The Mind of a Gus

Change....

2010-10-13T17:56:00.002-07:00

To all of you readers, I am moving URLs ...
I know this may come as an inconvenience to you {especially if you use google reader or rss} but it is the only life changing event that I can afford right now in my life.
Please join me at my new blog

Mind of a gus
http://mindofagus.blogspot.com/

You will have a special treat if you do go there, you will find out why I am a Gus.

Thank you for all of the times you've read my piddly blog and supported me through the last two years. I look forward to posting more frequent and gaining your trust back!

See you soon!

Euphoria

2010-10-05T19:15:00.006-07:00

I just had the perfect moment of euphoria.
This moment came as I got in my car to come to class tonight.
It had rained all day and finally got down to 69 degrees so I decided to sport a sweatshirt for the first time this season. That alone could have evoked my moment of euphoria but it wasn't.
Bath and Body works just came out with their fall line of scents which means that I could get a refill for my car air-freshener and I got "Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin".... mmm

Can you imagine that?
Cold and rainy,
Sweater attired,
and Christmas sent filled nostrils!

It was perfect... until I looked down and saw an all too familiar sight

Check Engine
No Oil Pressure stop car now
No Gas

Need I say that the distance between euphoria and dysphoria is small! ! !

New York, New York!!!

2010-10-02T13:41:00.005-07:00

Two months ago, I was in New York City with my dear friend Camille.
We went for the BlogHer conference that was held in Manhattan.
As you know from reading my blog, I am no devout blogger and really had no place with an entire hotel full of die-hard, devout, multi-weekly bloggers.
I did learn a lot and walked away wishing I had the motivation to blog more.
Our days were jam packed with blog related workshops, panels, food, and parties. You might ask why I went... well, my heart has a firm devotion and love to Broadway. As busy as we were, we found time to sneak out, stand in line, and buy tickets to at least one show.

After a very confusing confrontation with the ticket booth lady, Camille and I walked a block back to the hotel with our tickets in hand.

Our sneaking, waiting, and confrontationing, was well worth it because we got student rush tickets to Promises, Promises. This is a very new show and only few have seen it. We were privileged to not only see it, but see it in New York with it's original cast.
WHAT A STEAL!!!

Bazinga! That is not the real steal we walked away with... After the show, Camille and I waited along with hundreds of others to see Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes in person.

There, in the blue shirt is Sean Hayes himself.
and....
yes, this is her in the flesh!
She signed my Playbill and said "you're welcome" in response to my feeble "thank you".

This in an experience of a life time and it only cost me 30 bucks!!!

1/4 of 100 years old

2010-09-22T00:28:00.003-07:00

This morning I was thinking what to write in a Birthday card to my dear friend Camille. And it reminded me that after high School, we went to Disneyland together. It was the best time I ever had at Disneyland. No lines, eating pp&j while under the protective roof of Pirates of the Caribbean, eating Rosa's tomatillo salsa in the car, pulling over for imagined flat tires, finding random dentures, eating free oranges, and splurging to eat at the Blue Bayou.

We said that we wanted to make a tradition of coming when we were 25 and then every 5 years after.

I am turning 25 this year.

That sudden reminder brought a waft of melancholy over me today.

I remember the imagined 25 self and to see the actual 25 year old self is a little...

It's a love hate relationship...

2010-09-17T21:17:00.005-07:00

I remember the day my life changed, like it was yesterday. (Now envision that the remainder of this post is in a hazy dull colored memory cloud)

My best friend was down from good ol' Alberta for the summer (ironic, I know) and we were doing a little shopping. We were at Ross looking for some steals and my phone rang. It was my brother, Adam. He said he was getting an iphone and wanted me to go in on a family plan with him.

Just the thought of having my very own iphone made me forget that I am up to my eyeballs in debt, have a job that pays me way less than I had hoped, have never paid my own cell phone bill, am no longer receiving student loans and will need to start paying those back come January. So I said yes without hesitation (actually, there was a little hesitation but not quite enough).

Now, I am a proud owner of an iphone 4.
I made this purchase on a whim, knowing that my house is a black whole for cell phone coverage. We had to cancel many contracts because we couldn't handle all the missed calls.
I just prayed that we would get coverage with At&t. . . that was to no avail, because I have lost just about every call I have ever taken inside my house. This is no fault of the cell phone (I know it has a bad rep on the consumer report) and all to do with At&t. I haven't lost calls anywhere else but inside my house. Let me tell you, this is FRUSTRATING.

Frustrating enough to give back my iphone?
NO
Frustrating enough to collect my FREE case knowing it won't help my situation?
YES!

To make up a little for their bad rep, my pal Steve announced that he'd give everyone a free case:

If you purchased an iPhone 4 before September 30, 2010, follow these steps to receive an iPhone 4 Bumper or a select third-party case from Apple at no charge.

Download the iPhone 4 Case Program app from the App Store.
Launch the app on your iPhone 4 and sign in using your iTunes Store account or Apple ID.
Select your Bumper or case.

For iPhone 4 purchases made before July 23, 2010, you must apply no later than August 22, 2010; otherwise, you must apply within 30 days of your iPhone 4 purchase. To qualify for this program, you must purchase your iPhone 4 by September 30, 2010.

I followed these instructions.

This was the easiest free thing that I have ever acquired! No driving all around town with coupons, no early morning garage saleing, no "with a little paint...", just one itsy bitsy tap of the finger and POOF! A free case.

The hardest part was deciding which to get. You see, I believe it is a tragedy to cover any part of the iphone 4. It is beautiful! Have you seen it? It is sleek, smooth, shiny... WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD COVER IT UP???

I wanted a clear bumper case. But there wasn't one, so I decided to go with the clear wrap around case. How could I go wrong, it's free?!

The official price tag at goincase.com is $34.95. Or in other words 41 Diet Dr. Peppers from QT.

*** This post is in correlation with Camille over at Archive of Our Lives.

The end of an era...

2010-08-24T18:26:00.004-07:00

Awesome Steal of the WEEK!!!

After reading I Heart Monster's steel of some books a or so ago, I was reminded that I needed to pre-order my Mocking Jay book!

Promptly I ordered it.
Got it on sale for $8.50
AND got free shipping just for pre-ordering!

As if that wasn't a good enough deal as it is, It was the best deal to come home on a bad day, having totally forgotten about ordering it and have it sitting there ready to cheer me up! .

Have I Eaten? Have I Prayed? Have I Loved?

2010-07-08T21:44:00.003-07:00

Has every step of my life really been taken blindly?

Sometimes as I go from step to step it seems like I'm getting on and off the bucket seat of the haunted mansion ride at Disneyland. It just flows one, even, steady, emotionless speed. The path has an array of aesthetic effects but the flow stays the same. You can start and never stop. The beginning is a running start and the end (if you recognize it) is a running jump. If there weren't an employee there to tell you to get off you would literally go on for ever in the same melancholy motions. on...see...hear...feel...repeat...

Every decision in my life, I haven't had to make, things just happen. High school comes and goes, friends are placed in my path, job opportunities come, applications to college are accepted, favors are asked, love is found, love is lost, money is given, money is taken, rules come and go... I always just took it as fate. They offered me the job? I have to take it, fate gave me this opportunity. I got into that school? Well, I have to go there, the fates want me there. So-and-so likes me? I have to like him back, the fates want it.... If fate didn't want these things to happen, they wouldn't have come up. RIGHT???

It's almost like I'm a horse that takes people on the same path every day all day, and today, I am boringly taking it again. Today though, I get done with one round and feel this overwhelming sense of excitement that today will be the day for my real adventure. Only to find out it's the same dang path masked in a tropical climate or a fancy outfit.

I read today that "it's better to live your destiny imperfectly than live an imitation of someone else's life perfectly."

I think that up to this point in my life I have lived an imitated life as perfect as possible and don't have any clue what MY destiny is.When I try and imagine a change in speed or a directional change that would enhance the ride, I don't know what I'd do or even if I should do anything different. I really don't know who I am. What do I love to do? What are my passions? What would make ME happy? What makes my life, MY LIFE?

2010-06-27T21:36:00.003-07:00

This post is part of saturday steals from my pal, camille's blog...

So, knowing my dad has been the best blessing of my life!
He has connections everywhere. At all the college job fairs they always say
NETWORK NETWORK NETWORK!
But I have my dad and he covers it all.

Some people were moving into a smaller apartment from a house and wanted to get rid of some furniture. Instead of selling it on Craig's list to make at least a little gas money, they just gave it to my dad.

It has been sitting in my garage for a while. I Painted one book shelf a while ago and have loved the addition to my life. Now, I painted a little hutch thing and a second shorter book shelf and they have completed my life.

Deal of the century:

FREE

This is the first tall book case. The second I haven't put a clear coat on yet, so it is still in the garage... it is the same in style and make, just a little shorter and more narrow.

I haven't really decorated the top of this, I just threw some stuff on top so it didn't look so barren. {Also, the green lap and shade are a sneak peak for next week...}

All three good things were a nasty light wood color and they had a little musty smell to them. Now, they are beautiful and smell delightful.
{the finishing spray I got has a distinct candy like smell?}

So, the final cost was really only approximately $27 due to the paint that I had to but to paint it with. It would have probably been cheaper to buy a gallon of black paint however, I have yet to venture to liquid paint on furniture projects. Has anyone tried that? How does it bode?

Photo Friday!!!

2010-05-13T22:55:00.001-07:00

Here is the love of my life!!!

2010-05-08T19:34:00.003-07:00

I hit the proverbial jack pot today!

50% 0ff of $14.99!

(The photos aren't the best, they were taken on photo both in a room with very little lighting...)

But what a deal deal deal!

Photo Friday!!!

2010-05-07T11:58:00.004-07:00

I do not believe in reincarnation. You could maybe talk me into believing in half reincarnation. You see, if all dogs go to heaven then all insects go to heaven and how could there be a heaven big enough for the billions and trillions of ants, worms, spiders, and roaches that have ever been on the earth? So, insects I could see the need to reincarnate them (especially since we kill them every chance we get) but humans, no way.

That is, until my neice was born. For her entire 19 months of existence, I have sworn that she is a spitting immage of my grandma:

GENIEL OLIVE HALE GROVER FARNSWORTH.

My grandma had a suit just like the one Rachel is wearing in that photo. However, I couldn't find a photo with grandma in it. You might not see the resemblance here but truly they even have the same mannerisms. {Which is weird because they don't even share blood, my mom was adopted...} It is only fitting that the two people that I love most in the world are exactly alike!

2010-05-04T22:56:00.001-07:00

I love to travel.

