If I ever do this...shoot me

But I did find this REALLY hilarious.

So I'm 4 years behind

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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!

Confessions

• 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

Nope. It's just my adorable nieces.

I.R. Pissed

Fletch is my favorite comedy of all time.

Instant Messaging from Another Room

I seriously love gtalk. Especially for moments like this.

All the Leaves Are Brown

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.