The Grass May be Greener...But I Don't Care!

Of course I'm ecstatic that my brother got married. I am NOT ecstatic about the sympathetic looks I was getting all night long at the reception.

What the heck is it with Mormons that make them think that just because you're aren't married you must be miserable??

I began to count how many people told me that I would be next, but quickly gave up after 12. I got everything from sympathetic head nods followed up with the patronizing tones of "How are you?" to a full 10-minute "pep talk" from a guy who, quite frankly, gives me the creeps.

I never seem to notice that I'm single until someone points it out for me. And then, when they do, they make me feel like I'm doing something wrong. I don't get it; if I'm okay being single, why does it matter to everyone else?!?! I can almost understand why my parents want me to get married, or at least date someone, but to the creepers at the weddings who feel it is their obligation to "cheer up" the poor, single people: STOP IT.

Honestly, on those rare days that I actually do notice that I'm single and should probably care a bit more about that fact, the last thing I want is someone to point it out and then try to cheer me up about it.

It will happen when it happens people. Until then, LEAVE. ME. ALONE.

Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:

1. I love having bookshelves. More especially, I love having FULL bookshelves.
2. I have really cute nieces.

3. I got 2 whole days off of work.

4. Cute new blue shoes!

Roots

My grandfather did quite a lot of research before he died about our ancestry. My uncle took over after and found several famous names we're related to; however, that isn't the purpose of this post.

We have a lot of European blood in us, including Irish blood. Our family name, Conley, is the Americanization of the Irish "Connelly." Connelly is even a family name of legend in Ireland.

I love my Irish heritage for some strange reason. I've always been a big fan of anything out of Boston (RED SOX, BABY!), I've always had a fondness for St. Patty's Day, and my favorite color, for as long as I can remember has always been green. I love fairies and took two Celtic legend classes in college. A good Irish brogue makes me weak in the knees. I love Irish rock bands; nobody rocks harder. I adore James Joyce and William Butler Yeats. One of my favorite satirists is Jonathan Swift because Irish babies just sound delicious as a main course. And I hear their beer is the best in the world.

I had the opportunity to go to Ireland in 2005 with the British Literary Tour and felt at home stepping off the ferry. I fell in love with every part of Ireland I touched, from Dublin to Knocknarea to Innisfree. I stayed in world-class hotels, small and cozy bed and breakfasts, and dingy hostels. I toured castles and rode a bike around a small island.

I love Ireland and hope to go back one day.

And of course, I love "Waking Ned Devine."

Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:

1. "American Slang" by The Gaslight Anthem.

2. The Canny Brothers.

3. Anna McPartlin's novels.

4. Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collins comes out in 8 days!!! I CAN'T WAIT!

5. How can someone piss you off so much but at the same time make you laugh more than anyone you know?

Freaky, Dark, and Weird Part II

Does anyone remember my post about being called, "Freaky, Dark, and Weird" in my Humanities class in Summer 2009? I was really bothered by it at first because of the person who called me that (she bugged me like NO OTHER), while understanding that I am quite ...different... especially from other Mormon girls.

I happen to like being a different breed, if you will. I like my quirks and all of the oddities about me and I EXTREMELY enjoy re-realizing how weird I am.

I have an art of the day application on my iGoogle page and when I logged on tonight, I saw this picture and FELL IN LOVE! I darn near cried it was so beautiful:

It's called La Laguna Estigia (The River Styx) by Félix Resurrección Hidalgo. Its GORGEOUS! I did some research on it and, for those of you that care, found out that it's based on Dante's Inferno.

To add to the painting reaffirming how Freaky, Dark, and Weird I am, I would like to admit right here, on my blog that 2 people read, that I am a masochist. A SEVERE masochist.

I decided to tell GP/Beetlejuice about the openings in my department at work (with my boss' permission, of course) and he is applying. I don't think I took into account that telling him about the job meant that he would be calling/texting/fb-ing me practically EVERY DAY. The worst part is, I've gotten used to him calling/texting/fb-ing me all of the time again, so I'm constantly checking EVERYTHING, which just pisses me off. hahaha. I hate that I kinda-sorta-maybe think I want him here...but at the same time, I don't. Basically I'm just a confused girl and I hate it. hahaha. I'm so used to knowing myself and my mind that when I get put in this kind of situation I'm completely disoriented and can't really think. It doesn't help that as soon as he starts talking to me my coherency level drops like a new-born giraffe.

The jerk.

Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:

1. Free merchandise from CAPA Kristen's bf who sells Izze. Has anyone out there ever tried Izze? I'm on the fence, but I've only had the Blackberry drink, so I dunno... ANYWAY, I got a shirt, 3 stickers, 3 magnets, chapstick, and a drink for free today. Thanks, Jim!

2. I'm getting my own office at work. Yep, a full-blown office to go with my promotion. I can't wait until Christy finishes my contract - I want to go to the dentist so bad!

3. I ordered the dress I've been in love with for nearly a year the other day. Pictures will be posted once I get the dress. I know, I know, I've already promised pictures of my haircut. Maybe I can kill 2 birds with one stone...

4. Chelsea interviewed at SQA today for the CAPA internship. I hope she gets it!

5. Natalie mailed me a letter from Shauna and I got it today. My mom was emailing me at work to tell me I had a letter from Tempe, which really confused me. Needless to say, I was on pins and needles all day about it.

6. I'm dead serious about going to England and Ireland for my 25th birthday next year. I'm also STOKED for it.

7. I finally went to FHE (for the first time in this ward) and the Bishop asked me to speak on Sunday and told me he wanted to meet with me during church to give me a calling. I'm 99.99% sure I know what it is, but I guess I'll find out on Sunday...

Someone Please Solve My Problem...

I can't do this one on my own.

I have stewed over this since I first got hired at SQA as an intern.

We hired another intern this week - his name is Ted. We're slated to hire 3 more interns for our department alone because of this totally awesome $12 million deal we signed with a MAJOR corporation that will remain nameless on the internet. We need the extra man power because today and yesterday I put in 10-hour days and I'm probably going to have to keep that rate up along with my 2 bosses until we hire our other 3 interns.

The problem is, these interns can't be just anyone. They have to be Editors with at least a Bachelor's degree in English. I tried to convince Elliot to move down here to work, but he's training to become a seminary teacher and can't come right away. (I fully intend to hound him until he breaks though...hahaha!) And I've already coaxed Jenni into moving down from San Francisco (potentially...she's submitted her resume and we're looking for somewhere for her to live right now).

I only know one other person who is qualified: GothPod - or some of you may know him as Beetlejuice.

Ah, yes, the infamous GP...

I know he's searching diligently for a job (he's done census worker, pool cleaner, and his most recent job is a Cutco salesman...) because he tells me when we talk and I see the FB updates. He's still waiting to hear if the TSA wants him. I know it's the Christian thing to do to tell him about the opening(s), but herein lies the dilemma.

My bosses both know the history between GP and I, and because of this, they don't want him. I've told them that he's beyond qualified - every bit as good as me, but that I hesitate because my feelings are conflicted. I don't doubt his ability.

I've prayed about telling him about the job opening (despite Christy and Mayu's distaste for the situation/him) and haven't really received an answer yet. I've run over and over in my head whether my hesitation about telling him is because I'm hurt by how he treated me in the end or because I doubt his patience required to do the work. (Its a combination of the 2 and an additional factor, in case you were wondering.)

I just can't figure this one out. And this is just touching the surface of the problem. There are so many scenarios to consider no matter what I decide to do. I'm swimming in this one and can't breathe.

Please, someone tell me what to do.

Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:

1. The post that will magically appear at 7 AM on 16 June 2010 right here on "A Work in Progress."

2. Wii swordfighting - it's saving me.

3. I have officially discovered I do not like to be called, "Babe."

Music = Love.

I don't usually watch a lot of TV (let alone reality shows), but I've watched So You Think You Can Dance off and on since it started a few years back. What I always find interesting about this show (aside from the dancing that I am TOTALLY jealous of) is the fact that they always use music that most people don't know - except me.

Ok - that last bit isn't entirely true. It feels like that though. I'll find some obscure band by surfing youtube, or randomly perusing iTunes. For instance, last year, someone danced to "Hometown Glory" by Adele when no one really knew her but I had been singing "Chasing Pavements" and "First Love" for at least 6 months prior. And then tonight, the show used Florence + the Machine's "Dog Days Are Over." It seems like no one in the US knew Florence + the Machine. I only found them by scrolling through youtube videos of German artists. (Random, I know.)

Anyway. Again on tonight's episode I was reminded how much I adore Priscilla Ahn when they started playing "Dream."

Love it.

Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:

1. Singing. I can't stop.

2. My trip to the zoo on Monday didn't quite pan out, but it was still an excellent day. One day, I'll blog about it. Maybe.

3. The more time I spend with Bryce, the more I realize how much I've missed him. But the normal way these days.

4. I'll find out in ONE WEEK if my job wants to keep me or not. I'm praying and crossing my fingers.

5. Nicole is gone - moved to Utah.

6. I bought a Wii. Go ahead; judge me. But man, it's fun and the sword fighting is definitely my new stress reliever until I think I can handle Ashley's old Tae Bo videos.