I love to see things and be places that I have only ever seen on tv, in my imagination, or in a book.
{In fact, I took a job I disliked for 9 months just so that I could get flight benefits.}

I think I acquired my love for travel on my first trip somewhere far; Alaska. When I was in jr. high, my grandma took me on an Alaskan cruise with her. That wasn't the first time I had been on a plane but the first trip I had taken that wasn't to Disneyland. {don't get me wrong I would go to Disneyland every month [except July because it is dang hot] if i could}.

Since I love traveling so much, I took it upon myself to go everywhere and see everything. There are many places that I have yet to visit. However, there is a handful of places I have been.

{this post is juts to tell where I've been, not really why, when, or how...}

***18 STATES:

ALASKA

CALIFORNIA

FLORIDA

IDAHO

ILLINOIS

IOWA

MISSOURI

MONTANA

(We did stop and eat at an applebee's, so it counts.)

NEBRASKA

NEVADA

(Tahoe)

(Las Vegas)
NEW JERSEY

NEW MEXICO

NEW YORK

(First time)

(Second Time)
OKLAHOMA

(Ok, so this is the only photo not mine. I went when I was small and couldn't find a photo.)

SOUTH CAROLINA

TEXAS

UTAH

WASHINGTON

***8 COUNTRIES:
AUSTRALIA

BRASIL

CANADA

ENGLAND

FRANCE

MEXICO

NEW ZEALAND

SPAIN

(I know the Rock of Gibraltar is not property of Spain, however, it is located in Spain {plus I stayed 10 days in other places of Spain this was just the best picture on hand}).

Best Deal EVER!!!!

2010-05-01T03:31:00.004-07:00

Since November, I have been standing on the street corner every day holding up a sign that says "I will work for free". Ok, not literally but I felt like I was because I was working at an internship and I received 6 credit hours at asu, got great training, made great friends, fell in love (with the non-profit world, not a man...), but never got a single pay check. I wasn't bitter about it, it was just hard, 5 months without any income (need I say, I have more debt than I did 5 months ago...).

When I saw a letter from my new job on the counter, I had no idea what to expect. But when I opened it, to my surprise, there was a CHECK!!! Yes I knew this was a job and I would be getting paid, but I had gotten so used to working and not getting paid, that I forgot the thrill of actually getting one.

So, my Saturday steal was a steal indeed! A paycheck. I got paid for something that I had been doing the last 5 months for free!!! YAY payroll!

Photo Friday!!!

2010-04-29T18:38:00.005-07:00

I don't think that I ever posted many photos of Brazil. . .

As a missionary, I lived in Sao Paulo Brazil for 18 months. Everything about my time there was a roller coaster as you will see.

This is President Bertasso my mission President and his wife Sister Bertasso. They took care of me and became my family away from home.

I was in a bairro Casa Verde for 9 months. I loved it there! IT was a huge city with lots of hills, lots of diversity, and some amazing views.

Located in Casa Verde is a little juice and burger shop called pilecinhos. It was the freshest coldest drinks you could find and they were cheap! We spent the last 4 bucks in our pocket on some cold drinks to keep us hydrated!

The last 6 weeks I was there I lived in a little town and walked dirt roads all around!

MSPN
Missao Sao Paulo Norte

Being Mormon

2010-04-27T10:38:00.002-07:00

I am taking a religion in America class this semester. We had to write this paper about our religious beliefs. As I wrote it, I actually found out things about myself that I hadn't really noticed before. So, I am going to give you all the pleasure of reading my paper. I know that the only people who read this blog are people who know me and know that I am Mormon. However, on the off chance that someone who doesn't know me is reading I wanted you to know a little about my beliefs and how they have made me the person I am today.

***

Both my mother and father were raised as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon). This in turn led to me being raised as LDS. While I was growing up I hated to be associated with the title of “Mormon”. At school it was filled with many negative connotations so it was embarrassing when people found out. As an awkward jr. high student I didn’t need to add to the fire by openly sharing that I was Mormon, so I didn’t. I would participate in the church activities that my family participated in and would do what was expected of me but I would do all I could to not use the same phrases or do the things that the average Mormon did so I couldn’t be picked out of a crowd as being Mormon.

One day I realized if I hate being associated as a Mormon, why am I Mormon? This brought me to a realization that I needed to look further into what the LDS church actually taught. I needed to find out if I was a follower because I believed it or because it was the easy thing to do. At that point I realized it was just the easy way out. This was the road with the least amount of work because I didn’t have to look, search, and decide. That wasn’t enough for me any more. I wasn’t going to be “ashamed of the gospel of Christ” if it wasn’t something I even wanted to be apart of. This started a new course in life for me. I began to soul search. I read the Book of Mormon along with the Bible. I wrote notes and really tried to learn about Christ and His teachings. I had to put aside the teachings that I had been taught at Sunday school from childhood so that I could see it for myself through my own inspiration and not someone else’s colored glasses.

Through this process I gained a relationship with my Heavenly Father through prayer. I got to know His will and could feel His hand in my life. This answered the question of whether or not I believed in a God and in Christ. Yes, there is a God and Jesus Christ lives. I knew that for myself through the feelings associated with my prayers. This still didn’t answer for me though if I could believe in a generic God for say or if one church could be more correct than another. Again, I tackled this with reading about the history of the time and places encompassing Joseph Smith. I felt that if I could understand him and his situation I could then better go to God in prayer and receive an answer if Joseph Smith did see God and Jesus Christ. As I learned and prayed about Joseph Smith, I knew that he was no ordinary man. That he was selected by God to restore His church. It is impossible to say how I know this or explain to anyone else why God would chose to help me understand this.

Because I went through this process on my own without someone pushing me or putting their own beliefs on me, I am comfortable in believing the way I do. I am happy that I know for myself what I am doing and why I am doing it. I am no longer ashamed to be associated with the “Mormon’s”. I will say, however, that I am not the stereotypical Mormon. I make my decisions based on knowledge and direction from Heavenly Father. I don’t decided when to get married, who to marry, or how many children to have based on Mormon tradition. Mormon tradition does flow strongly though so it is rough to stick out but it is worth it to do what I know and feel to be correct for me instead of doing it because it is commonplace.

Through my search for a God, I found that I was going to stay in the religion that I was raised in. Is that by coincidence? I don’t know and I may never know. I thought at the beginning that staying Mormon would be the easy way out. Well, it is far from being easy. I have had so many experiences that were the hardest things that I have done in my life and I did them as a Mormon for my Heavenly Father. The hardest thing was when I spent 18 months in Brazil as a missionary. Those 18 months were the most powerful in my life because I had to rely on the Lord to get me through them. I didn’t know the language, I wasn’t used to walking 15+ miles a day, I wasn’t used to working without pay from morning to night… But the Lord picked me up when I couldn’t pick myself up. Another example is working in my calling. In each congregation or ward, the organizations need to be “staffed” with those from the congregation on a volunteer basis. The Bishop will pray about each position that needs filled and ask God who would best help in a specific position. When you are asked to fill that position, it is referred to as a “calling”. Currently, I am the President in charge of 14 girls between the ages of 12 and 18. I have a presidency that plans an hour lesson for Sunday, a 90 minute activity for Wednesday and countless other activities that we feel will strengthen these young women have an experience where they can learn they are doing this for themselves and not for someone else. This is not easy; it requires a lot of my physical time and is also mentally taxing. I worry and stress over these young ladies and hope that I am doing the best I can to make sure the Lord’s will is being done.

I thought that by doing some soul searching I would find an answer that would change my life. My answer did change my life completely but it didn’t change my religion, it changed how I lived my religion. I am so happy that I chose to find out for myself about what I believed. This has lead to a life that has been shaped by the hand of a loving father in heaven who wouldn’t lead me down a path that was wrong.

***

In a nut shell, that is why I am still Mormon. If you would like to know more, go to mormon.org where you can find answers about Mormonism and also order a Book of Mormon to be delivered to you.

Saturday Steals

2010-04-25T21:26:00.004-07:00

I decided I want to start doing Saturday Steals, however, I forgot... So, I am mending my ways and submitting it late.

My deal is due to the over stocking of merchandise for the most jolly holiday of the year: Christmas.

I love to go to the after Christmas sales. Especially at craft stores, they have crafty things that are cute and not really Christmasy but because the label says it was a Christmas item, I get them 80% off (or more!)

These deals were found in January at Michael's Craft stores.

1.) Tall stemmed hurricane vases. Originally $27/ Clearance price $7.49
2.) Short stemmed hurricane cases. Originally $19/ Clearance price $3.99
3.) Boxes of cute frosted fruits. Originally $9.99/ Clearance price $1.99

I have had to decorate quite a few events with these centerpieces and it has just added such an elegant flair!

I love these a ton and I love deals, so as long as I can remember to post I will show I am the queen of deals!

the perfect pair

2010-04-22T01:56:00.001-07:00

What are we going to do when the appendage to our little finger is gone???

PARIS

2010-02-10T00:14:00.007-07:00

It's been a long time coming, however, I finally got some photos up of the coldest vacation ever!!!

DAY 1

DAY 2
Day 3

DAY 4

DAY 5

DAY 6

DAY 7

DAY 8

THIS IS MY MOST FAVOURITE PHOTO I TOOK. I WAS SO PROUD OF IT. TOO BAD THERE IS A PERSON IN IT, BUT YOU CAN'T WIN THEM ALL...

Gone with the wind...

2010-01-29T17:11:00.002-07:00

Today, I cut 8 inches off of my hair.
It was long and just causing me trouble.
I loved it, but was ready for something easier.

I know I owe you paris pictures... but I don't have those on my computer yet.
So, I will share with you pictures of the new do....drum roll please!

minha fofinha

2009-12-22T18:44:00.000-07:00

I have the most perfect niece in the world.

RACHEL,

is the love of our lives. She has the whole family wrapped around her little finger.
There are between 9 and 10 people that live in our house and the smallest one knows that she runs the place. I think that is why she started walking a little early. I mean how can you be authoritative when you are crawling, she had to walk to be able to be in charge.

Well, no matter how bossy it is, she is still minha fofinha and I lover her so so so much.
She just turned 1 October 9th and proved that she not only is the queen of the place but also that she is the cutest and smartest thing in the world!

She thought she would like the strawberries but they were tart according to her facial expression!

She loved to show us what she got...

I've gone green and red

2009-10-27T02:35:00.003-07:00

Everything about the Christmas season makes me happy. As we know from a recent post.
So, I took it upon myself to decorate for Christmas. Yes, I know it has yet to pass halloween.
I have, however, decided that I am not a Halloween fan, I would much rather have three months of the Christmas season than one of Halloween and one of thanksgiving.

My motto isn't to just "go green" but to "go green and red!!!"

