Fortunately, Unfortunately

Have you ever played the game "Fortunately, Unfortunately"? Here's my afternoon in that style:

I was sitting at my desk.
Unfortunately, I was very hungry.
Fortunately, I had a fiber bar in my desk.
Unfortunately, fiber bars are gross.
Fortunately, I was too hungry to care.
Unfortunately, I dropped a chocolate chip.
Fortunately, it was just a little one.
Unfortunately, it fell on my chair.
Unfortunately, I didn't see it.
Unfortunately, I sat on it.
Unfortunately, chocolate melts when exposed to body heat.
Unfortunately, I got a large chocolaty smear on my chair.
Unfortunately, it was also all over my bum.

Suck.

Babe Magnet

I work at the University of Utah and I had to run up to campus today for a quick errand. When I was up there, I was reminded one of the reasons why I love college boys: they wear so much cologne. I'm just strolling along and one of those young bucks walks by and--BOOM--what is that wonderful aroma? I don't know if it's just me, but when I smell overkill Hugo Boss or Acqua Di Gio, I feel all giddy and flirty like I'm 17-years-old.

This is actually really embarrassing. I can't believe I'm telling you all this.

I done been tagged.

20 Years Ago...

1. I was 4.

2. I was living in Garland, Texas and was completely jealous of my sister who got to go to kindergarten.

3. I was beginning to develop my life-long love affair with books by forcing my dad to read the same book over and over and over. I don't remember what it was called, but it had a blue cover.

10 Years Ago...

1. I was 14.

2. I was living in Richardson, Texas and was completely jealous of my sister who got to go to high school.

3. I discovered that blue eyeshadow is not a glamor guarantee.

5 Years Ago...

1. I was 19.

2. I was recovering from my 8-month stint in Idaho (bad idea).

3. I was called to the Primary Presidency in my ward and began pursuing a preschool/child-related career.

2 Years Ago..

1. I was 22.

2. I was in love .

3. I was killing myself working two jobs and going to school.

1 Year Ago...

1. I was 23.

2. I was looking for a new job.

3. I had a crush on (embarrassed whimper) Riley Jensen. That's right, folks. I used to totally dig that guy. You may now commence the mocking.

So Far This Year I...

1. Have been supremely happy.

2.Have moved in with a bunch of crazy people (love you, ladies!).

3. Have seen my mom 3 times! I love Southwest!

Yesterday I...

1. Sat in on 2 evaluations of candidates for my boss' job.

2. Started unpacking from my trip and didn't get very far at all.

3. Had some delicious Chinese food and decided if I ever am reincarnated, I want to come back in Imperial China and give the guy who invented Kung Pao chicken a high-five.

Today I...

1. Went to a Relief Society leadership mingle.

2. Ate a fiber bar for the first time (not good idea).

3. Stayed up way too late blogging about my life 20, 10, 5, 2, and 1 years ago.

Tomorrow I...

1. Will have lunch with Lizzy.

2. Will go see my friend Pablo.

3. Will get to work on time (probably not).

I tag: anyone who hasn't yet done this (I always seem to be the last one on these tag-rotations).

The Why Factor

People have been asking me why I'm looking for a new car since I really love my Rodeo. I've had so much fun in that little baby. But it's become a bit of a financial burden to cruise around town in an SUV, especially since I have an hour commute each day. I'm kinda jumping into the conversation a bit late, but what the heck is up with gas prices?

I Heart Versas

I'm in the market for a new car. I really, really like the Nissan Versa, but I'm not setting my heart on anything until I do a bit more research. Isn't it cute, though?

Maryland Trip

I spent the past 5 days in Maryland with my family. It was the first time all the kids were together in about 3 years. It was so fun to spend time together! We had a wonderful 4th of July. We went fishing in the morning and spent most of the afternoon playing water-kickball. We had a yummy barbecue for dinner and then set off fireworks and played games into the wee hours of the morning. Every time I visit my family I come back to my "real life" very reluctantly. Sometimes I'm so tempted to just pick up and move out there.

I have pictures of the trip which I will post soon. Well, as soon as I find the cord that connects my camera to the computer. Please, please tell me I didn't leave it in Maryland.

Derby Fun!

Mike, Liz, Keith and I went to the West Jordan Demolition Derby on Saturday night. I was surprised by how entertaining it was to watch cars just run into each other. Later that night I wanted to try out some of the moves we saw at the derby, but Keith vetoed that idea vehemently. Here are some shots of the night:

Crash!

Crunch!

Liz & Mike

Me & Keith

Hey, here's even a video! (This technology thing is off the chain.)

O beautiul, for spacious skies.

Have I ever told you guys how much I LOVE the Fourth of July? It's everything good about summer rolled up into one great day. Flags and patriotism and watermelon and fireworks and hot dogs. And no offense to Christmas, but I think it's the best holiday ever.

I was raised in a very patriotic family and we took it "to the max," as the kids say, on the 4th. I'm so excited that I get to spend this year's Independence Day with my family.

(This is the 4th, Texas-style.)

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

Sometimes I get really emotional over silly things, like batteries.

Wednesday morning I was rushing off to work, a few minutes behind schedule, naturally, half a bagel in my mouth and my overflowing bag slung over my shoulder. I was mentally going over everything I needed to get done that day, quite a few errands, an appointment that night, also people over for dinner, plus a licensing visit at work—basically, I had a lot on my mind. I quickly stashed my stuff in the passenger’s side, hopped in and started the car. Except that it didn’t start. It just made this weird clicking noise (think woodpecker) but the engine wouldn’t turn over. I just stared at the dashboard saying, “You have got to be kidding me!” over and over. I think I even punched the steering wheel a couple times. (Not good idea.)

I called my dad, and as soon as I heard his voice, the tears started brimming. If you were a bystander listening to just my side of the conversation you would have heard something like this, punctuated with heavy sniffles:

“Well, I don’t know, Daddy! . . . . Where is that? . . . .It just looks black. . . Black, like black metal? . . . On the what? . . . Where’s the battery? . . . . Yeah, it’s greenish . . . No, it clicks . . . But I have to go to work! I have to! . . . Okay.”

Dejectedly I walked back in the house, just as my roommate Karen was leaving. She says “Doin’ all right?”

And I just lose it.

“No!” I wail, “I have to go to work and my car won’t start and my dad says that I need to take it somewhere and I don’t know how to do that because it won’t even start and I just really don’t want to deal with this right now and I want to trade this car in but now they’re not going to take it because it doesn’t even run and my boss is going to be so irritated with me if I don’t get my bum there right now!”

Karen, not really knowing how to process my extreme run-on vortex of emotion, says, “So, do you want a ride to work, or what?”

I got to work (thanks, Karen!) and spent the next hour getting a hold on my very silly emotions.

Later that night, Mike was over and we tried jumping the battery, but it didn’t work and I was assuming the worst: well, I need a new engine.

Luckily, before I did anything rash like pushing car down hill into ditch, Brad came over and blessed us with a display of his automobile know-how and robust machismo. It was just the battery after all, and after a mere $73 at Checker, Brad got us all fixed up and ready to go.

Thank you so much, Brad and the nice lady at Checker for keeping the store open for us.

Crisis averted. Good thing nobody “overreacted.”

JAMESY-POO!

Happy nineteenth, kiddo! You are amazing. I love being your big sister!