it's time for you to trust Belichick again. Here's what you do. First, destroy all of the game tapes from the Super Bowl to get rid of the evidence. Then, call up Belichick. He'll tell you that we beat the Giants. Then just go to the public and say: "The Patriots beat the Giants in the Super Bowl. Bill Belichick told me they did. He promised me he was being truthful, so I took him at his word." See how easy that would be?

Hey, I'll even admit that I never even heard of the New England Patriots before January 2002. Well, I heard of them. But I always thought they were, like, some kind of Revolutionary War re-enactors or something.

Come on. I'm being straight with you here. Give the Patriots another shot. Best out of three? Best out of seven? How about seven? The Red Sox lost the first three in 2004 to the Yankees and still came back and won.

Yankees suck!

Stage 4: Depression

Life is not worth living.

I've spent the past five months of my life telling everyone I know how great the Patriots are and how much their team sucks. I've called radio shows. TV shows. Written countless words on Internet message boards. My entire self-esteem was based on the success of a football team filled with a bunch of players I've never met in my life.

Now I have nothing. They'll get over it. They're rich. They have hot wives and girlfriends. But I have nothing. Just this tattoo on my head and a crappy, second-shift job at Dunkin' Donuts.

There's not hope for the future, either.

Tom Brady is balding. He's past his prime. It's all downhill from here. He's in his 30s now. He'll never get close to 50 touchdown passes again. His ankle is hurt. His shoulder is all messed up. Who knows what else is being hidden in the injury report. Gout? Scabies? Mumps? Measles? Rubella? Gisele will see the writing on the wall soon enough. She'll dump him. Then he'll start dating Jessica Simpson. And then it will get worse from there. Three years from now, he'll have a 65 quarterback rating and four kids with Britney Spears. We should just use our first-round pick this year to draft a quarterback and get it over with. Goodbye, Tom.

And goodbye Rodney Harrison, Junior Seau, Mike Vrabel and Tedy Bruschi. You could all retire. Or not. It doesn't matter either way. Without you, our already suspect defense is decimated. With you, we're another year older and slower. Next year, we're going to all offense and absolutely no defense. Ohmigod … we're going to be the 2004 and 2005 Colts.

I think I'm going to throw up.

Stage 5: Acceptance

OK. So we lost. It happened. We were 18-0 and lost in the Super Bowl to Eli friggin' Manning and the New York Giants. It still sounds insane to say that out loud, but facts are facts.

Truth is, I'm fine with it. That's three years in a row the Patriots haven't won a Super Bowl. What kind of dynasty is that? If they're not going to represent Boston the right way and win championships, they can get lost. I'll go back to pretending they don't exist like I did before January 2002. I mean, they're not even a Boston team. They play in Foxborough. That's where they belong, too, the losers. I've got better things to do with my time than root for a bunch of losers.

Like root for the Celtics, for example. Best record in the NBA, baby! How 'bout them apples?! You know you are jealous! Your teams sucks compared to the Celtics!

I'm going to go get Brian Scalabrine's face tattooed on my head.

If I ever do this...shoot me

2008-01-29T22:08:00.000-05:00

But I did find this REALLY hilarious.

So I'm 4 years behind

2008-01-27T23:58:00.000-05:00

Because the writer's strike has kept me from my ultimate guilty pleasure gossip girl, I somehow thought it would be a good idea to watch the OC. I've heard so much about it for so long, I finally decided to give in. I had seen part of one episode from season 4 and thought it was pretty stupid. Little did I know season one would be a lot better.

So I borrowed season one and watched it with some friends this weekend. I watched 14 episodes.
Bottom line: The OC is poison. Especially when you have a 15 page paper to write.
And I might have a crush on Ryan Atwood.

Memory Lane

2008-01-25T01:26:00.000-05:00

I have had such a lovely stroll down memory lane tonight. I found a couple of old data CDs that were full of gems that I downloaded off Napster in high school. (yes, I was in high school when Napster shut down).

Here's a sampling of what I found (no judgments):

Lo Fidelity All-Stars -- Battleflag
Sneaker Pimps -- 6 Underground
Mandy Moore -- Candy
Aalyiah -- Try Again
Nelly -- E.I.
Mr. Mister -- Broken Wings
Ace of Base -- Beautiful Life
Real McCoy -- Another Night
Semisonic -- FNT (from the 10 Things I Hate About You soundtrack)
Beastie Boys -- Body Movin' (Fatboy Slim Remix)
Alanis Morrisette -- Unsent
Blaque & 'NSync -- Bring It All to Me
Drew Danburry specials (ok this one is from college, but still feels old)
Best of Blur
Eminem -- My Name Is
Everclear -- Everything To Everyone
Blues Traveler -- Felicia
Green Day -- Brain Stew
Heart -- These Dreams
Incubus -- Stellar
Eve 6 -- Horrorscope
Limp Bizkit -- Nookie
Lisa Loeb -- I Do
No Doubt -- Simple Kind of Life
Porno for Pyros -- Pets
Prince -- Raspberry Beret
Santana & Rob Thomas -- Smooth (i remember how OVERPLAYED this was...it drove me nuts)
Sarah McLachlan -- Aida
Seal -- Krazy
St. Etienne -- Boy Is Crying
Sugar Hill Gang Classics
Alien Ant Farm -- Smooth Criminal

Plus I found pics of me in high school. Here is one that I especially love.

The first time I cuddled with a boy. Seriously. Somehow my best friend caught it on film. I was 16 and the boy was my first boyfriend.

Shoot.

2008-01-24T11:15:00.000-05:00

The Claim: Too Much Cola Can Cause Kidney Problems

By ANAHAD O’CONNOR

Published: January 22, 2008

THE FACTS

Skip to next paragraph

Leif Parsons

It is well known that too much soda can increase the risk of diabetes and obesity. But when it comes to kidney problems, is there a difference between colas and other kinds of soda?

Colas contain high levels of phosphoric acid, which has been linked to kidney stones and other renal problems.

Much of this conclusion stems from anecdotal and circumstantial evidence. So last year, a team of scientists at the National Institutes of Health took a closer look.

In a study published in the journal Epidemiology, the team compared the dietary habits of 465 people with chronic kidney disease and 467 healthy people. After controlling for various factors, the team found that drinking two or more colas a day — whether artificially sweetened or regular — was linked to a twofold risk of chronic kidney disease.

But drinking two or more noncola carbonated drinks a day, they found, did not increase the risk.

The authors of the study say more research is needed, but their findings support the long-held notion that something about cola — the phosphoric acid, for example, or the ability of cola to pull calcium from bones — seems to increase the risk of kidney stones, renal failure and other conditions affecting the kidneys.

THE BOTTOM LINE

There is good evidence that cola beverages can increase the risk of kidney problems, more so than noncola sodas.

Screen Sharing

2008-01-22T18:50:00.000-05:00

Michael Lau can control my screen. Yes I am typing this from the city of Provo all the way across the country.

Tommy finally takes the streets

2008-01-20T19:34:00.001-05:00

Although I'm not a fan of his personal life choices, I'm still a Brady fan. He's been a perfect QB all season with the highest QB rating of all time. I love watching the 50 yard bombs to Moss. Plus he's a San Mateo boy who was turned down by the 49ers in the NFL draft.

His smart water ads are now all over Boston and I'm happy to see his mug when I walk down the street to my car.

For your viewing pleasure.

My screen is so big

2008-01-20T03:01:00.000-05:00

It makes my eyes hurt.

Its also really bright and sharp. It's gorgeous. I'm not used to this.

After an 8 year hiatus, I've come back to the iMac. This time my bad boy has a 24" screen.

Its 3 AM. The problem was opening it up at 12 AM. Oops. Sounds like I'll be sleeping during Sunday School tomorrow.

I'm also realizing how much music I have. I have so much I don't even know what I have anymore. I dug up Sexy Boy by Air and Criminal by Fiona Apple both of which I haven't listened to in FOREVER and it's making me happy.

I just need to get to bed.

Apologies, Apologies

2008-01-14T15:28:00.000-05:00

I cant' believe I've neglected to update for a whole 11 days. Sorrys.

I was getting some much needed R&R in sunny CA and I guess I took my blogging responsibilities too lightly.