I have yet to put up the tree but there is a place awaiting the arival of the main focus. We have an old balding fake tree that we have used for 4ish years. Before that, we always had real trees. We have decided to go back to a real tree and infuse our house with the wonderful smell of fresh pine. This, however, is a feat since trees don't last too long. We have decided to get a tree from a nursery and plant it after Christmas but even a potted plant, will it survive the inside for that long?

Well, we shall just have to wait and see. But either way, I think I want to put tinsel on the tree. I always thought it was tacky, but I love how it looks in that picture of my childhood. I don't know though...?

Two of my favorite things

2009-10-19T19:04:00.003-07:00

I love few things in this world.
The majority of the things on my love list are things that are unconditional, like my family. Anything else on the list, has had to make it through the thick barbed wire wall around my heart and has to work hard to stay in there.
Two of those things that have made it in and have never been kicked out....

Christmas Time

and

Cabbage Patch Dolls.

Without a doubt, these two loves of mine could make me happy on the worst of days.
Why do I love these things? Let's look into this a little more...

Christmas time has many variables of happiness:

MUSIC- Constant Christmas music. For the most part Christmas music brings up Christ and his birth. I love the fact that living in the world we do, we can still hear about Christ as we drive to work and school. The few that don't mention Christ but focus on Santa are still happy because they stir up memories of a childhood that was so much more simple than "adult" life.
SMELL- There are so many smells that are equated with Christmas. First and foremost, the smell of a fresh pine tree (just pretending to breath it in makes me fill with happiness). Peppermint is readily abundant during the Christmas season; it is put in baked goods, Starbucks hot chocolate, my bath and body works hand soap, candles... Pumpkin spice in a pie or in scented candles makes me feel warm and tingly inside. I could go on and on...
CHIMES - the sound of giving and the official start of the season is when there are people standing out side the grocery store with a bell and a red hanging bucket collecting donations for the salvation army.
GIVING- I love finding things that are special and meaningful to give those I love. It is fun to think of something unique that my siblings will get a kick out of. I also love being able to help those who are struggling {When I was a junior in High school, I was in charge of getting the gifts for a family that we adopted for Christmas. My good friend Camille and I went shopping with the donated money and we picked out things that we thought each of the children would like and need. We then wrapped them and delivered them. That was one of the most gratifying moments of my life. To see the love that this family felt for those who were willing to extend a helping hand. The smiles on their faces were priceless.}
COLD - It never really gets cold here in Arizona, but for a full blood Arizonan who has never lived in a cooler climate, it is amazingly cold when it gets 50 degrees F out side. That is the one time of the year that I can use my cute coats, scarves, long sleeved shirts, and boots. (which consists of more than half of my wardrobe. You would think that since there are more summer months than winter ones, I would have more summer clothes, but alas I love my winter clothes!)
SMILES
SHOPPING
BAKING
EATING
FAMILY
LIGHTS

*** I AM GOING TO STOP HERE BUT I COULD GO ON...

Cabbage patch dolls:

SMELL - I don't know why, but cabbage patch dolls have a distinct aroma that fills my soul with happiness.
CUTENESS - just look at that doll, how cute is that.
NOSTALGIA - I always had one of these as a child. {except for the brief period that one got its head ran over. Michael, my older brother, sneakily took my doll and put it under the tire of my dad's parked car. The next time my dad left, he ran over the poor things head. Thanks Michael!}

So, needless to say, if any one or anything wants to get into my heart they have to equal up to Christmas and cabbage patch dolls.

LEOPOLD LOVES TREES; i don't.

2009-09-04T23:19:00.006-07:00

"The only conclusion I have ever reached is that I love all trees, but I am in love with pines" (Leopold, Aldo. A Sand County Almanac. 70.)

I am in an environmental ethics class and I am reading this book about Leopold's views of nature.
I give credit to the man for being so charismatic about a subject. He uses the name of a plant as a proper noun. And the extensive knowledge Leopold has on the history of inhumane treatment of plants is amazing. I don't know how he found the time to research all of the stuff he talks about. It is interesting though.

However, when I came across the above mentioned quote, I realized that Leopold has never seen a palo verde tree. If he had his statement would have been more like "The only conclusion I have ever reached is that I love all trees (with the obvious exception of palo verde trees{which shouldn't even be considered a tree in the first place}), but I am in love with pines."

Isn't this thing just an eye sore? And here they put them everywhere. They must be cheep because whenever they redo a road or put in a new shopping complex, they always litter it with tons of Palos.

I for one love all trees that perform the task that they were made for; shading my car in the 116 degree heat. The Palo Verde tree doesn't accomplish this task, so therefor, is useless to me. It might as well not even be in existence. It is ugly, messy and doesn't provide any circumference of shade big enough to shade anyone or anything.

It might appear that this is giving a little shade to the red car, however, it is just deceiving you. No question about it. I park under one everyday thinking, "I can see the shade on the pavement so it has got to shade my car" WRONG!!!

I was just googling to find out what it even means and I got this as a hit:

How do you slowly kill a Palo Verde tree?

This person wants Palo Verde to suffer. It's like they wanted to higher a hit man to slowly pull Palo Verde's teeth, then poke it with scalding hot pokers, only to finish Palo Verde off with a dose of poison that would make it spill all of it's secrets before finally killing over. Leopold would hate this . . . we would never get along, Leopold and I.

And just to let you all know, Palo's name means green wood. How original!

Stupid thing, doesn't it know that it's trunk is supposed to be brown...?

It's just like how I do not and will not ever feel remorse for killing a cockroach. However, I do deem it inhumane to kill cats {however much I wish we didn't have two living in our house} or stuff pigs into tight cages just to fatten them up. I guess I can have some extremest feelings but I am not a true environmentalist, and never will be.

I might one day claim to be green but I never want to be in the same category as Palo here.

Quote:

2009-09-02T22:36:00.002-07:00

"I've got my life in a suite case and I'm ready to run run run away.
I've got no time because I'm always trying to run run run away
cause everyday it feels like it's only a game, I've got my life in a suit case."

Quote:

2009-08-19T23:58:00.003-07:00

You {snap of the fingers}, are a lone reed.
You are a lone reed.
You are a lone reed standing tall waving boldly in the corrupt sands of commerce.

I am a lone reed.

Why does love always have to be a fairy tale, can't it just be a tale?

2009-08-13T17:11:00.004-07:00

I have never been a big believer in love.

I hope for love. I just don't believe in it. (It's a good thing I don't feel about God the way I do about love).

Don't get me wrong I know that there is love out there, I just believe that love is something sought after, worked for, and a long time coming.

I do believe in the Grinch.

I believe that one's heart can grow. I can like someone, get along with them, realize that we are compatible, and be with them long enough to see that we go well together. Through this process my heart will grow to love someone.

I also believe that as long as there is some sort of attraction between the two of us and we both have the same goals for this life, that someone can be anyone.

Love at first sight is a bunch of crap. There is just no way.

I just saw the movie "500 days of summer" and I loved it.
It was a love tale. Not a fairy tale. It showed how two people could be in what looked like "love", have it not work out, and move on with life only to end up happier than when they thought they were "in love".

Could you leave someone who adored you? Imagine he was the perfect guy. He loved you, remembered the silly little facts you would say in passing, surprised you with those little facts when you least expected, was at your beckoning call, let you do things your way without complaining. . . Through all of this, you know he is amazing but aren't sure if there is someone else you could feel more for.

Could you leave him?
For the hope of someone else?

I am afraid that I would be too inamorated to think clearly. Or to analyze the thought of someone else. He is so perfect. There can't be someone better. Why give him up and then end up alone?

Then, you have to think; if you never analyzed or worried about if this was TRUE love, then you wouldn't be sad to miss out on something else. You will never realize you are missing out.

Hmm, so through my thought process, it seems like if you marry someone thinking you're in love but there is someone else out there who could have made you happier, it wouldn't matter. You would never miss out if you put your whole heart into your relationship. Your heart would grow. Your initial size would possibly be smaller than with Mr. Perfect but the end size only depends on how willing you are to let your heart grow.

Just believe, in other words.

I need to fall into some riches!!!

2009-07-09T20:18:00.002-07:00

When I was in the ninth grade, one of my teachers told a story of a teenager who wrote down a list of one hundred goals. I don't remember his point to the story, however, I do remember that afterwards he said "I was so impressed that this kid could come up with so many goals, I don't think I know any teenager who could do that."

I am always one to take up a challenge, so that night I went home and wrote down more than one hundred goals just to out do that kid in the story.

Chelsie's Life Goals (not in any particular order:

Take a calligraphy class
Continue playing the flute during all 4 years of high school
Read all the scriptures cover to cover with no interruptions; (not in one sitting, just without backtracking.)
Save money to buy a car
Do Family history work
Get a job
Always be a conscious saver (of money)
Go through the temple
Obtain a college degree
Stay friends with Lindsay and Alicia

Frequent the temple often
Serve a mission
Go to Rome and see the Sistine chapel.
Always remain an active member of the church
Go to Italy
Go to Egypt and see the pyramids
See an original work of Michael Angelo
Go to the Tokyo temple
Finish an entire scrapbook
Enter and win a contest

Get married in the temple
Have children {remember I was in ninth grade...}
Go to the Prom
Visit at least 100 temples
Play the flute in front of a lot of people (not in a band)
Get an "A" in biology
Learn to drive
Donate to a children's charity
Always remember my mom on her birthday
Teach kids the gospel

Have my own business
Always be a supporter for people
Never do anything to gain peoples distrust
Get my Young woman's medallion
Learn at least on song on the piano
Learn and enjoy to play a sport
Be an aunt
Enjoy watching conference
Learn to notice the Holy Spirit more
Don't judge so easily

Get a good tan
Become friends, not just sisters, with Hannah
Complete High School
Be in a play
Learn a bit of Spanish
Become a fast typer
Read the Ensign
Become a home owner
Be a grandma
Never do drugs {I laughed at this one!}

Always pay tithing
Be a young woman's leader {Oh I had the foresight so long ago!!!}
Serve in the relief society
Be a primary teacher
Do baptisms for the dead for some of my own relatives
Live in a different state
Live in a different country
Large or small, invent something
Write a song
Write a book

Get a masters degree {this was before I actually knew what college was like...}
Give a talk at a fireside
Bowl a game above 100
Don't drink
Don't smoke {I think I was stretching...}
Write a teacher I had as a child.
Have a story in a magazine
Get family photos taken regularly
Plant and keep a good garden
Find my best talent

Give a whole paycheck away to someone in need
Attend all of my child(ren)'s functions (plays, games, concerts...)
Go to Jerusalem
Go on a field trip with children {wow, I didn't realize I thought about children so much}
Cross stitch something
Become a good seamstress
Make a quilt
Feed a baby zoo animal (zoo is included to exclude dogs or cats)
Read the scriptures every day
Always say morning and night prayers

See a play in New York
Eat in a fancy restaurant in New York
Go to a talk show in real life
Volunteer at a hospital
Sub for a seminary class
get laser eye surgery
See conference in person
Make a habit of making my bed every morning
Learn to cook really good
Take singing lessons

take a pottery class
learn to draw, take a class
Have my own room and decorate it cute
Make my parents proud
Help restore someones faith
Be at all siblings weddings (the only excuse is if I am out of the country or in childbirth)
Visit Grandpa Jack and Grandpa Farnsworth's graves
Go to Disney world
Pay baby-sitters good
Arrange some flowers in a beautiful arrangement

Go to Washington DC
Scuba dive
Parasail
Skydiving
Go to Nauvoo

And there are more...

My little ninth grade mind was so weird, I came up with some pretty weird things but I am excited to one day do all of these things. I am surprised with how many of them I have already done.

My un-love story

2009-07-04T23:20:00.004-07:00

It all happened one sunny afternoon at my nanny's house.
I loved the nanny. We had many parts of the day; reading, playing, disney movie time, then (my favorite) Popsicle time!!! One fateful day, I got my first kiss.

Just like every other friday, I picked out the blue otter pop (because why eat any other flavor?) and went out side to play with the other kids. Some of the boys started making fun of me (who knows why, probably I had an accident {I tend to have those a lot and not even just as a child...}). In order to avoid the mocking, I went and hid under the trampoline.

Durring my crying session, I was joined by the most amazing little boy. He joined me, quieted me from my tears and reassured me that all those boys are jurks and to just let it go, then he leaned in and kissed me!!! (Mind you, I was probably 6 or 7 so my memories could be scewed a bit).

Getting a little closer to my point, that was the moment I realizezd that I COULD love. I now knew what love was. Someone carring about you enough to dry your tears and reassure you that all men are jerks, that is love.

It only took a few days for me to realize: love it may be, but not true love. You see, he ignored me from then on out and denied ever kissing me to all the guys. So, the only logical conclusion a six year old could make was, never feel love and never get hurt.

I came to that conclusion when I was six. 17 years ago I learned that it is better to not love someone than to love them and have them hurt you. I have tried hard to live by that rule my whole life. However, there have been times when I have let my guard fall. This happened because I did not find out at such a young age if it were necessary to apply this rule to both romantic and non romantic friends.

That is something that was learned over and over again all through elementary school, highshchool, on the mission, and afterwards.

Finally getting to my point; don't doubt yourself or the advice your six-year-old self gives you.

DROP TOMS NOT BOMBS

2009-07-03T23:32:00.006-07:00

For most things in life I will search for the deal.
Even if I want something with all my hear I will wait.
I will wait for the day when there are the "lowest prices of the season," or
"by one get one free" no matter how long it takes. Most likely the wait will take me into a
new season where it isn't even "in".

However, I have made an exception.

This company will give one pair of shoes to needy children with each purchase!!!
Plus they are very unique. I am a big fan. I am also a new owner of black corduroy toms!!!

"TOMS WILL GIVE 1 PAIR OF SHOES THANKS TO YOU!"Don't these children look so happy? See that cute one in the pink sweatshirt and beanie? Her shoes are because of me! What a simple way to feel special.

You will now be seeing me (if you see me) sporting my first pair of toms. Don't fret, there will be many more to come, the next on the "to buy" list are the red ones!

ps. . . use the code "ShareTOMS" with your purchase and get $5 off!

I snitched, and it may have cost me my soul

2009-05-03T01:42:00.002-07:00

I have found a lovely addition to my study time. In order to make writing papers and researching more comical, I have been playing sitcoms in the back ground (currently 30 Rock is what's on the roster) while I am thoroughly enthralled in completing my school tasks. This, however, causes me to frequent a neighborhood video store more often than I would like to admit.

Three days of papers, projects, and test studying, excused three days of video store visits in-a-row. On the first occasion, a lady came out of no where and asked for some change for bus fare so she could get home. I only carry my license when exchanging a movie as to not tempt myself with stopping for a ddp. (Our family chips in and we get a month pass at the video store, so not even a reason for a debit card. I probably just admitted that we watch way too many movies.) So, unfortunately, I had to decline this woman. The second day, this same lady jumped out from around the corner and asked for money for some medication she needed. Due to the same circumstances as stated above, I once again declined (her not even recognizing that this was the second time she'd asked me). The third day, the same woman approached me from behind, scaring the crap out of me, and asked for money to get some food. By this point, I was a little judgemental, I wont lie. I didn't have money on me, but I am sure I wouldn't give her any if I did. She was scamming me.

That's not even the part where I sold my soul. Once I entered the video store I told the worker that there was a solicitor asking for money as we entered. I don't know the exact rules. But, I know when I worked at QT I had to kick my share of beggers off the premises, they weren't allowed. On the occasion where they were creepy (which was most of the occasions since I worked by myself on the over nights), I just called the non emergency police, who then kicked them off for me. But either way, I am pretty sure that it is a no no for someone to be camped out for three days on the side walk in front of a video store asking everyone for money.

I didn't even think, I just walked in and reported her. WHO AM I. I can't believe I did that. It was pretty rotten. I mean maybe she was down on her luck needing a ride, medicine, and food all in the space of three days. Maybe God sent her to me thinking I would be a good Samaritan and share with someone in need. Instead, I just slapped her on the face (metaphorically) and walked away.

So now, I am pretty sure I no longer have a soul and all just for snitching.

4 weeks...

2009-04-07T23:26:00.002-07:00

That is all the time I have to finish everything that has to be done this semester. How can I even do that? While looking at my trusty calender today, I realized that I am SCREWED!!!

Monday April 13th

One SWOT annalysis due
One review of the Phoenix civic center due
One online quiz due
One discussion board comment due

Wednesday April 16th

Three discussion board comments due

Thursday April 17th

One 15 page research paper due

Monday April 20th

One 10 page research paper due

Tuesday April 21st

One Special event citique due

Thursday April 23rd

One 5 page paper due

And these are just the things I can remember off the top of my head...

If you find me dead with a ddp in one hand and the other one attached to my laptop, I wouldn't be surprised.

DISDANE

2009-04-06T23:14:00.004-07:00

I hate cats... With all of my little heart.

There is one in particular who likes to torment me and there is nothing I can do about it. I mean seriously they don't listen.

First, last week she jumped up on the back of my chair, getting my hair all in her... yuck!!! So instead of just pushing her off the back, I tried to be nice and pick her up and place her on the ground. What do I get for my kind gesture?

Two scratches in my arm!!! (and that is after a week of healing)

Second, as our family was kneeling down praying she decides to squeeze her way past me, in between my two legs. This of course caused me to scold her in the middle of the prayer and in turn caused the whole family to burst out laughing at me. All the while, my sister was able to keep herself under control and finish the prayer.

Third, she knows I hate it when she is in my room and I will not sleep with her in here. She knows this so she figures out how to pry my room door open when I am not there and goes and hides under my bed.

This is the devil herself.

She is hiding under my bed, keeping me from sleep and the whole while taunting me. Do you see the flip flop under her little paw? It is one of the many shoes I threw at her to try and get her to get out. She would just play with them, lay on them, and laugh a devilish laugh right in my face!!! And since the last time I touched her I ended up with scratches, she knew I wouldn't lay a hand on her or her little tail that methodically swayed from side to side just in my reach...

"ONE DAY"

2009-04-01T01:30:00.002-07:00

From a single person's point of view, one might take the average chick flick to be "romantic".

One might always watch one in its entierty then take a long "ahhh" sigh at the end. Only to hope that "one day" someone could love me as much as he loves her.

We all know it's fiction so why do we think these men really exist? I have yet to be married so I cannot add my thought of chick flicks from a married point of view but I can guess; "one day" my husband will be like him.

I don't think it really could change that much. The people I know who are married, still live in reality and none of the stuff in chick flicks happens in reality.

So, I pose an interesting hypothesis:
Women who watch chick flicks are less satisfied with their current state of life.

There is no way that a woman can turn off the TV after watching 1.5-2 hours of made up fairy tails (aka chick flicks) and be happy with ones current state of life.

What I think after viewing such a flick, is:
“No one has ever….”

Tried to sell their season tickets to the Red Sox, just to win my trust
Gone to a Celine Deion concert sporting a pink Celine Shirt with me
Named off all seven of my smiles and why I use them
Said “I can’t help myself” while telling someone else about me
Conjured up an elaborate pen pal scheme just to prove their love for me
Convinced my sisters crush to marry her just after saving my family from embarrassment by paying off my younger sisters frivolous wedding, just so that he could prove that he wasn’t proud and would do any thing for me
Shared a bag of razzle’s with me even though I was convinced I was a thirteen year old stuck in a thirty year olds body
Didn’t get in the way of me winning a reality show to marry his best friend even though he loved me
Come from the 1800’s to show me the meaning of life and cuddle with me while I am sad
Robbed a sculpture from a museum to keep my father from being outed as a fraud
Put a diamond ring in the change slot of the Chicago train station for to prupose
Helped me cover the tomatoes while I was in a robe and a hair cap
Help my spirit find my body and come out of a coma and build me a wonderful garden on my roof top

and

"If it takes looking like __________ to get a guy like that, I guess it is a fairy tale."
(take your pick of leading actresses to fill in the blank)

Yet still, knowing and admitting to such feelings towards such fictitious films, I will continue to indulge my self to the hope....

"one day".

I don't have a kid but I have the most adorable neice!!!

2009-03-30T11:28:00.003-07:00

CUTE CUTE CUTE
That is all I can say.
A company that actually says things three times, just like me. They've got to be golden!!!

check them out:

At their Yummy Mummy store
or
at their Yummy Mummy blog

If a vampire can settle for a Volvo, so can I

2009-02-07T01:02:00.006-07:00

My whole life I have dreamt of being behind the wheel of a beautiful luxury vehicle.
Ok not all my life...
When I was 18 I drove my uncles infiniti while I was watching his kids for the weekend.
From that moment on, I new that I was made to be in a luxury vehicle. It was then that I started to notice them on the road. I wouldn't (don't) pay attention to the traffic lights or pedestrians, I would be (am always) scanning the cars passing, in the opposed direction along with those in my near vicinity, picking out and fawning over the cars that I will one day have.

They are just so beautiful, even more in their old state.

Never noticed so much, except the appearance in School of Rock.