I stopped doing new years resolutions a few years ago. Not that I didn't have goals anymore, I just felt like I always forgot what my new years resolutions were after January passed. I was thinking it would be fun to do something drastic like cut out all sugar or something like that. I did that once at BYU. I'm still in shock that I actually made it 5 months no sugar. (Not all sugar, just desserts and such). I can't really fathom doing that anymore, but I think I have a pretty good list. I'll share a portion of it:

Run the Boston Marathon in under 4 hours (we'll see about the 4 hours part)

Take oil painting lessons in the fall

Read one book for fun a month (this one is going to be super hard to keep)

Wear sunscreen everyday

Pass the CA bar

Go to Asia (planning on Tokyo/Hong Kong/Thailand trip in August)

Read scriptures everyday

Drink more water

I know its kind of a lame list. Oh well. I can tell that 2008 is going to be an awesome year though. I can't believe January is 1/2 over! Thats what you get for not starting class until Jan 15th.

Happy New Years!

2008-01-03T01:21:00.000-05:00

Confessions

2007-12-23T23:30:00.001-05:00

Last night while waiting for my brother's bags to come at Salt Lake city airport, the 15 minute version of Rapper's Delight came on. I can still remember ALL the words from when I memorized it in high school. I hadn't heard the song in years.

I watched High School Musical yesterday with my nieces. They got bored 1/2 way through. I finished it. I'm a bit embarrassed. (btw, I'm so not a fan of Zac Efron, I think he's super girly, but it was super fun to see East High in all its glory)

I drank pickle juice when I was in 5th grade. I couldn't wait to finish a jar of pickles (which I loved) so I could drink the juice.

I love football. Instead of reading books to my niece I watched the patriots game. I felt a bit guilty afterwards. It also felt really good seeing the pats cream the dolphins. Too bad they didn't score in the 2nd half.

I haven't been to my ward in Boston for 5 weeks now. Weird.

I have never eaten at Bertucci's.

I forgot how different Utah style is. I was in shock when I landed and went to baggage claim to pick up my bags.

I love singing Christmas songs around the piano with my family.

I hate the Kay Jewelers and Jared commercials and can't wait until the Christmas commercials go away.

This was the earliest I've ever finished my Christmas shopping in recent memory and I'm dang proud.

I'm way too obsessed with Gossip Girl. My obsession got to a whole new level when I ordered the season's pass on itunes. I really wanted to watch episodes on the plane, and I did which made my delayed flight a whole lot more enjoyable.

I bonded with my sister's dog, Tucker, a golden doodle (poodle + golden retriever = golden doodle). Makes me want a dog.

I'm so excited for '08. It seemed like '08 would never come. I graduate this year!

Crew Cuts Ad

2007-12-15T23:24:00.000-05:00

Nope. It's just my adorable nieces.

I.R. Pissed

2007-12-10T01:05:00.001-05:00

Fletch is my favorite comedy of all time.

Instant Messaging from Another Room

2007-12-04T19:24:00.000-05:00

I seriously love gtalk. Especially for moments like this.

All the Leaves Are Brown

2007-12-03T00:26:00.000-05:00

And it makes me miss California.

I didn't even miss it this year until November 13th. I think that's a new record...almost 3 full months. I seriously love Boston, but sometimes a little warmth and sunshine goes a long way.

It's cold here.

And I'm dreaming of this.

Writer's Block

2007-11-28T00:34:00.000-05:00

I had to write a 30 page paper over Thanksgiving break (it was a good thing I didn't have to write the WHOLE 30 pages over break...but nevertheless I still had to write probably 10 or so) and now I sit here trying to write another 4-5 page paper.

I'm figuring out how hard it is to motivate myself to do so. I'm trying really hard.

Instead of writing my paper this evening, I
1. went to the gym
2. skipped my night class in the name of writing this paper
3. watched 2 episodes of project runway
4. watched 1 episode of the hills
5. talked to 2 friends on the phone
6. showered
7. ate 2 bowls of cereal
8. purchased some super cute boots
9. called my mom
10. went into my roommates room to complain about the paper and generally bug her while she was studying
11. Read 4 fashion blogs
12. Checked ESPN.com about 20 times
13. Thought about christmas gifts
14. Made sure I had a place to stay in NYC for this weekend
15. changed into my pajamas
16. Read some of my apartment's former tenant's Entertainment Weekly
17. Typed this blog

Its 12:39 am. I should either go to bed and have another go tomorrow (its due at 3:30 pm) or I should get cracking.

I do have a couple of sentences, although they are poorly written.

The problem is, this paper is for a class that counts for 1 measly credit toward my law degree. So its hard to get motivated to do it. The paper isn't even a large portion of my grade.
*sigh*

Thanks

2007-11-21T15:24:00.000-05:00

Just for fun I want to make a list of what I'm thankful for. I indeed have so much to be thankful for, and I find it funny that sometimes I dwell on the things I don't have, which is silly.

Sunshine in CA
Swedish meatballs with Lingonberries
A crisp clear morning in Boston
Boloco
Runner's high
The Charles River
Knit beanies
Hugs
gChat
Jetblue TVs
Visiting Teaching
Friends visiting from CA
Cell phones
New running shoes
Down comforters
HDTV & DVR
Red Sox
My education
My job
Changing leaves
Classic novels
Hot Chocolate
Heated Seats
Hot tubs
The Pacific Ocean
Oil Paintings
Clean Water
Kitties
Nieces
Nephews
General Conference
Home Teachers
Microwaves
Skiing & Powder
Snowbird & Alta
Headbands
jcrew.com
Blogs
ESPN
Microsoft Word
Cheeseburgers
Running Stairs
Comfortable jeans
Hoodies
Pizza
Diet Coke
Flight of the Conchords
Pumpkin pancakes
Dangly Earrings
Laughter
Guitar Hero
Dinner Guests
Literacy
My roommate
Clean rooms
Ghetto water heaters
Stimulating classes
Paris
Culture in Boston
Red brick buildings
JP Licks Frozen Yogurt
My car
The Office
The Beatles
MoTab
Chocolate Coconut Cookies
Wet hair when its cold out
Pianos
Fresh picked apples
iTunes and my millions of hours of music
Noise canceling headphones
The sound of the rain when I'm inside
Walking to school when I can step on crunchy leaves
The beach (anywhere -- East, West, Carribbean...)
NYC & Christmas Lights
Game Night
Football games
Wii Sports
Vitamin Water
Perrier with Lime
Slip on Vans
Warm coats / Fleece
Born as a citizen of the US
Sunday School
Prophets
Apostles
The Book of Mormon
The Bible
Doctrine & Covenants / Pearl of Great Price
Teachings of Joseph Smith
The First Vision
The Atonement
Personal Revelation
My testimony
Firesides
My health
My amazing mom
My dear brother
My dad
My sister and her husband and kids
Close family friends
Charity
The Holy Ghost
Heavenly Father
Jesus Christ

Slacker by choice

2007-11-13T15:31:00.000-05:00

About a month ago I walked by a nerdy looking girl on Boylston with a t-shirt that read "Genius by Birth, Slacker by Choice." I snickered and loved it. And I wanted the shirt instantly.

I'm not saying I'm a genius. But lately I've been feeling like I might not be living up to my full intellectual/professional potential. I'd like to think I'm pretty smart and I know I can accomplish anything I'd really want to -- I feel like I could have been on law review, I could have been at the top of my class, I could have read every case and briefed it, I could have participated in moot court and done well, I could have ran for an editorial position on my current journal for this year, I could have researched for my note thoroughly and had it published, I could have attended every class, I could have taken copious notes and not been distracted by the internet, and basically, I could have been more involved in law school and studied harder.

But I didn't. And I'm not regretting it.

Sometime during my sophomore year at BYU, I realized that success with school/job/career wasn't going to be the end all, be all of my life. I realized that my self worth wasn't tied to my grades and I wasn't an unsuccessful person if I didn't go to a top medical school and become the person to cure cancer. I'm really glad I realized this in college as soon as I did. I find myself a much happier person when I have balance in my life. I've really enjoyed my time as a junior and senior at BYU and my time in law school (well 1st year was a little rough). I know that I need interactions with close friends and family often to make me happy. I know that I need to exercise or run 6 days a week to be happy. I know I need spiritual time in my life every day. I know I'm a much happier person when I get at least 8 hours of sleep. I know that its not worth it to me to sacrifice time for these good things to achieve better things in my scholarly life. I know that other people are able to achieve more and balance their lives just fine, but I'm content with my rich life full of other things besides intellectual achievements.

So although at first I was given crap at law school for not showing up to class, not reading, etc. etc., I now get heralded as a hero, almost on a daily basis for choosing other good things instead of class. Besides, next year when I'm a first year associate at a law firm, I'm going to dream of the day when I could skip class to track down baseball players and stay up late hot tubbing on the rooftops of Boston.