This is a very chique car. Luxury but not oldies driving down the road, hip one might say.

I would be in one of these with perfectly manicured nails, hair with no regrowth, perfect white teeth and a centurion american express in my wallet. (For those who call it the "black" american express, it is actually called the centurion by american express themselves.)

First thing on website: "starting at 49,999", and one day I will pay that just to have that cool jaguar (ja-goo-war) leaping off my hood.

Is amazing, I know first hand. (It drove so much easier than my pice ... ford that I stalled fourty times)

My heart truly lies here, within the confines of the blue and white.

The car I knew most little about, until I was coerced into reading a popular series, was the volvo. The one that had the least amount of space taken up in my heart: the volvo.
But now, it is the one that I occupy on a daily basis.
It doesn't have a jaguar jumping off the hood nor is it the heart throb of the audi but it is beautiful and I love it.

The Automatic windows, yes, they roll all the way down or up with just one touch of the button.

The View from the sun roof.

Been through a lot of bugs lately? well, with the volvo, you can squirt on some cleaner and wipe them right off with the turn of a dial.

Not only cruise control at the tip of my fingers, but the volume and the ability to skip.

Together we make a great couple. Chelsie and the S80 forever!!!! (Well, until I fall into riches and purchase on of the others listed above.)

You should see the other guy…

2009-01-02T17:46:00.004-07:00

I have an obsession. There is something that bothers me so much that when it is done, I automatically want to step in and fix it. That doesn’t happen for anything else; just this one slight obsession, or fixation rather, or possibly just the object of my happiness.

A tube of toothpaste needs to be squeezed from the end. It needs to be squeezed evenly each morning and night, and when the paste is detached from it’s origin, it needs to be wiped off cleanly, leaving no residue.

When one follows the bolded red letters stating that "FOR BEST RESULTS, SQUEEZE TUBE FROM THE BOTTOM AND FLATTEN AS YOU GO UP" one receives a tube that is beautiful, as follows:
When you don't, you get something a little more like this:

(This example is actually a great improvement, the owner of the second tube shown here, has been taught on many occasions that it is better to have a clean tube.
Hence she has taken steps to improve.)

Or

or even a cap like this:

(not the best picture ever but there is green toothpaste all around and in the cap!!!)

I plead with you all, please jut squeeze it from the bottom and flatten as you go.

2008-12-25T11:19:00.003-07:00

Promises...

I don't take any credit for the tree. It isn't how i would have liked it but I delegated and didn't micromanage when it was done.

I like to think of myself as an artist. I have no real artistic abilities, however, i can get an image of a room with decorations in my head and make something that turns out (hopefully) good.

It usually take the help of others to get the outcome of what my vision consists of; this garland took many hands and those of: Hannah, Michael, and Rocio. One of my finest visions, a tall sign in table, wasn't engineered alone, thanks bRAD.

Thanks to santa I can now take pictures on my very own camera!!! I think the fireplace picture turned out amazing.

2008-12-10T01:35:00.004-07:00

True Happiness

As a young single adult, one might think of me as love-less. However, I have fallen in love in my life and I still have a place in my heart reserved for that love. We were together for a time but it has been many years since we have been together. (It is mostly my fault, as mentioned earlier, I moved out of the country.) I am holding out all hope that during this holiday season, we can find each other again.

The Beautiful and I

The More Reserved Side

True personality coming out

Ridiculous and ugly friends

I set out on a quest to find my love and come to a state of peace and joy in my life. I have only been able to find others that on the outside look alike but can't be compared to the beautiful. Nothing will ever match up, I'll never be able to find one who compares to the original!!! Oh no!!!

An obvious FRAUD

If anyone has seen the source of my happiness please fill me in on where to find it again.

2008-12-08T22:59:00.003-07:00

Eggs

I served a mission for my church. I spent a year and a half in Brasil teaching people about the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Part of a mission is to be fed by others. We were assigned one family a day to eat lunch with. However, for breakfast and dinner, we either fended for ourselves or thanks to the Brasilian culture, if we were in someone’s house when they had food, it was a given that we'd get some. In the U.S. we can get away with saying, "I just ate", or "I'm fasting", or even "no thanks". However, in Brasil, there’s no way. If you are offered food, you eat it. And all of it.

Well, if I eat eggs I get sick. I think to a degree I am allergic to the little devils. (Deviled eggs, yuck) But I can eat cookies that have egg in them, so my allergy must be some sort of case-by-case allergy. In my dad's opinion, it is all in my head. But for real, I get a stomach ach if I eat scrambled eggs (good bye breakfast burritos [sad day]), sunny side up eggs (no breakfast sandwiches), fried eggs (the most common in brasil, even used as an entre for meals when meat is too expensive), pouched (I’ve actually never eaten), and even the boiled egg (no potato salad!!! I love potato salad but most everyone puts eggs cut up into it!! WRETCHED).

On mentioned mission, I told everyone I was allergic to eggs. I made sure that the word was spread far and wide in order to avoid any incidents with upset people. (I wanted to say the same about fish because I hate fish but didn't feel I could because I don't have any adverse reactions to fish.) So, was I lying as a missionary of the Lord? I never felt so. If you won't let me politely tell you I don't like eggs I have got to step it up and make my point clear by telling you it is an allergy, albeit undiagnosed.

My real point today is that I hate eggs. However, it feels as if there is one attached to me at all times. This is what my brain is:

A fried egg!!!

Bring on Christmas Vacation

2008-11-30T18:19:00.004-07:00

There's one Bakers dozen I love!!!

A bakers dozen is so stupid in my opinion. I mean we have a dozen, which is 12. Why have a bakers dozen? Which supposedly is 13, however, it shouldn't even exist. In our culture we will use this word "dozen" in order to put a number on any given item. But, come on, has anyone ever used a bakers dozen? It is longer to say that than to just say thirteen.

Well, there is one bakers dozen that I love. I never knew I could love a bakers dozen, but it happened. There are 13 young women that I work with that I am so proud of!!! We had an evening of excellence a few weeks ago and I got to know them better and was completely impressed with each and every one of them. Here are some pictures of these pieces of art...

2008-11-26T00:04:00.004-07:00

The best worst invention ever!!!

There are many times one needs to use glitter.

Such times may include; puppet making, Christmas card making, child entertaining, and many more that can be left to the imagination.

The negative side of glitter though is that it isn't convenient. You need to find regular glue, not a glue stick, I mean we are in the 21st century who even has Elmer's glue? Once the glue is found it then needs to be spread, causing a mess. Then, apply the glitter which requires actually a lot more glitter than desired just so that it gets over all desired regions of the project. After that is applied one needs to have an area to shake off any excess glitter and figure out how to not waist the extra glitter and fit it all back into the small whole provided in the container of glitter for the glitter to fall out of, obviously not to go back into in order to conserve.

When GLITTER GLUE came out, I thought the world was about to end because it was too good to be true. I mean it would cut out all the tedious stages and move strait from start to finish without the hassle.

HA!!!

If it actually worked how it has potential to, it would change my world. However, it has only made me more frustrated than the old fashioned way. The glitter glue never can be used after a first use because it gets all plugged. It also is very hard to manipulate where you need it. Then this supposed god send takes three times longer to dry than regular glue with regular glitter.

Maybe I should steer clear of any tipe of glitter because it obviously doesn't do me nor my stress level any good.

2008-11-18T21:37:00.002-07:00

fer

What's "fer" dinner?

I'm going to the zoo "fer" the day.

What you doing that "fer"?

What's that look "fer"?

Did we need a works cited "fer" that paper?

What are you getting her "fer" Christmas?

I've been sick "fer" the past three days?

The phones "fer" you.

I know I am a culprit of saying this myself. But why do we do it? Is it an Arizona thing? It sounds like we have thrown one word from the southern drawl into our accent. If one why not all, or if just one why any at all?

Do you use "fer"?

2008-11-12T00:22:00.005-07:00

TIA!!!

You pretty much can't get cuter than this!!!

Rachel Is 1 Month Old!!!

2008-11-11T00:38:00.001-07:00

Christmas all over my hands!!!

We all know that I love Christmas. Always have, always will.

(Oh, The dreaded day before...the anxiety!)

It makes me happy. There are not many times when I can say that I am truly happy, one hundred percent, no disillusions, just happy. That may sound like I am a un happy person, however, if you look at your life you can be happy many times but to be unadulteratedly happy is different and is far less common. This happiness comes to me at christmas time.

(Really, does it look like there could be a happier girl in the world?)

This is why I love Christmas. I can be unadulteratedly happy.

(The festivities are getting started and you can see it in my face.)

Thinking of the sacrifice that Christ made for me and the abounding love that He has for me makes me feel...warm, full, and cozy inside. I love being able to listen to Christmas music that celebrates Christ's life and love for us.
(Come on mom, how did you let me wear that?)

This is also a time in my life that I have been able to see, physically, the love that my family has for me. My family isn't the most outgoing when it comes to mushy stuff. No hugs or kisses. "I love you" is very seldom to be stated. We just don't do those endearing acts because it is a given fact; I love you. Why say it? So, during Christmas when we get to think about each other in a more personal way, thinking of things that hold special meaning one to another, makes me see with an outward gesture that my family loves and appreciates me.

These are just two small reasons that I love Christmas and Love this soap that makes me have Christmas all over my hands when ever I want, anytime of the year.

2008-11-04T01:17:00.005-07:00

"...starving children in Africa..."

I remember always hearing "you are wasting that food when there are starving children in this world ?"

That is the the reason I don't like left-overs. They make me feel guilty. I feel guilt of throwing them out in the first place so, I keep them. Then after they have completely turned rancid in the fridge, I feel horrid that I didn't eat them. But, I am not responsible for any cooking at this point in my life (yeah college life) so I am technically off the hook.

Poor Poor Poor Mothers!!!

I for one am glad that I am not a mother.

What the heck would I do with all those left-overs? I don't like left-overs (with the exception of restaurant left-overs). I don't like inventions made out of left-overs. I don't like to feel guilty for eating something new when there are more than a dozen Tupperware bowls filled with leftovers. And, the worst part of left-overs, is that when one decides to throw out everything in those looming tupperwares, the garbage smells so so so bad and sometimes is even leaky!!! YUCK!!!

I will leave the left-overs to all the mothers in the world and hope that I will never have to deal with them...

Waste not...want not!!!

2008-10-31T00:38:00.003-07:00

"You know how much happier we'd all be if we just learned how to love lotion?"

Pretty much the best quote ever.

But really, lets take a deeper look at this; who loves lotion?

Babies
Dermatologist
Massage therapists
Rich people (who get it applied to them frequently in by the above mentioned lotion lovers)

As we can see, those whom love lotion can be placed into a catagory of "happy".

Look at babies, they just eat, sleep, poop, and get held all day long... recipe for a happy day.

Dermatologist, they get payed way too much to do nothing at all, they don't even have to get their hand dirty or perform any sort of hard labor. If I made that kind of money and had that job description, I'd be happier.

Massage therapists, always rubbing people, always working with soothing music and lighting, not having to talk to others as you work... happy.

Rich people who get massages all the time, can be nothing but happy.

So, I full heartedly agree with Christina who said the above mentioned quote. I know I can use a few happiness points in my life, so maybe I should start loving lotion.

2008-10-29T18:34:00.004-07:00

Them Dutch, they're ahead of their time!!!

Maybe I wouldn't HATE school now if I had learned this earlier...

POLDER, not boulder, or folder, or shoulder but POLDER!!!

(Brown area=polder)

As I sat watching 6 hours of lecture on my very favorite black computer, TIBBER,

I was enlightened to a new fact. The definition and explanation of a polder. At the start of the 11th century, the dutch found them selves in a plight. Too many people and not enough land. What are they going to do? Well, remember in the bible how at different times there was destruction and many of the lands were sunk into the water? Well, them dutch remembered that too. In fact they thought it wasn't fair that such a thing would happen to such a good piece of land so they resurrected said lands. They made all sorts of ingenious inventions to make the water drain off the land so they could make use of such a valuable resource. Canals are used widely to take water away, also with windmills to keep unwanted water out, and the use/construction of dikes to make the city higher and further away from the water they are avoiding. How could I have gone all my life and not known of this amazing thing known as a POLDER???? Have you ever heard of it? If not, I hope I have opened your eyes to the amazing things that can happen. I however, would never live on such land. I mean if God sunk it once, who's to say he won't do it again?

2008-10-28T21:38:00.004-07:00

Selfish Son of a . . .

On most all accounts, I don't consider myself selfish. (Nor Humble). But lets delve into the topic a little more. . .

self⋅ish
–Adjective
1. Devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others.
2. Characterized by or manifesting concern or care only for oneself: selfish motives

self⋅less
–Adjective
Having little or no concern for oneself, esp. with regard to fame, position, money, etc.; unselfish.

Looking at these two definitions, I can truly state that more than 80% of the time my motives are selfLESS. (That number would be higher but one must take into consideration sleep time is selfish {although not always, I am such a beast when I am tired that sometimes it is a favor to those around me}, shopping, movies. You know, the things that keep one sane.)

However, there is one topic in my life that I know I am selfish about and I can't help myself. . . My best friend. She lives in Canada but will occasionally visit. While she is here, I want to monopolize all of her time, making her spend time with me. Helping me with life, going on ddp runs, empathizing with me, and really anything that entails being together. It kind of sounds a little stockerish but she is my best friend and closest confidant so I have to take advantage of the few days we get together.

(Our first out-of-highschool road trip to Disney Land)

Her last trip here was no different; however, we had an excuse to actually spend more time together. We were both painstakingly working on a project that turned out just as it should have: two people consenting in their nuptial ties. This left many of her family a little begrudged by the lack of attention to them. For this, I am sorry to cause strife, however, not sorry that the time was spent with me.

(A carriage ride through central Park)

So, the fact that my heart breaks every time she goes home and I just wish she could stay here, is that selfish of me? I mean, I know she has her priorities and number one is her husband (whom I love and appreciate for freely sharing her with me on occasion) as it should be and I would never ask her to leave him and come back but if they both ever considered coming to live here together, I would be the number one supporter of that idea.

(An eventful day of findings in Hoboken New Jersey.)

However, I feel so selfish for thinking that because she needs to live her life, strengthen her roots in her new town, gain new friendships, and move on with her life. But to even think of her moving on and not including me in her future life kills me.

So, I will not increase my percentage of selflessness because I will never stop hoping that my best friend will one day live close again. But I should lose some selfish points because I would truly do ANY thing for her.

2008-10-23T00:10:00.006-07:00

Black...Everything!!!
{No this is not a racial slur!}

What the heck!!! How does one get black circles that start above the eye and work themselves down under the eye. They are called "black circles UNDER your eyes". Never have I heard, "over" ones eyes. But, they exist, I am the proof.

Spray paint under ones nails to leave them black.

This next one you might not know what it is. It is one of the many black and blue bruises that I received from lugging bags and other items on my arms. You might think that means I am a sissy but you wouldn't believe how many bags and junk I have lugged the past few days with just my short little forearms to help me. Poor little guys.

And, who the heck knows what is all jumbled up on my feet?

2008-10-19T01:23:00.004-07:00

My phone, he can't keep up with me!!!

So, this week has been CRAZY as can be. I don't feel like going into the details, so I won't. But I just want to share one little thing with you.

My phone, it gets the same amount of sleep as me. When I go to bed I plug it in and it sleeps all night on the night stand next to me. When I get up (after showering and getting ready) it gets up and goes with me where ever I go.

Well, you see since this week has been so CRAZY I have not slept much. Thus, he hasn't either. He has let me know this too. He will just think it is his right to be "exosted" and turn off all by him self. WHO does he think he is!!?? If I am up he should be! If I can't sleep he shouldn't have the opportunity for a cat nap!!! There is just no no no way.

I felt betrayed, once again, when I reached my had in my purse to see if there had been any messages at 1 in the morning, and he was sleeping. Little ol' trusty was not so trustworthy. he was sleepin'. All his power just sucked right out of him. That is how I feel, however unfortunate, I am unable to shut off when I am tired I must keep going.

2008-10-13T20:53:00.006-07:00

The MIRACLE of Childbirth ?!?

Thursday October 9th, 2008 MY niece Rachel was born.

It makes me wonder why on earth anyone ever coined the phrase, "the Miracle of childbirth".

If I were to put miracle into a phrase it would be more like;

The miracle of straight A's in college

The miracle of a car showing up on your doorstep full of gas, keys in the ignition, and insurance papers with your name and already payed out for the next 3 years.

The Miracle of class canceled on an already busy day.

The miracle of seeing your breath in the air because Arizona finally got cold enough.

The Miracle of getting all green lights.

The miracle of a "get out of this speeding ticket free" card. (Or many of those cards in my case)

The miracle of putting on a sweater or pair of jeans that already has 20 bucks in it.

The miracle of your best friend coming to visit.

The miracle of being able to understand one of the opposite sex.

Ohh and the list can just go on and on, but Childbirth would never be on that list. NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! Even after I have one, I will not change my mind on that one.

When I think of a Phrase with "childbirth" I think on different lines;

The pain of childbirth.

The hours upon hours of childbirth.

The agony of childbirth.

The inevitable day of childbirth.

Oh and there are many more however we'll keep this Blog Cuss word Free.

However, I do love my niece!!! She is adorable!!!

2008-10-08T08:55:00.007-07:00

I feel Pretty. Oh so PRETTY...

I am not the type of girl who gets compliments. No one just tells me that I look good today or that they like my outfit. Nothing. Plain Jane. That is what I am. And I'm ok with that. I like blending in, being conspicuous, average.

At least I thought I was. You never know that you aren't ok with something if you have never experienced the other side.

Like I was a billy goat without courage to fight the ugly troll. But, today was my day.

My day to fight the TROLL!

Having a schedule that is conducive to my life style, I was able to wake up, shower and get ready for school without rushing. This lead to the not so common event of me doing my hair and putting make-up on, all in the same day!!

Which also lead to me getting 4, count them FOUR compliments on my hair. Not to mention TWO more on my glasses. (There is too much of a glare for me to have my glasses on in the picture, but they are amazingly cute. They are red!!!)

Needless to say, a girl can always use a good self-esteem builder and 6 compliments in one day got the job done.

2008-10-06T22:28:00.002-07:00

Quirk #1

I will not lie. Well, I will for certain things, like things that could cause conflict, I will lie lie lie.
However, most everything else I don't lie about. So, I have decided to let you all know a little more about me. I have some weird quirks that I will let you all in on.

I love my bed, as we already know. I don't, however, like to make it. I will do anything it takes to not wake up and make my bed. To me it is so nice to just get up and forget about it. Making it just reminds me that I can't get back into it for a long time. There has to be work, school, social life (ha ha we all know I don't have that), family, . . . THEN I can get back into bed.

I have a solution to this problem. I make my bed at night. I do, right before I get into bed for a good (hopefully long) nights sleep I make my bed. Fluff up the pillow, make the sheets and comforter aligned, clear off anything left over from projects or from being plain un-organized, then I snuggle up into a nice comfy bed.

I think it is kind of weird but I can't stop it.

2008-10-01T00:36:00.007-07:00

Dancing Though Life?

(Thanks)

Sounds Like a very attractive way to go through life.

Dancing.

It makes me think of sleeping beauty whisking through the air with her prince and a changing color dress. I always wished I could dance, but I can't. So the hope of dancing through life is out the window.

Leaving me to ask myself how will I get through life if it isn't dancing.

Will I:

Walk through life? - No, that sounds terribly boring.

Hop on one leg through life? - More interesting; however, I think I would get tired and one leg muscle would be huge while the other wasn't. Weird, so no.

Ride the bus through life? - Valley metro, no way in ...the world. Too many people try to talk to you. But, a tour bus through Spain was an amazing experience that I wouldn't mind having constantly for my life. I would just need a lot of Dramamine.

Ride a motorcycle through life? - that is tempting. I just had my first motorcycle ride today and my life will never be the same. I loved it. Oooh, how invigorating would that be to go through your whole life on a motorcycle!!!

(thanks)

Skim though life? - I think that is actually what I have done with life up until now. Just like the milk, I didn't get any of the thick, deep, good stuff just enough of a lot of things to get an Idea of how it might taste. Ya, I'm not too happy with life as it is, so I'm stearing clear from dairy.

Take short cuts through life? - I've seen others do this. It seemes easier. Is it? Maybe it is easier but not as fulfilling.

Teleport through life? - As enticing as it sounds, I will pass on this one. Teleporting though life would make me miss a lot.

Fly through life? - I think this is the answer. If there were real super powers I think I would want this one. But until Suresh gets that down I will be relying on orbitz.com to get me the lowest fares that get me to my dreams. I can't imagine any part of my life stationary. Or close from one destination to the other, so flying is the only option.

(thanks)

Life is extremely overrated when you don't know how you are going to transport yourself through it. Now that I know I am going to be flying through life my life will be so much better.

How are you getting yourself through life?