Flight of the Conchords

2007-11-06T23:26:00.000-05:00

I am one happy girl.

I just purchased Season One of Flight of the Conchords and the Help! the Special Edition DVD.

And I finally got to see episode 12 of Season One. I laughed so hard watching it on my laptop in bed my roommate came in to ask what I was doing.

Here's what I laughed at.

I seriously love Bret. I love Footloose too.

Thanks TBell

2007-11-05T10:14:00.000-05:00

Just when I thought I couldn't love Taco Bell anymore....they place my mugshot right below Jacoby's face.

Just for the record.

Papelbon is hilarious

2007-11-02T10:12:00.000-04:00

Papelbon is so great. I giggled pretty loud while watching this in bed last night.

My fav part comes up at 5:50. Just wait for it...its amazing.

Best Day Ever...

2007-11-01T00:40:00.000-04:00

I feel like I took the most pictures on this one day than I have on any one day in my entire life. I realize this, so if you can't bear to look at all these pics (which you really will want to because it was such a great day...I think these 4 pics pretty much sum it up):

Jacoby Ellsbury #46. Bless you Jacoby's aunt.

I'm the one with the sign and the baseball pressed up against the window.

In all his glory.

In all my glory.

The parade sign glory.

Where to start? I'm so behind. I still need to post world series pics but anyway... a little pre-game rally action happened on Monday eve when I returned from my run and flipped on Fox where they showed the red sox landing in Logan and boarding buses en route to Fenway. After showering and running full sprint to Fenway, I saw John Henry walk right by me with the championship trophy. Too bad I didnt have time to get out my camera!

I also saw Schill, JD Drew, Youkilis, Ortiz.

All the other red sox players parked in the real fenway parking lot and drove off. Bobby Keilty got hosed and had to park across the street. So he made his way through the crowd. I snapped his pic and then high fived him!

We headed straight for the red sox store to get our world championship sweatshirts. Too bad they weren't there yet. But we did find the Jordan's furniture guy! I told him how much I enjoy my sectional. Too bad I didn't buy it in April! (it would have been free since the sox won the world series)

Monday night I couldn't concentrate on school work because I was so stoked for the parade. I played guitar hero III for 4 hours instead. And then I tried to sleep but it was like the night before christmas.

Now, just a preface...I am a big sports fan. I was raised that way. I love basketball, football, baseball, soccer, tennis...etc. I have watched baseball since I was young. I have always looked down on the girls in middle school or high school that would crush on some cute young players and just like the sport because they thought the boys were cute. I have not ever been like that. But Jacoby Ellsbury...I am his biggest fan. (I think). I started to notice Jacoby in July/August when he was called up from the minors. Then when I was back in Boston Jacoby had major play time in September since Manny was still injured. He was AL Rookie of the Month and hitting .353. I was a fan of his althletic abilities -- he is so fast, he makes great catches, and bats fairly well. I also loved the fact that he started out the year in AA ball and moved to the red sox. The physical attraction part started at the end of September. I realized that I thought he was pretty hot. Then thats when I googled him. I found out he went to OSU and brought them to the College World Series for the first time in 50 some odd years, his mom is full Navajo and Mormon, he was raised Mormon (whatever that means), and he is exactly 5 months younger than me. Learning all this information made me like him a bit more. So once October rolled around, I was sad I didn't get to see much of Jacoby in the ALDS or ALCS until Game 6...which happened to be the game I attended and he started in the lineup instead of Coco Crisp. Anyway, I've become a big fan. And I haven't quite forgiven myself for loving Jacoby for his baseball skills and also how he looks, but I think this baseball crush is a phase that will pass. Then I can go back to being a true Jacoby fan.

I couldn't sleep on Monday night because I had a feeling something great was going to happen. I debated about making a sign for Jacoby. I knew there would be hundreds of girls/women that had "marry me jacoby" signs. So I decided against it and I just figured it would be enough to see him and wave to him.

I got up on Tuesday morning so excited. I got my roommate to come with me at 10 AM to stake out a good spot near Copley. We heard Jonathan Papelbon was going to dance in front of Copley.

Copley was packed.

Whitney & Whitney waiting patiently.

So around 11 o'clock I realized that I really did want to make a sign for Jacoby. I went to Walgreens and grabbed some posterboard. I already had a fat sharpie on hand. I debated for a long time what to write. I finally came up with "Jacoby Marry Me I'm Mormon". I was super embarassed when I was making the sign, but I figured it would get his attention because how many other women would write that on a sign? I counted maybe 10 mormon women would actually be at the parade, so the odds were in my favor.

I was SO excited when the first duck boat pulled up. They were going really slow.

THEO!

THEOOOO.

Theo is seriously the man.

As you can tell it was a gorgeous fall day in Boston. Not a cloud in the sky. It was a bit chilly though.

Francona! I love this man.

Francona & the other coaches.

Beckett and WAKE! I didnt realize it was Beckett at first because he was just standing there looking bored and kind of pissed. Schill was on the other side, so I couldn't see him.

Beckett feet away from me! Still looking kind of mad. Maybe it was because he promised Papelbon he would dance with him if they won the World Series. Beckett didn't dance.

Copley.

I had a ton of reactions from the players and their families about my sign. It was a huge hit! This sums it up. The woman with Youkilis (I think his wife) pointing to my sign, filming me, and laughing. Youk just chillin.

Pedroia! On the other side. I love him! It was at this point that I thought I had missed Jacoby. I was freaking out a little. I figured they'd put Ellsbury & Pedroia together. But no. Wait for it...

The back of Dice-K. Sad I didnt get to see the full teddy bear face effect up close.

The bullpen band. Donnelly, Delcarmen (Glo's boyfriend), Lopez.

Glo's boyfriend.

Confetti.

I didn't know what was coming next...there was a break in the floats and then....

HE WAS RIGHT THERE. He was there, waving to the crowd, and then he saw my sign, pointed at me, laughed, smiled and gave me the thumbs up. I was screaming my head off. I'm so glad Whitney B. was there to witness it, because I'm still having to tell myself it really happened. He reacted in a big way to my sign. I'm sad this pic came out blurry.

Right about now my heart was racing. And my face was all hot.

Next the Ortiz/Manny float. This guy is filming me and my sign. :)

Manny had a mic but I couldnt make out what he was saying. So fun to watch these two.

PAPI! Love him!

I LOVE it!

Tek went down and helped his daughter put on a sweatshirt. His float was stopped in front of ours for awhile.

Tek and his "mom jeans". haha. Thanks Nat for the laugh.

Alex Cora.

Boston Baked Beans and that annoying NESN woman announcer.

Lugo hiding his face.

Boston's finest!

So right after the parade ended, I was planning on running over to city hall to witness the end of it and see Papelbon dance on the jumbotron. But I called my friend Rachel first and she told me some amazing news...her co-worker found out from Boston.com that Ellsbury was going to go to the Taco Bell in Cambridgeside Galleria to get his free taco right after the parade. So I planned on going straight over there. Then she called me back 5 mins later and they had changed the location -- Jacoby was coming to MY taco bell at BU. I was floored. So I dropped off my sign and books at my apt and went straight over there. I was wearing my ellsbury shirt and World Series hat so I figured he could sign one of those. I also wanted to tell him I was the girl with the "Marry Me I'm Mormon" sign. Anyway, I decided to stop and buy a $5 baseball at the BU bookstore, I didn't think I had time to go to Fenway and get a proper regulation ball. I got to TB at 1:50 and so I was one of the first people in line to get my free taco.

I stood outside to eat it and scoped out the promotional people. I asked a cop and one of the promotional guys where to stand in order to meet Jacoby. They were very hush-hush about it all. They weren't telling anyone he was coming. 2 people told me to stand outside by the big window. I stood there and ate my taco while some chick took my picture. Turns out she was shooting for Taco Bell and AP news. Little did I know I'd be Taco Bell's poster child.

http://www.tacobell.com/pressreleases/stolentacos.htm

Anyway, I'm so thankful Rachel came down to TB and waited with me. We strategized and planned how we were going to get Jacoby to sign my baseball or at least talk to him. As the time grew closer, the TB was turning into a mob scene. We realized it was going to be pretty hard to get him to sign something, let alone talk to him. We were also outside the TB, which ended up being somewhat of a disadvantage.

Thankfully Rachel had a notebook so I recreated the sign...with a slight variation.

He was supposed to come between 3-3:30. It ended up being 3:45. He also came through a back door, so I didn't get to see him come in.

Jacoby waiting for his taco.

Waving to us.
The view of this scene from the inside. Boston Globe pic.

Signing hats. It was so cute how excited the TBell workers were.

Signing the workers hats.

After signing hats...the real fun began when Rachel and I chatted through the window with Jacoby's fan club.

So Jacoby entered with an entourage. Right when he came in, I saw this blond chick and figured it was his girlfriend. I had heard he had one. Anyway, she saw my sign first, and instantly looked away after reading it and scoffing. She was kind of a brat. We tapped on the window to talk to her...and I asked her if she was his girlfriend and she said yes. Then Rachel mouthed, "you're very pretty". And she said "thank you" back. Then she turned right around again. Rachel and I were trying to suck up to her so he would sign my baseball. Didn't exactly work.

The heroine of the day was this woman, Jacoby's aunt. I mouthed to her, "are you his mom?". She mouthed back, "no I'm his aunt." Then she pointed to her right and had Jacoby's mom wave at us. I was so excited. Jacoby's dad was there too. The boy in the red sweatshirt is Jacoby's younger brother. Anyway, super funny because the aunt was taking pictures and took a ton of pictures of me and she pointed at my sign and laughed. She also got Jacoby's mom's attention and Jacoby's mom saw my sign too.

I took like 100 pictures to try and get a pic of the gf. Here she is.

So we saw the mob moving after Jacoby ate his taco and was interviewed. I panicked. I figured I'd lost my chance because I wasn't inside to pass my baseball to Jacoby. So we left our prime spot by the window and went around the back. The Boston Cop had told me he was arriving in a black escalade, so we went around the back to find it. As soon as we did that it pulled up to the front of the TBell on Comm Ave. I saw his gf get in, his dad, his brother and I figured Jacoby would be getting in soon. And he did. Jacoby got in the back and I thought all was lost. But then *trumpet blare -- bah bah bah dah!* the aunt showed up. Rachel passed her our sign and the ball and I gave her my BU Law pen and asked if she could get Jacoby to sign it. She said she would try really hard. She got in the back seat and passed it to Jacoby and he signed my baseball and then I got to open the door of the car and get my baseball, Rachel's notebook, and my pen. We were super sad he didn't sign the sign...but I was still in shock as I left the scene with a signed baseball.

In all its glory!

I can't tell you how elated I was. I was shaking. Another funny story...as we were walking away an African American girl walked up to Rachel and I and was like.."was that Jacoby Ellsbury!? He is SO hot!" And I was like, "yeah, I know." And she was like "was that blond chick his girlfriend?" And I'm like "yeah..." And then she goes, "B**** needs to get her roots done!"

HILARIOUS.

We then walked straight to Fenway where I got a cheapo plastic holder (I'm going to get a better one) and we tried to walk off the high.

I couldn't concentrate when I got home but somehow I finished my homework assignment and went to class for 30 mins.

I didn't think my day could be topped but then I went to Rogue Wave at the Paradise. They rocked. And I got a set list. Yes.

WOW.

I still can't believe it and I'm still pinching myself.

Here's to waiting until March (spring training in FL!) for more brushes with Red Sox players.

Preview of What is to Come

2007-10-31T02:09:00.001-04:00

Boston Red Sox's fan Whitney enjoys her free taco as part of the "Steal a Base, Steal a Taco" MLB World Series Promotion in Boston, Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2007. Jacoby Ellsbury stole second base in Game 2 insuring millions of free tacos for fans across the United States. (AP Photo/Taco Bell, Mary Schwalm)

Not to Take Credit or Anything...

2007-10-28T01:37:00.001-04:00

but let's just say that the past 5 days I have worn the same shirt.

Last night I slept in it.

And today Jacoby becomes the first rookie in 61 years to have 4 hits in a world series game, 3 doubles, and is player of the game. Plus he's the cover shot of espn.com right now.

It was quite a fun game to watch. Thanks for all the text messages too. :)

Love That Dirty Water

2007-10-25T03:00:00.000-04:00

No kidding. Tonight on my run as I was crossing the Longfellow Bridge and looking at the Boston skyline, I realized how much I love Boston. I knew I loved it long ago, but it hit me tonight. I do love this city and I finally feel like "boston, you're my home" rings true. It didn't for the first 9 months I lived here, but I'm so glad I feel like that now!

Here's a gem for you right now, and tomorrow I promise to upload the rest of the pics I took tonight. Let's just say I'm so happy the red sox are in the world series, it makes october much more enjoyable. The sox are just so much fun to watch.

Let it Snow (in Utah)

2007-10-16T19:26:00.000-04:00

Over conference weekend I was in SLC for my close friends wedding and to spend some time with my favorite people -- my two nieces and nephew, sister, and brother-in-law.

The weather was super crappy, really cold and sleeting. My body was in shock after leaving 90 degree weather in Boston. The sleet in the valley made for some pretty mountains though. We drove up to Alta on Sunday and I got super excited for ski season. People had already hiked up and skied down. My nieces were exciting for skiing too as they asked their dad, "DADDEEE...can we got skiing now!?" I love that the thrill of skiing runs in the family.

At the mouth of the canyon the fall colors were still bursting.

Crazy that there was this much snow in OCTOBER. I can only hope for good snow in December. :) Maybe I'll use one of my 4 day weekends to go skiing in November...

My close friend Steph got married to Rob and is now officially Steph Steph. Which I think is funny. Rob is a dreamboat and they are MFEO!

Here are some pretty pics of the couple.

What a good cake in the face shot.

After seeing cake shoved up Steph's and Rob's noses, I decided I'm not shoving cake up my nose at my wedding. ;) But its fun to watch nonetheless.

I missed out on some QT with friends in town that I was super sad about. I guess I just have to go to California.

Too Much TV

2007-10-10T22:52:00.000-04:00

On Monday we had a holiday for Columbus day. Instead of working on my 30 page paper, I watched TV, went to the gym, and visited a friend. I ended up catching up with all the weekend TV and found myself sitting on the couch for over 6 hours. That's ridiculous.

I resolve to:

1. Stop watching Grey's Anatomy. The show has turned into one of the most annoying shows on TV. Who cares about Meredith and Derek anymore? And Izzie and George just don't work for me. I'm done with it.

2. Stop watching The Bachelor. I've seen other seasons, its just the same over and over again. You see the some of the girls self-destruct over this hot guy, you see some of the girls show their total insecurity on camera, you see some sweet but boring girls, you see some girls that are in it for the hunt, and you see some that are just pathetic and not classy at all. I'm tired of seeing all of it.

3. Always watch my shows with DVR. Its so much better when an hour show is cut down to 40 mins.

4. Read for my classes before TV. haha. Funny joke. That is never going to happen, I'm a 3L.

5. Not add any more shows to my lineup. I watch enough TV already.

So here are the shows that I'm watching:
1. The Office -- a given
2. Friday Night Lights -- a gift to the TV world
3. The Hills -- a 20 minute guilty pleasure
4. Gossip Girl -- I do it for the clothes and the boys are pretty in HD.
5. Pushing Daises -- its too Ameliesque to pass up

I think I can handle that list. I might add 30 Rock to the list.

Project Runway doesn't start till November, so I'm good till then.

I need to fill my time up with writing my paper, reading, running, and blogging. I think this is a good plan.

Hey Man I Just Want Some Muesli

2007-10-09T18:05:00.000-04:00

These guys make me laugh hysterically.

Say It Ain't So Oh Whoa Oh

2007-10-08T01:06:00.000-04:00

As I was flying home yesterday I was going through old videos given to me by my friend Mike. I forgot about this little gem. I loved this song so much in middle school. I remember my 6th grade boyfriend and I listened to this album over and over again and sang Sweater Song in woodshop.

I loved Weezer before they sold out. And this video makes me smile because of how dorky they were and how they just didn't care what people thought of them. Later they became more polished and Rivers made "geek chic" popular but I still love the old Weezer.

Too much awesomeness

2007-10-04T11:36:00.000-04:00

I haven't been able to blog as of late because my life has been filled with too much awesomeness. Last night was in particular full of awesomeness. I somehow got lucky enough to go to Game 1 of the ALDS. Beckett pitched, all of the season ticketholders were out, the standells who wrote & sang "love that dirty water" sang the national anthem, nat faxon (KIP from the movie Orange County) sat behind us, ellsbury played in the 9th, Ortiz & Youkilis homered...all in all it was just a fabulous game. I love baseball in October! Especially when its 70 at night.