2008-09-22T23:01:00.003-07:00

I've Been Sleeping Around and I'm NOT Proud of it

How am I going to tell my bed I cheated on her? My bed has been everything to me. Reliable to the core. She doesn't deserve something like this. We've been together for 7 years and for 18 months she faithfully waited for me and at my arrival she was just as she was the day I left her. Knowing I would be back asking forgiveness she waited 18 long months. I wasn't at all faithful at that time, i was sleeping in a new bed every 6 weeks. But we were separated at the time so it was to be expected. But now, there is no excuse. I have cheated on her and she deserves better.

I am a coward. That is what it comes down to. The first night we were faced with a small challenge, I bolted for the door. The air conditioning went out. She didn't do anything to deserve to be deserted however, those outside influences can always work there magic on a relationship. Not willing to work things out, I left. I went to the first option that came along.

RETRO

Retro lives in my brothers apartment. He is unattractive, insensitive (hard), and a complete mistake. So, I decided to take a little more action and get something "better".

RIDGE

Ridge usually keeps to himself nice and snug in a closet. He wanted an adventure and I was in the the position to be easily loured in, so I stayed one night with him. How could anyone sleep one something with as many ridges as that? Not me. That was the worst one night stand of my life. I didn't sleep at all. Which made for drastic measures the following night.

BARBARA

A good friend of mine was willing to give up her bed so that I could have a good nights rest. This was an utterly selfless thing of her to do. And Barbara treated me really well. In fact too well. I couldn't let myself steal her away from her owner. I am human after all, I felt guilty for kicking someone else out of their haven. Guilt ridden, I was guided to a home. A boarding home for those without air conditioning.

There, I found a wonderful night buddy that I get along perfectly with. He is so good to me. And we both know upfront what the expectations of the relationship are. Mainly that it is short term and I will soon be going back to the one I've left. This is perfect for him and perfect for me. I have air and a soft bed and he has company. What a perfect match!!!!!

2008-09-13T02:34:00.003-07:00

I'm a Hopeless Romantic who Doesn't Believe in Love

You ask yourselves "how can that even be possible?" Well, I don't know how in the world it happened but it did. I am freak of nature.

Let's define a hopeless romantic:

One who reads ridiculous amounts of sappy romance novels, which all have utterly the same story line; however, one still gets sucked in and loves every couple that happily ends up together.

One who watches Grey's Anatomy till 3 in the morning and cries through the last episode because after a marriage of 40 years, a husband dies to leave his wife alone.

One who has a dream wedding all thought out, flowers, dresses, music, and even the only ring one would ever settle for already picked out. I'm talking the whole nine yards.

One who's mentality is that to be "grown up" one must be married and/or have children.

One who dies on the inside with the thought of losing a loved one. Namely a future husband or child.

One who watches chick flick after chick flick, only to be left depressed at how cute "they" are together.

One who reads Hearts in Hiding yearly.

OK OK OK!!! Enough of that mush,

Let's define one who doesn't believe in love:

One who can only see disaster when imagining a relationship.

One who believes it is foolish to run into some marriage because "I love him". (People are so full of it when they say that!! What do they even mean "I love him?" It can only mean: "until now, I have never felt like this and I guess it would be good to keep on feeling like this so I will get myself into an eternal bind with this person that I have known for all of two weeks." BULL ____!!!! I don't buy it!)

One who thinks a reception is just a waist of time and celebrating all the wrong things when it comes to a marriage. (I am the one getting married, you should be throwing me a party giving me food, not me spending my life savings so you can eat all you want, bring your annoying children to make a mess, and "make it up to me" by leaving me a target gift card. You keep your present, I'll keep my thousands of dollars, and we'll call it even.)

One who calls children "things."

One who has dreams galore that can only be fulfilled single.

One who is surrounded by newly wed best friends and is left grasping for any shred of desire to have what they have only to realize there isn't even the thought of a shred.

One who gets utterly upset when one hears "women can't do _____ alone" or "you'll need a guy to help you . . . " or "I'll just marry someone rich so I can . . ." (NO, yes I am just a woman with out a man by my side, but I can do anything I want to do. Just because I am not married, it won't keep me from the things I dream of.)

Many aspects from each definitions are part of my daily internal thought process. How is it possible to be a hopeless romantic that doesn't believe in love? I don't know, it just happens.

2008-09-12T01:40:00.000-07:00

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..."

Having to make a compromise with my beloved mother, I cannot decorate the house to create the yuletide ambiance, until November 1st, 9am mountain standard time. This puts a rather large damper in my Christmas spirit. You see, the last Christmas I was at home, I decorated before Halloween and loved it. Having had such a great experience I was planning the same for this first Christmas back home. I guess my mom has her reasons for not wanting the trick-or-treaters to see our Christmas tree and Christmas lights on all hallows eve. In all, I guess it is better because there will be a bridal shower at our house in October and the black and white theme would be thrown off a little with the large portrait of Ol' St. Nick.

I am starting though to listen to my Christmas albums, no body can stop me from that.

I only wish that it would get cooler. Then, It would really be like Christmas.

I was living in Brasil untill June of this year and the seasons are opposite there. So, it was starting to cool down a little (Sao paulo never really gets cold, at least where I was) a month or so before I moved back to Arizona. Everyone around me would make fun of me because I was always singing Christmas songs. I love Christmas time!!! Inevitably, due to the cold in may and June my Christmas schedule has been thrown off with my litte Christmas itch never giving up.

Today at Sam's Club, (a rival to COSTCO) they had a bunch of Christmas ornaments up and I got all giddy. Oh how I love that song, "giddy up, giddy up giddy up let's go. Let's go to the show..." eeeeeeee, really I can't describe how happy I am that Christmas is only one hundred and four days away. I should go to Canada this Christmas time so that I can see snow. It is about time I see snow fall from the sky.

(If I could make this post a scratch-n-sniff, it would have this scent. MMMMMM)

I can't even think rationally now that I have Santa, the reindeer, cider, eggnog, pumpkin pie, pine tree scent, cinnamon, brightly colored streets, cheerful music, and those wonderful "chime, chime, chime" bells that are in front of every store asking for change for some donation bank (united way?) on my mind. Oh, tis the season.

"A Marry Christmas to all,
and to all a good night!!!!"

2008-09-06T20:57:00.022-07:00

A travel log:
Fort Stockton vs Indio

-TEXAS

Recently I went on a road trip to Texas. There and back in three days. It was amazing. It was a weekend full of discoveries. The most important being the discovery of Heroes; however, the discoveries didn't start nor stop at that. On the way to our destination we became famished and so was Stella, she was completely depleted of fuel.With the use of a bright green sign, the highway informed us of an up coming town...

"FORT STOCKTON next right."

Gullible as two girls who have been driving all day (and a sleeping Brandon in the back seat)can be we drove right into the Twilight Zone. The first three gas stations we passed were abandoned. How does that even happen when you are located off of a busy highway and with gas prices as absurd as they are? Finally, seconds before the last drop of fuel was used, we found a functioning gas station.

We filled Stella to her max and then set off in search for the toco bell that was advertised on a bright blue highway sign. We searched and searched and searched for that place only to discover an abandoned caboose!!! Not to be let down, we took advantage of a bad situation by taking pictures. These pictures involved safari hats and a side of Brandon that I had never seen before. We also met some amazing ladies (come to think of it, they just showed up out of no where. I bet they were witches!!!!) who took our pictures in return for a safari hat of their own.

Once the taco bell was found, we soon discovered that it was closed. What time were we going through Fort Stockton? 7:30 P.M., that's when. What taco bell closes that early? Holding onto our nerves we drove to our next choice: Sonic. Spairing you the long dreadful details, we left 45 minutes later without food and without patience. We had been "soniced". Leaving the largest fast food restaraunt as our last and only option.

Fort Stockton will never be forgotten.
Not for it's amazing quaintness or insainly nice citizans, but for it's taco bell and sonic. What a legand!!

-California

This weekend, I was on yet another road trip with my sister, going to California. We were in a similar situation, needing to go pee that is. So we see a sign for a city "Indio". (What does it even mean?) It looked like a small town from the highway but we could see the clear signs of a target in the not to far distance, so we decided to give the city a chance.

We couldn't have bee more wrong!!! We parked at the target, pretty far back because it was packed with cars, and walked to the front door. There was a greeter at the door.

My thought, "I don't remember Target having greeters."
Greeter, "Oh are you guys here to come to target?"
Thought, "Since this is the only place in sight, we are obviously headed to the closest Pottery Barn!! MORON!!"
Me, "yes indeed, right here to target. The happiest place on Earth."
Greeter, "This target isn't open yet, it won't be until October."
Thought, "What the heck are all these cars doing here?"
Me, "well, then do you know where I can find someplace with a bathroom?"
Greeter, "There's a gas station up the road."
Thought, "Well, that wasn't a complete loss, we do need gas too. I'll just kill two birds with one stone."

We soon found the gas station closest to the target. And no sooner did we find out that there were no gas pumps, nor a bathroom.

Thought, "I won't be killing one or two birds but I if I stay here any longer, I'll kill myself."

To make things worse, we got back on the highway to a different part of Indio, not giving up yet, and went to a different gas station. Still no bathroom, but they did have gas. The sign said 3.97 which in and of it's self is absurd but then as I was about to pull the trigger on the nozzle, the actual pup's sign said 4.49 (there would be a photo of that too, but it turned out fuzzy and I refuse to post it). Not joking around anymore, I sent my sister in to ask for my money back (since I knew I had depleted my tolerance for morons) and we left Indio still needing gas and still needing to relieve our little bladders.

Needless to say, I am having a hard time deciding which city was worse; Fort Stockton or Indio?

I guess it doesn't matter any more, I just never want to be caught in either one of them again.

Save yourselves the trouble on your next road trips and steer clear of Fort Stockton and Indio.

2008-09-04T23:10:00.004-07:00

Who am I?

Stephen Covey has left me contemplating my life a lot lately. One thing that he has helped me to do, is identify my roles.

Who am I?
What are the roles that I will have in my life as Chelsie Akers?

I am a:

Daughter,
Sister,
Friend,
Traveler,
Student,
Employee,
Wife,
and Mother.

These are my roles. I am (or will be) these things. So what do I hope to accomplish with each of these roles?

Daughter- I will make my parents proud of who I have become. I will always have their trust. I will some day some how pay them back for all they have done for me; financially and physically.

Sister- Our relationship will strengthen with every passing day. We will learn from each other. We will each have active roles in each others lives throughout adulthood.

Friend- They will always rely on me. I will be a confidant to each of them. We will always have adventures to bring us close when we drift apart.

Traveler- I will see all 50 states in the United States of America. I will never turn down an opportunity to travel and get to know a new culture. Traveling will never leave my life.