Once the game ended around 9, I had some time to rest up a little before hitting the Middle East for some Minus the Bear action. Minus the Bear is my favorite band to see live...I saw them for the first time at Kilby Court in Salt Lake 4 years ago. I've now seen them 6 times. They never get old. My roommate Whitney came along and she quite enjoyed herself. My only gripe: too many people taking pics at the concert. Here's the thing...fine if you want to take tons of pictures in a huge venue...TD Banknorth Garden, Bank of America Pavilion, etc. But when you're at a small club, its just poor form. One or two is fine, but 50? The guy in front of me literally took 60 pictures, and I finally tapped him on the shoulder and was like...is that really necessary? Do you need 60 pictures of Minus the Bear? I mean...really? He must have been 18 or so...anyway I think he felt really dumb, as he should have.

I'm so lucky I get to see Minus two nights in a row. If I got to go to a Sox playoff game and minus two nights in a row...I dont think I could handle it.

Tooth Fairy

2007-09-26T19:53:00.001-04:00

My niece is adorable. She's getting so old she's losing teeth now. This pic of her letter to the tooth fairy made my day.

MIT Hack

2007-09-25T19:07:00.000-04:00

MIT kids are smart, Harvard kids are dumb.

"In recognition of the release of Halo 3, a highly anticipated video game by Microsoft and Bungie, MIT hackers adorned the John P. Harvard statue, in Harvard Yard, with a Spartan helmet. The back of the helmet, which is worn by the protagonist of the game, Master Chief, was labeled with “Master Chief in Training.” The statue was decorated with an assault rifle (bullet count of 2E), as well as a Beaver emblem on the right shoulder."

Wee Ninja in da house

2007-09-24T23:02:00.001-04:00

Thanks to a random birthday present our apartment has a little flair which makes me happy. Thanks Karren, 'preciate cha!

We might change it out from time to time. Any suggestions on what else we should put there?

The King of Kong & Live Free or Die

2007-09-23T17:10:00.000-04:00

After a couple of weekends in Maine, we decided to accept an invitation to lake winnipesauke in NH. I've heard much about the lake and I was quite excited to see it for myself and go waterskiing. Turns out I didn't waterski (I was too much of a wuss and it was pretty choppy, only wakeboarding water...) but I lied to Whitney and told her I would go after her. hahaha. Poor girl. She was COLD. I did end up getting into the water after we got off the boat and we were in the hot tub. The water wasn't bad at all, it was just windy and chilly outside.

I think this is an awesome pic of Cam wakeboarding.

Whitney got up for the first time. She was an instant pro. Though a cold instant pro.

Fun with testing my arm length...

The real star was Jared...getting some major air here.

If you haven't seen The King of Kong : Fistful of Quarters yet, you MUST go see this movie. Its only about an hour and 20 mins, but its pure joy the whole film length. It's a documentary about middle aged men fighting for the crown of highest Donkey Kong score ever. You think its a mockumentary its just so rich with humor & good lines. Part of the movie takes place at Fun Spot at Lake Winnipesauke. We were quite excited to make a pilgrimage to this famous arcade and play some of the classic games of old.

Steve Wiebe -- one of the main characters in King of Kong.

Billy Mitchell -- the other main character in King of Kong.

Whitney might kill me for putting this up, I have no idea how my camera captured that wild look in her eye as she approached the Tetris machine...but we can just say its a miracle and not question it.

PONG!
I played Frogger for a good 20 mins. You really can't go wrong with this one.

I LOVE this game and the fact its in such great condition. A true classic.

Me getting my butt kicked on the famous Donkey Kong machine from the movie.

Skee-ball : The game for the masses.

Live Free or Die, folks. Really.

Funspot was full of classic arcade games, it was quite fun. Although I had one huge gripe: No X-men! Boo. All in all, I gained a new appreciation for the good ole state of New Hampshire.

YO! MTV Raps + Puma = Awesomeness

2007-09-20T16:52:00.001-04:00

I was on my way home after stopping for JP Licks fro yo when I walked by the Puma store on Newbury and was delighted to see huge Yo! MTV Raps signs in the window. Apparently the 80s are back, just in case you were blind for the past year. I didn't go inside because I had my fro yo cone, but I can't wait to see the flourescent kicks that this collaboration comes up with. I think I was like 3 years old when Yo! MTV Raps came out originally...but I still feel connected to it.

Vote for the 756 ball fate.

2007-09-17T14:24:00.000-04:00

Marc Ecko bought Barry's 756th HR ball from the Mets fan that caught it August 7th. Now Marc wants the "public" to decide what to do with the ball -- send it to the Hall of Fame, send it to the Hall of Fame with a burned asterisk, or send it out to space.

Who knows if he's really going to follow the public's opinion (there is no way to see which option is winning in votes) or if he would really send it out to space...but I voted anyway.

http://www.vote756.com/marcecko/

I'm big in Boston.

2007-09-16T14:48:00.000-04:00

My dear brother Cameron invited me to go to the Yankees-Red Sox game on Friday night. It was quite a fun game until the 8th, when the yankees got 6 runs. But despite that, Cam and I still made it on Boston.com. Check out this great pic.

To see for yourself...go to
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/gallery/09_14_07_fenway_scene?pg=16

The guy that is in the green and white striped shirt next to me...he was so funny. Typical New Englander...from Quincy, Irish Catholic, drank alot, die hard sox fan, yankee fan heckler.

It was a great game until I had my heart ripped out and stomped on. But anyway...we still won last night. :)

The Wit is back.

2007-09-13T19:58:00.001-04:00

When walking home from school on Wednesday I had the sudden urge to start my blog up again. Along with that, I had this post inspire me on that same day, and two of my friends told me they really missed my blog.

So here we go.

I think its September in Boston that gets me so excited about life in general and which is why I had the sudden urge to blog again. Not necessarily that my life hasn't been exciting since March, au contraire...but perhaps I'm open again to having all of you read about it again. And for me, its a lovely way to journal.

March Madness

2007-03-07T11:56:00.002-05:00

With selection Sunday just around the corner, I'm shaking in my slip on vans.

Why, you ask? Because my bracket last year simply rocked. My first round was nearly perfect (I think I missed 2 games out of 32) and my second round was nearly the same. I was on top in my BU law pool and a BYU law school pool. It was the first year I didn't bet any money and I was totally kicking myself for it. But this year, I have a feeling I'm not going to do as well as last year and that will leave me deflated. How can you beat a nearly perfect first round of your bracket? (I still brag about it)

I do have hope though. Last year I followed college basketball a little more than this year (and besides, there seems like there is a lot more fluctuation in team performance this season) but I still predicted 0 out of 4 final four teams.

The goal this year is to still have fun picking my teams (I still dont think I'll pick BYU, they always choke and as much and I'd love to cheer for them, if they are really going up against Texas Tech...puhlease...), watching all the games (if only it was on my plasma...hee hee I'll be at home instead), and drawing up my family's bracket (a tradition I started in the 5th grade after realizing how much fun the NCAA tourney was). Btw, I had a winning streak for my family's bracket for like 5 years straight. It was beautiful. I think JB (?) won it last year w/ Florida...or maybe it was Hillary. Maybe I can regain some of the family bragging rights. (we just choose names out of a hat, its all luck)

March is my favorite time of the year b/c of March Madness. I have very fond memories in undergrad of skipping class and watching all the first round games. When else can you have 16 games in a day? March Madness also got me through the one weekend I spent in the hospital recovering from sepsis my freshman year. Last year I skipped property and watched the Boston College first round game in T's pub on Comm Ave. Skipping class was a good choice last time. March Madness also reminds me of the time in 1994 when my dad decided we should scalp tickets for the final four and I got to go to it. There was also the time sophomore year when Mike and I went up to the U and got tickets to see the Gonzaga-Arizona game that went into triple OT. I screamed so hard I had a headache for about an hour. Now I'm just rambling about my favorite March Madness moments...anyway...It also signals the end of what I think is the most exciting sports event (all those college players play with so much heart, and each time they just have one game to play) while it signals the start of...BASEBALL. :)

So I will definitely do my research this year and choose carefully. But I vow not to be disappointed and I will love every minute of the double OTs, incredible last second shots, the endearing cinderellas, and hopefully the teams I hate exiting early. I seriously can't wait.

UPDATE: I ended up with all 4 of my final 4...I was quite happy with my results. And I beat my roommate who bragged about her bracket for a long time...she ended up with 0/4.