Student- I will get a 4 year degree from college. I will continue learning throughout my whole life. I will learn from all situations earning an education through life not just a university.

Employee- I will only work where I am happy. I will work to grow, gain experiences, and have fun. I will give my all time best at everything possible in order to maintain my dignity.

Wife- When the Lord forces me, say "yes".

Mother- I will "multiply and replenish the Earth", someday...maybe.

This is who I think I am, but could that really be all I am? And can I really accomplish all of these things?

2008-09-03T17:03:00.011-07:00

"New York City

center of the universe. Times are [crappy], but I'm pretty sure they can't get worse..."

I LOVE NY!!!
So much so that I could never put an apple in place of the word Love.
I do not apple NY, I LOVE NY.

(thanks)

I have been only three times in my short life and have another trip scheduled. (Sadly enough not until 2010, remember, I'm POOR POOR POOR!) Each of these three experiences changed my life. The first time I went was right out of High School with Lindsay and Rhonda. It was amazing. everything I had always dreamed of, well ok, a little stinkier than I had dreampt of. At that time also, I was poor. (not POOR POOR POOR, just poor). So, I did everything in my power to make the trip as frugal as possible. So, we stayed in a Hostel.

To those of you who may not know what a hostel is, let me change your life. It is like a dorm or a homeless shelter. Instead of renting a room with a bathroom and a little fridge, you rent a bed. Depending on the Hostel this bed can be in an all girls room or it can be in a co-ed room. It can have a bathroom and/or sink in each room or only one per floor. There are really a billion different varieties. They are all over, i also stayed in one when i was in New Zealand and one in London. The cheap traveler doesn't need accommodations just a bed.

My second trip to NY was just a few short years later after I was employed with US Airways. So the trip was FREE FREE FREE. well, the air fair was at least. At two months at the job I had my free benefits but no buddie passes. So i decided to go ALONE. I was 19 and discovering my self and my nerves. I bought two tickets off line to see Three Days of Rain starring Julia Roberts and Bradley Cooper. I had to get two because they only came in twos. Which inevitably lead to me fulfilling a life long goal: scalp a ticket. I, Chelsie Akers, scalped a ticket to a play in New York City. Which is scary when you realize that i would be sitting next to the guy i sold the ticket to. (He wasn't a creap, just a typical man. He had no idea what was going on in the play so I had to explain always what was going on. If you don't get theater, don't go!)

I flew in on a red-eye and later that same day was the play. The play ended about mid-night and being a pro at the NY subway system I got the the airport fast as can be; however, my return flight didn't leave till 5am (and it was overbooked, not good for a non-rev). Not wanting to pay, for just a few hours at a hostel I decided to wait it out at the airport. Little did I know that all the terminals don't stay open 24/7. So i had to search for one that did. Once I found a terminal that wouldn't kick me out, i found a nice cozy nitch and took a nap. No one showed up for that 5 am flight so i not only got on, I got first class for the first time, also a life goal!!!

The last time I went to NY it was also an adventure. I found an agency that rents out apartments by the week. So, I got a group of 12 together and we split the rent and stayed about 6 days right in the heart of NY. This trip was also monumental. I rode on a horse drawn carriage in central park, crossing that off my life goal list. Also, Camille and I took a day trip to Hoboken NJ, crossing one more state off the list. And I ate at a "fancy" restaurant dressed up nice in order to cross that too off the list.

Along with being a fan of NY I am also a die hard fan of RENT. Also known as a "rent head". Without having to say it, my favorite parts of the trip all are tied to RENT. We saw it live on Broadway, I think it was 4th row!! Then, on the way back a good friend of mine, Adrian, acted a scene out for all of us on the subway. Sorry that this is sideways, but it is the best I can do.

(The good stuff starts at 40 seconds)

I LOVE RENT!!!!

2008-08-28T00:34:00.006-07:00

Hippies: They're still around?

Little did i know that there is still such a thing as a hippie. I thought they were out with the 60's; however, I met one this week so i am now an eyewitness that they are still out there.

(thanks)

I am a student at ASU. (There is a further blog that will explain why i am goin

g through this stage of self-mutilation). I am also POOR, POOR, POOR! I live off of blood

money (also known as student loans). Such circumstances inevitably lead me to taking the bus to school. Ohhh, how i love the ever trust worthy Valley Metro. When I see one of those turquoise and purple chariots coming to sweep me off of my feet, amaze me with such luxury, and get me to any said location in a bli

nk of an eye, I get an uncontrollable pitter patter in my little heart.

As to savour every second of a dream come true, I am sure to have my i-pod in, on, and loud even before stepping one foot into the chariot. It is also imperative to have ones hands occupied with a book. Any book. I've monitored the reaction from Harry Potter, Twilight, the Ensign, and even books in Portugues. The reaction is always the same (or at least i read it the same): "If she can really read that boo

k then why the ____ is she so poor that she has to ride the bus using a free card? She must be faking it!"

(thanks)

I mean i am no psychic but when i see people staring at me while i read, i assume the above mentioned thought went through their head.

Back to the hippies. Just try if you please to imagine me on a bus. Trying to save my image by looking intelligent. ( I mean a person who can listen to music and read a book at the same time must be intelligent, so they have an excuse to be on a bus). Earphones in and book in hand. I have tried all possible to make my appearance NON inviting. I wouldn't talk to me if i were sitting next to me on a bus, who would?

(thanks)

PACMAN,

that is who. One such hippie, born 50 years too late, with a "street" name of Pacman tapped me on the shoulder and told me she wanted to talk to me. In one rush hour ride from mill and university to alma school and university, I learned more about drugs and raves and blood fests than I had ever before known. I left that bus not only feeling that sticky gringey feeling on my hands, positive that druggie smell transferd onto myself, but also quite entertained. Would a high, hippie, pacman have made it a personal goal to drug anyone who sat next to her or was I specially picked to receive such a privilege?

If I go unseen for days and don't answer my cell phone, rest assured that i am having the best time of my life learning the trade secrets of train jumping across the world!!!

Hippie Power!!

Tie-dye all the way!!!

2008-08-14T18:03:00.008-07:00

Solitudely Single and I'm Happy about It

The big day is on the herizon. October 27th, 2008 I will turn 23 years old! I will be a mormon girl who is still single!!! I never believed that this day would come. I wished and hoped that such a day would come and it is so so so close. I go against the grain of salt when it comes to marriage. (Don't get me wrong it is a great thing and everyone should do it, i just don't see the rush!!!) I am sure that when the Lord sees fit for me to get married I will do it, but until then i am going to happily even frivolously take advantage of every opportunity that I have. Think about it, what girl who gets married right out of high school has been to 8 countries and 14 (soon to be more, at least Texas maybe more) states. Sure I don't have a job, money, a car, or a computer but people lived without those things for ice ages!!!

I am single and i am not sad about that.

All who are single should relish in the freedom and solitude that is inevitably going to be swiped away in one romantic fling.

I am, however, entering into a new form of singleness. It is the Solitudely single stage. Since I was old enough to know what single means until relatively recent, I haven't been alone as a single. I have had my 4 best friends always around me to cling to when ever needed. They have been such great supports in my life that through them and their support i was able to see that it will be just fine to remain single. No need to rely on a man. I mean who could ever rely on a man, ever. So lets put that as far away as possible. But now, all four of them are gone gone gone!!!! In my mind they have met undesirable ends, but they are happy so who am I to judge?

Let's look at Alicia.

We've been friends since that 12 year old Sunday school class of Brother Miller's. Our Friendship has had its high-frequency moments and it's low-frequency moments. But no matter if two months have gone by without contact we still know that we love eachother and there is a hug waiting when needed. She has decided that since we keep in touch so well living in the same city that she would go ahead and join that mormon sect in Utah. Yes, she has met her doom (doom=detachment from me!!) by enrolling in the fall semester at BYU. Which reminds me of a pack of hyenas saying Mufasa, oooooo, say it again... Mufasa, ooooo.

Keeping a chronological perspective, next let's look at

Lindsay White Sherman:

We've also been friends since 12/13 when she moved to mesa 22nd ward and went to Kino jr. high with me. Inseparable ever since.

But... Need I say freaking more? Just look at the picture!!!

Then Camille P. Strate Fairbanks

We met Jr. year at Westwood and hit it off instantly. I think it had to do with our same logic on marriage, diet dr. pepper, traveling, ASU, and Mr. Wedge. Now, we are miles apart trying to make the statistics of long distance relationships change for the better. Needless to say Canada got the best of her and has yet to get the best of me. Or maybe it was Kyle that got the best of her and in that case it is a good thing he didn't get the best of me too!!

Now we have made it to "B". Since there are two lindsa/ey's in my life when referring to

Lindsey Burnham,

she is referred to as "B".

We became good good good friends when she got home from China and Camille went to Canada for the first time. Neither Canada nor Kyle got the best of her, however "love" did. She is also getting married. We are going to pick up her fiance in Texas and then she will be with him constantly until October 24th, then afterwards it is like she will be dead to me.

So, inevitably after this weekend I will officially be starting the "solitudely" single stage of singleness. It has a lonlier haze to it but i am sure that It will be just as exciting as the surrounded single days. So, i am solitudely single and happy about it!

2008-08-12T00:13:00.000-07:00

10 Things I like about Me

In my quest to lose weight, I once enrolled in Weight Watchers. In one weekly meeting we were given the assignment to make a list of 10 physical qualities we like about ourselves. (I guess they feel that these blubbering fat people need an occasional self esteem boost.) Following their every word, hoping it would help me lose my love handles (why the heck would they be called that?! It just makes me hate more and more the word LOVE), I ran home to the lovely apartment I shared with my two best friends (for a month), and started the list. I racked and racked my brain for anything that i could put down. I went to the mirror and had to contemplate for quite a long time to get my list down. As an effort to help you know me on a more personal note, i am going to share this incredibly personal list with you all:

1- My Hair color is beautiful*

2- The Length is perfect with its layers

3- My hair looks amazing when it is straight**

4- My hair when it is curled, shockingly looks better than when it is straight***

5- Bangs are an esquisit addition to my face

6- However, on hot days they are just as cute pulled up

7- My second day hair can be a sexy unkempt look

8- It can look good pulled up and puffy which is great for the heat

9- I can go down the elegant road with just a little hairspray and a few bobbie pins****

(It's been so long since I've been elegant that I don't have a photo of it)

10- My hair requires little time when running late !!!!!!!!

Here you go, these are the ten physical atributes of myself that i love best!!!

I would like to give credit to those responsible for my hair being as amazing as it is.

* My hair dresser, Jenny

**My dad for straight genes

*** My mom for curly genes

**** Bed Head for amazing hairspray