Nostalgia

2007-03-06T11:47:00.001-05:00

This weekend whilst in DC I was talking to someone (I really wish I could remember who it was...dang) about how much I love U2. We were talking about our favorite albums and I said Achtung Baby and Zooropa. He agreed that Zooropa was awesome (I think it was a he at least..) and then dawned on me that I hadn't listened to that album in SO long. Zooropa was my first CD I purchased when I was in 5th grade and I just got a new CD player. I felt SO cool going to Sam Goody at Bellevue Square to purchase my first CD. $13.99 was so worth the hours and hours of play time that the CD got in my room. I was just talking about how awesome the album is with Karren on gchat right now...and we decided the WHOLE album is so good. Lemon, Zooropa, Babyface, Stay, Who's Gonna Pay for your Crashed Car, Dirty Day, the Wanderer...seriously the whole album is awesome. And who could forget the music video for Numb w/ the Edge?

Anyway, I just looked up Zooropa in my itunes and I'm listening to it right now. It's bringing me back to dancing around in my room on Yarrow Point when I was 11! I can still remember exactly how my room looked too. I felt so cool b/c I could finally put up my own posters (my mom didnt let me hang posters in Menlo Park). I had a big U of W Huskies poster along with a big Squaw Valley Poster (which I still have somewhere I think). I even had the U2 calendar from 1995 hanging up in that room.

Anyway, thank you U2 for bringing me back to my elementary and middle school days. I'm so enjoying this.

What are your favorite albums that bring you back in time?

Recharging

2007-03-05T00:11:00.001-05:00

This weekend was so perfect and it was exactly what I needed. At the last minute I booked a ticket to DC and stayed with my friend Amber. I couldn't have picked a better weekend for the weather (sunny and 60), friends (one of my best friends from growing up was randomly there with a bunch of my other friends), fun (parties, shopping, museums, tours, late night chats, french toast, going out to dinner, etc) and other random things.

I was in such a good mood when I got home. Then the weight of the reading assignments, work, papers, etc came down on me along with the realization that we have mice in our apt.

I'm still smiling about the weekend though. And instead of reading, I watched Laguna Beach. How's that for escapism?

Oscar Wrap Up

2007-02-27T23:45:00.001-05:00

So I never like the Oscars. But I watch them anyway. This year I was more excited about them because I had actually seen quite a few of the movies that were nominated: The Departed, Dreamgirls, Little Miss Sunshine, Marie-Antoinette, The Queen...so anyway I felt more attached or more invested in it this year than previous years, when I hadn't seen any of the movies nominated.

Again, I was disappointed. I always ask myself why I watch. I mean I love the gowns and all, but its always too political and I just get annoyed about how self-aggrandizing it is. I always find myself saying, "What a waste of my time", yet I still watch. It's just a show to be like "look how great Hollywood is" when really Hollywood ain't that great. Yet I still go and see their movies.

Jack Black and Will Ferrell were the only good parts. Okay, and Jennifer Hudson.

But I was quite excited the departed won and so did Martin Scorcese. But I still dont endorse seeing it. It really was highly offensive. Even though it was good.

Can you see how I feel here people? I'm totally divided on this Oscar issue.

So...to sum up, I love and hate the oscars.

I'd date him

2007-02-26T17:07:00.001-05:00

More Bounce in California

2007-02-25T17:06:00.001-05:00

When I booked my ticket in October, little did I know that my flight to Huntington Beach to visit Katie and Corey would come at the perfect time. Two weeks into winter and I was definitely ready for some warmth and sunshine.

Upon my arrival (my flight was a little late and the direct TV was out...sadness) Corey picked me up and guess where we went first...that's right IN and OUT for my favorite cheeseburger with grilled onions. *sigh* Thank goodness for DVR b/c I didn't miss Greys and The Office. Both hilarious.

Friday morning I realized that the 6 1/2 hour flight was totally worth it when I got to take a nice long run along the beach in shorts and tshirt and being blinded by the sun. While Corey was at work I just slept in and took the run and got ready. When she got home we went to this fantabulous hole in the wall taqueria in Newport Beach and then headed straight for some high quality shopping at South Coast Plaza. I had heard about South Coast for years and was very happy to finally go there. I was in heaven with a Saks, Nordstrom, Chloe, Tory Burch, JoMalone, Coach, Barneys, Cole-Haan, Zara, all in the same place. My only gripe was that it was inside and we didn't get to soak up more sunshine. We got to the mall at like 4 and closed it down at 9 pm. The last stop was Ted Baker where I got this absolutely fabulous coat. (I had buyers remorse the next day, but heh lucky for me they didn't take returns so I"m stuck with it :) Then we headed to Claim Jumpers for a later dinner and Katie joined us. We all had the seared ahi tuna salad that had beets in it...just divine. It came with this garlic cheese bread that was oh so tasty. Followed up by some amazing dessert:

Mud Pie for the Masses is really what it should have been named.

Saturday we slept in. (The whole time I was there I slept like 11 hours every night, it was heaven). Then we went on a run, then we went to downtown HB for guess what...more shopping. The Shoe Lab on Main St where we all bought a pair of hot shoes. Here is Katie and I checking ourselves out.

It's a good thing Corey and I live in different cities b/c great fashion minds think alike and we ended up with the same pair of shoes. And they were on sale...even better.

We went to Wahoo's Fish Tacos for lunch. Simply heaven. If I lived in HB I think I'd have these everyday. It was great when I watched the first season of Laguna Beach this weekend that they had a scene in Wahoos. I felt all special.

When we walked into The Closet on main, I felt like I was back in Haight Ashbury. They had some fabulous pieces, but thankfully I didn't walk away with anything b/c I had done my damage the day before (plus that pair of shoes I bought on saturday, see above) But I did kind of like this hat. It looked better on sideways though.

My favorite pic of the trip. This happened in Burlington Coat Factory. Enough said.

Me & the one girl I know who loves Big Gulps more than I do.

Saturday night we saw Catch & Release. Nothing to write home about but I thought the leading guy (timothy olyphant) was kind of cute (even though he was the slimy guy...whatever). I still love Jennifer Garner even if this movie was trying to do too much. Kevin Smith made me laugh too. I wanted more of a romantic comedy, not like 5 plots shoved together incoherently. But I still enjoyed myself.

Sunday was Stake Conference and we got to hear L. Tom Perry speak which was a treat. I really loved his talk because he was so positive and really down to earth.

After church we headed south to Laguna Beach to meet up with my brother for dinner.

As we stood on the beach watching the sun set, I couldn't help but be overcome with gratitude for how beautiful the scene was. I think I appreciated it more being away from the sun and warmth for so long. For some reason the ocean was really turquoise too which made me very happy. I just stared at it for the longest time.

Dinner in Laguna was amazing..I had some Salmon something. Cam and I love taking pics together. haha.

So we were driving back and I decided I really couldn't leave just yet and I stayed for a couple more days. Monday and Tuesday I shopped, read, ran, and watched some more TV. It was simply the best weekend...I LOVED it. Not to mention Corey and Katie are two of my favorite people. Miss you guys!

Presidents Weekend Looked A Lot Like This

2007-02-19T13:11:00.001-05:00

Pretty much my weekend in a nutshell.

Travel Log...Oh well

2007-02-19T01:51:00.001-05:00

You know, I realized that all my blog is are posts about my travels and pics of those travels. I mean I have other stuff posted, like random thoughts and the like. But ya know, I dont really mind that my blog is really just a travel log because guess what, I go on trips a lot. And by a lot, I really wish it was more often.

I know you can't wait to see my SoCal pics. My dear sweet KC has promised them. :D

Patience my child.

My girlz

2007-02-16T16:39:00.001-05:00

These pictures make me really happy. Lauren bought us all the same Tshirt that I absolutely love when she was in Canada over break. Here's our little photo shoot.

Avoiding Responsibility

2007-02-12T21:23:00.001-05:00

Can you blame me?

I went to SoCal this weekend to visit Corey and Katie and I was supposed to leave last night but couldn't. Its too beautiful here.

Its freezing in here Mr. Bigglesworth..

2007-02-10T13:04:00.001-05:00

Let me tell you a little story. It's made up 4 characters...Lauren (pronounced Lore-N), Kodie (KO-d), Bryson (B-love) and Whitney (Uhhh..Whit-NEY). One day Whitney said to Bryson, I've always wanted to go to Montreal. Bryson thought for a bit and said, I have always wanted to go too! And for some reason the four of them agreed to go at the end of January when temperatures were dipping below 0. No one objected to the cold factor, they just decided to go. Plus, they were getting tired of being back in Boston (well at least Whitney was). So, here are some fun illustrations to the Montreal Canadian adventure/random road trip.

So on the way up, I denied knowing any French, for I didnt want to be responsible as the translator when I hadn't spoken French in a long time. Sure, I could read road maps but I didn't want to suffer the wrath of a snooty French Canadian when I had to ask in broken French for directions to the nearest metro stop. When Lauren was reading us the pronounciation guide for common french words and having us guess what they meant, I got them all right. Then Bryson was like, 'whoa, you know a lot of french'. So the cat was out of the bag. And I served as a mediocre translator. Not like we needed it, everyone spoke English there.

Here's a pic of the outside of the Basilique notre dame in Montreal. First built in the 1700s, its been restored numerous times and is GORGEOUS inside. This was one of the highlights...going inside and seeing all the intricate stained glass work. It reminded me a lot of Sainte-Chappelle in Paris, one of my favorite stained glass churches. Lo and behold when I read about the history of the chapel, it was based on Sainte-Chappelle. Dang i'm good.

Interior of Sainte Chappelle.

It was SO cold on Friday when were walking around--- like -20 so we retreated to the underground shopping mall. I was amazed when we walked in the dollar store to find out they had some great things for a buck. I got a fabulous spatula to flip my pancakes with. Bryson and Kodie made out like bandits with their styrofoam swords. Little did we know the extent of the underground mall and tunnels...it covers the whole city...crazy.

Saturday it was so sunny and gorgeous and COLD. Here is a great pic of the ice skaters outside on the frozen lake with the montreal skyline in the background.

I loved some of the buildings in Montreal...lots of French architecture in Vieux Montreal.

For some strange reason, we weren't cold enough walking around so we walked to the river to see all the ice chunks. I've never been so cold in my LIFE.

And I found a swing set to play on.

Couche-tard, the french canadian version of sevie had this hilarious add for slurpees. If you can't tell, those are big balls of fat that are showing the sizes of the cups. I really dont get french canadian advertising. but whatever. It made me laugh. :D

Poutine is a french canadian traditional dish. I dont really know how it survived, but probably the high fat content makes it popular. Its french fries, gravy, cheese, and cheese curds. YUM.

Kodie kept picking up and more and more layers on our journey. I had some fun with the hats.

This is my favorite pic.

When we rolled into Montreal, I saw this mural with fighter planes and canadian geese. I thought it was funny.

Kodie and I freezing our butts off. Check out his expression.

Lauren and I being tourists.

On our first day we were trying to figure out what to do besides sight see. Lauren is getting excited to look up what to do. We kept asking the locals and they were like "uhhh...yeah...in the winter? I dont know..." It was not a good sign and we laughed about how cold it was, again.

This was the first day we came in. It was SO cold. I really can't say that enough. Like really, it was really cold. No foolin'.

This was the first night we were in. See Lauren's breath? That's right. COLD.

Me in front of the Basilique Notre Dame.

Kodie all bundled up.

Okay this sculpture was hilarious. We figured it represented a typical person who lived in Montreal in the winter..."why do i live here!? Its COLD"

Bryson.

We meant to take a pic of the cute houses, but Bryson got all of the gross street in with the dirty cars too. plus you can't even tell how cute we are. *sigh*

Sunday morning it was SO gorgeous. It warmed up a bit...it was like 10 degrees which felt like a heat wave. Here's a beautiful pic of our street bathed in sunshine.

For breakfast we went to L'Avenue which Sirisha told us we had to go to. We got there early b/c we didn't want to wait...and I can safely say it was best eggs benedict I've ever had.

It was poached eggs, the best hollandaise sauce ever made by man, brie, asparagus, roasted eggplant, all over an english muffin. My mouth is still watering when I look at this picture. It was DIVINE.

Lauren got eggs benedict too over a bunch of colorful veggies. So good!

After church on our way out we drove out to Olympic parc to point and laugh at the funny dome with the funny thing on top. Then we drove away and back home to Boston! I can't tell you how greatful I was that it was 38 degrees in boston, which felt like 70. The feeling of warmth only lasted a week and then i was freezing again in boston. Montreal is a beautiful city and I would LOVE to go back in the summer. So my tip: dont go when its freezing. Seriously.

I like Macs But...

2007-02-06T13:01:00.001-05:00

Drum Roll Please...

2007-02-01T12:29:00.001-05:00

I MADE IT.

1870 coke rewards points today, February 1st. It took me a whole year with a LOT of help from all of you, but I got the one free year of blockbuster rentals.

But never fear, the contest continues until APRIL 15th.

So keep sending them. Together we can accomplish great things.

Remember that time...

2007-01-30T01:24:00.002-05:00

Its 130 and I'm not tired. Here goes nothing. I haven't done this since high school.

Thanks Karren for the email. Woop.

1. What time did you get up this morning? 730 am. darn early morning class.
2. Diamonds or pearls? Used to be diamonds, then I saw Blood Diamond. Now its pearls.
3. Single/married/committed? Single
4. What was the last film you saw at the theater? Dreamgirls
5. What is your favorite TV Show? Greys Anatomy. Its a soap opera but I'm all into it. Sorry I am 14 again.
6. What did you have for breakfast? Banana Strawberry Yogurt and a Granola Bar and an ice cold diet coke
7. What is your middle name? Elizabeth
8. What is your favorite cuisine? I love all of them. Really.
9. What foods do you dislike? Scallops weird me out.
10. Favorite Chips? I have pita chips, tostitos with lime, and whole wheat tositos in my kitchen right now.
ll. Favorite CDs? Too many to name. But, for whole albums, lets just say Achtung Baby by U2 never gets old.
l2. What kind of car do you drive? Silver 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee, my pride and joy really
l3. Favorite sandwich? I'm loving tuna melts lately
14. What characteristics do you despise in others? Gossiping is my latest pet peeve
l5. What are your favorite clothes? I live in zip up hoodies and my lucky jeans.
l6. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation? Tahiti sounds fabulous right about now.
l7. What color are your eyes? They used to be brown. Now they are brown with a green circle.
l8. Favorite Fashion Brand? j.crew
l9. Where would you want to retire to? Where the grandkids are.
20. Favorite time of day? Dusk. Just right before the sun sets.
2l. Where were you born? Stanford, CA
22. Favorite sport to watch? I really love college basketball. Then football and baseball. Its so hard to choose.
23. Who do you least expect to send this back? I'm posting this baby on the blog.
24. Person you expect to send it back first? N/A
25. Coke or Pepsi? Diet Coke is my drug of choice.
26. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with everyone? I love road trips.
27. What did you want to be when you were little? the first woman in the NBA
28. What is your best childhood memory? skiing with the fam
29. Did you ever skip school? And then get caught? I did a lot my JR and SR year of high school. But mom let me.
30. Who was your best friend in school? Elementary: Georgia, Middle: Megan, High: Kelsey
3l. Piercing? Ear lobes
32. Ever been to Africa? Indeed. Ghana and Togo and hoping to go more places.
33. Ever been toilet papering? I did in fact TP this past Sunday night.
34. Been in a car accident? Yes.
35. Favorite day of the week? Sunday
36. Favorite restaurant? I love oak city bar & grill back home
37. Favorite flower? Roses. Lets be honest.
38. Favorite flavor of ice cream? Boston Red Sox Peanut Butter Nation
39. How many times did you fail your driver's license test? 0
40. Before this one, from whom did you get your last e-mail? Katie Clifford
41. What store would you choose to max out your credit card? Nieman Marcus
42. Bedtime? 1 or 130 these days
43. Who are you most curious about their responses to this questionnaire? N/A
44. Last person you went out to dinner with? 12 peeps...my brother, glo, carolina, mike, richard, lee, carin, amber, mel, meg, sarah
45. What are you listening to right now? Stellastarr*
46. What are your favorite colors? blue & orange
47. How many tattoos do you have? Zero
48. How many people are you sending this e-mail to? the world wide internet
49. Favorite movies? Fletch
50. Favorite book? The Poisonwood Bible, East of Eden

Break Up

2007-01-29T17:34:00.001-05:00

Dear Charles,

We've had an amazing relationship over these past few months. I discovered you back in March and its been pretty much bliss ever since. When I first started to get to know you I could only see you for short amounts of time because of my law finals, but this summer my love for you grew by leaps and bounds.

This fall I even moved closer to you so we could see each other every day. I can't get over all the fun times we've had. The late night hang outs, the early morning get togethers, and the mid day lunch breaks. I've gotten to see more sides of you this fall as you let me see you everyday with the beautiful weather. Sure, there were other boys in the picture, but I always came back to you.

So, this weekend when I was in Montreal, I contemplated The Break Up. Seriously. I thought, there is no way I can survive this icy, rough, windy patch with you. Although it was so beautiful when I ran with you that day after it snowed, now that you have frozen over it is difficult to be with you everyday. My face freezes when I see you. Literally.

I'm so glad I didn't call it quits because after coming back from Montreal, I realize that you are the only one for me. I can't go to the gym and I really cant find any better running routes that are close to where I live. Running around Boston just doesn't cut it. And the gym is lame. I think I grew a second layer of skin while I was up there because although it was 10 degrees outside when I was with you today, I still stuck with it and loved every minute of the sunshine blinding me off the white snow on your frozen cover.

I think we can get through this winter season together.

I love you Charles River.

Your hopeless romantic runner girl,

Whitney

Christmas time was here...happiness and cheer...

2007-01-25T16:20:00.002-05:00

Before I start this post...one more pic from the roofdeck, taken December 2006.

Isn't that amazing?

So...this Christmas was simply delightful. There is nothing better than spending it with my family. My neices made Christmas so much more fun with their wonder and awe of the season. I was so thankful that I didn't get stuck in Boston after my flight was canceled due to Denver snow. Right when I got there I got to babysit and play with my neices. I could hardly function due to the 8 hours of sleep I had gotten in 3 days so it was funny when Sophie said, "Play with us Auntie Whitney" and I was like "I"m just going to watch". And she insisted again, "No, I need you to play Barbies with us." But then she didn't really get a response because I had already fallen asleep on the floor. (don't tell my sister!) haha.

The Ugly Christmas Sweater Party really got me in the mood for Christmas early since I had it on December 1st. I just had to post a couple more pictures. I was so proud of my little pine swag that Liz helped me put up the banister with lights.

The day I got to SLC my 5 year old neice Sophie played the violin for us.

Haley (3) playing innocent.
:)

A couple days after recovering, we all went out to see the lights at Temple Square. I think that last time I actually went to see the lights was when I was 6 or 7 so this was quite fun. It was SO COLD though.

Here is James and JB with his brother in law and Jame's cousin Jerad and Owen. James, my nephew, is the green bundle.

SLC Temple.

Purty lights.

Mom and Hales in front of the pink lights.

Me and Sophie.

Oh I miss her.

We took a bunch of pics of Christmas day, but Cam has all of them. I was so proud of my apple pie I baked for Christmas Dinner. It was beautiful and oh so good. I got really sick right after Christmas so I couldn't go skiing for a couple days...finally I got to go up with the whole fam.

Cam and I on the way up to Alta.

My favorite part about driving up to Alta/Snowbird is seeing all the trees caked with ice/snow. So gorgeous!

Snowbird and little cottonwood canyon have a special place in my heart because we went there every year for a week growing up. My favorite part of the drive up the canyon was seeing the HUGE rock with little sticks under it like it was being held up. People still put sticks there and its still funny to me after all these years.

Welcome to a piece of heaven on earth.

It was a perfect sunny day. A little cold but still perfect.

One of my favorite parts about skiing is the hiking up places to get fresh powder and skiing through the trees. For me the rush of going fast, going down steep runs, and dodging rocks is just as fun as stopping to check out the beautiful views and enjoying the beauty of all the mountains.

In the late afternoon fog started to roll in the canyon from the valley. So cool.

mom.

OK so I did a lot more in SLC than just ski a few days...but I have no pics to share...

Here was my favorite pic of the whole trip...my neices helping me leave.

Atherton Police Blotter

2007-01-11T16:19:00.001-05:00

The Palo Alto Daily News, the free local newspaper, was always good for a laugh when browsing the police beat section. In high school reading the police beat section was one of my favorite pastimes. Yesterday proved no different when my mom and I laughed so hard we had to sit down on the sidewalk in downtown menlo park as passerbys commented,

"Its good to see two ladies laugh like that in public" and

"I've never seen anyone laugh so hard".

Here is what we encountered when we faced the police beat.

Atherton
MONDAY

Atherton Avenue at Alameda de las Pulgas, 8:01 a.m.: A woman taking her child to school in a red convertible claimed that someone in a blue Mercedes was tailgating her and yelling profanities. An officer was unable to locate the Mercedes.

200 block of Alameda de las Pulgas, 9:25 a.m: Someone illegally dumped a couch and numerous bags near a school.

200 block of Alameda de las Pulgas, 12:09 p.m.: Someone threw something at a woman's vehicle. The motorist told police she was "shook up".

100 block of Fair Oaks Lane, 1:42 p.m.: A poodle and a black dog were barking. The area was quiet by the time an officer arrived at the scene.

First block of Ralston Road, 11:27 p.m.: A unknown type of "critter" was making a ruckus on the roof of a house. An officer was unable to locate the "critter".

That was the docket for Monday.

My favorite though was from my senior year of high school. I remember it clearly. "In Atherton" "A baby was allegedly found in a dumpster. Upon further inspection, it turned out to be a burrito."

I'm still laughing.

The Pats

2007-01-08T01:41:00.001-05:00

I don't think they can beat SD, but I'm going to root for them anyway.

I love the playoffs.

Vacay

2007-01-07T23:07:00.001-05:00

I can't believe I've been in CA for 5 days now. Its flown by although I feel like I've done nothing at all. A lil' recap for y'all on what i've been up to since I've been home in CA.

Tues night: Flight from hell, I was supposed to get in at 950, didn't get in till 1145. But thankfully I was picked up by my best friend Sara and we went straight to In and Out and I enjoyed a cheeseburger at 12:15.

Wed: Woke up early, walked the dish with Karren, Stacks banana-pecan waffle, and then the Haight for fun tshirts. Then down to Los Gatos for Chile Verde from David and banana ice cream which changed my life. After eating too much we settled down and watched Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2. Edited, of course but oh so good. This was pretty much an awesome day.

Thurs: Woke up late, went on a run around the neighborhood, picked up Sar in my mom's X5, went to In and Out, then went to the Pursuit of Happyness (highly recommended!). Then hung out at Sara's house and had dinner there and talked till my parents came home. As much as I loved having the house to myself I was so happy to have company, especially at night.

Fri: Woke up early, brisk walk with mom around the hood, up to UCSF to see my favorite endocrinologist who reminded me that life working at a law firm is hard, then off to Union Square in SF where we spent a lot of time at the Last Call Sale at Neiman Marcus. I scored big time. I found a pair of AG jeans for $57 that were originally $168. I also got a couple other things which I'm REALLY excited about. I got an Elie Tahari skirt, a white diane von frustenberg blouse, and a cute black and white Cynthia Steffe cardigan. After finding great deals we had lunch at the Rotunda restaurant.

The interior is stunning.

We had this amazing view out on Union Square.

The Rotunda serves you hot fresh popovers with strawberry butter. Oh so good.

I got the Beef Tenderloin Salad with organic mixed lettuce, asian pears, daikon radish sprouts, and spicy korean BBQ dressing. It was amazing. My mom had the seafood cobb. We were quite happy with our selections.

After lunch I poked around the cosmetics counter and then I was off to Niketown were I took back the jacket my brother got me and found a new running jacket that I cant wait to wear in Boston. It has a cool pouch where I can put my Nano and string my earphones through the sleeve.

We then went to Zara where they were having a great sale (one more skirt was purchased) and then we went to Burberry where my mom picked up a fabulous jacket.

Needless to say, our little morning trip to SF turned out to be an all day affair. We didn't get back till 630 pm.

That night I supervised Karren cleaning her room and I got to play elf for the night with her apartment gift from Santa.

Sat: I went down to Los Gatos for breakfast with Gordon. We went to Southern Kitchen which I had heard so much about. I didn't think it could live up to its hype but it really did. The hot chocolate piled high with whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles was the perfect start to the meal. The denver omelette was SO good doused in hot sauce. I can't wait for a return visit to try the banana-blueberry pancakes.
After breakfast the Thomas' were generous enough to let me lounge at their place to work off the food coma. Lounging turned into an all day affair when David decided to make dark chocolate coconut macademian nut cookies that were to die for. I stayed until 530 chatting and giggling over a book about giant squids. Dont ask. Actually you should ask. :)
Sat night I watched football and Thank You For Smoking. (I dont recommend that movie, I thought it was really stupid).

Sun: I went to my home ward and the Stanford singles ward so I went to 6 hours of church. But I loved it. My mom's lesson was touching and really deep. I'm so excited to study the new testament this year. After church was more football and we had crab for dinner. Oh so tasty.

Now i'm off to game night at karrens. Im so glad I get to stay here another week. Does life get better than this?

Without Me, It's Just Aweso

2007-01-04T03:58:00.001-05:00

Nuff Said.