7. Ashley's old Tae Bo videos. Ha.

8. I have some ridiculous e-mail conversations with Auditors at work.

9. GothPod phase out. Wish me luck because I already desperately need it.

10. Hick-hop. WOW.

Mistakes

Does anyone else feel like the mistakes they make are so incredibly huge they're irreparable? I know it's NOT that huge, but I feel like I'm swimming in this one and I can't decide how to fix it.

I'm so frustrated these days, and I really hope it passes, but at this point I'm where I can't quite seem to see the end.

Because of this I'm going to do a longer list!

Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:

1. I love when Chelsea comes over. We hardly EVER actually do anything, but I don't think I realized how much I missed her friendship all of those years. I'm 99.99% sure that that is why I was so mad at her for so long - because she disappeared on me. Which made me disappear on her. Sorry, Betty.

2. A few weekends ago, Scott and I hung out all night and I told him I'd go to his dance show this weekend. I was explaining to Nicole today that I had plans for Saturday (Scott's show) and she immediately asked me if Scott and I are dating. I don't understand...

3. I was killing time on Facebook tonight, and I suddenly found myself panicking that I might have homework due tomorrow. And then I realized I'll never have homework due again. SAD DAY!

4. Does anyone remember my Shig bear? I was telling GothPod about someone that works for my company named Shigeo who goes by "Shigy" and GP said that he would almost rather be called Shig. I started cracking up because of the bear's name. When I told GP he was confused and amused. Weird.

5. I think I'm going to buy an annual pass to Disneyland. The only problem with that is, if I do, it would only be worth it to buy the highest level pass because I can only go on Saturdays and all weekends are blocked-out on the lower levels. The higher level one is over $300. I have some serious debating to do.

6. I'm loving all of the videos my sister keeps posting of my nieces. Maybe I'll skip the Disneyland pass and save up for a plane ticket in case I ever get vacation time from work.

7. I literally cannot remember the last time I took my toe rings off.

8. I'm debating starting a satirical blog. My only concern is that "Satirical" will quickly become "Sarcastic."

9. I like Hot Bliggity Blog's blog backgrounds slightly more than The Cutest Blog on the Block's, but that's probably because I was using TCBOTB for the longest time and had seen all of their designs a million times over.

10. I realized the other night how much I miss living with 5 other girls. I was in severe need of someone to talk to and I'll be darned if having a bunch of girls that you love live with you wasn't a blessing for 5 years.

11. Mayu noticed the other day that I've been down, and she offered to take me to a karaoke bar where I could sing and she could drink. I love my friends at work.

12. I love finding myself in a book. I do not love reading all the way to the end of a book and finding out that the character I identify the most with is a suicidal manic depressive.

13. The stupid dog is so cute.

14. August. August. August. August. August.

HELP!

I am in a music slump.

I still have my favorite bands like Blue October

...And a few others. But I haven't found anything new that I like lately.

Jereme bought me an iTunes gift card for my birthday and I have yet to use it. It's like leaving Barnes and Noble empty-handed: traumatizing.

So, if anyone has a good band, I definitely need some suggestions.

Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:

1. The last 2 nights. (:

2. Anna McPartlin. I love her books and her writing style. She cracks me up and writes about realistic scenarios in a way that everyone can relate to and be touched by. Every time I pick up a new book by her, I find myself and my friends on the pages.

3. When I got home from work today, my mom had put an opened card on my computer. I opened it and saw it was from Bryce thanking my family for letting him be a part of it. I am so grateful that my family has always been so open to basically adopting my friends. I really do love that my friends are so comfortable here and know they're ALWAYS welcome.

4. I (potentially) get to see Alli in August. I'M SO EXCITED!

5. "Glee." Geez, the Madonna episode from this week (replaying Friday night) was A-MAZING, and I don't even really like Madonna.

It's the Simple Things in Life...

Here are some random thoughts/fun things from the past few days:

• Another Free Willy movie?? Really?? Before you know it, Free Willy is going to become the new Land Before Time series...
• I love "Who's Line is it Anyway?"
• Christy offered me her hat collection for Bryce's crazy hat party on Saturday.
• I'm getting my phone to go with my phone number at work.
• I have this strange urge to watch The Wizard of Oz. I don't understand it.
• I finally fixed my milkshake craving; thank you Ruby's!
• Chelsea's face is freaking amazing.
• Seeing our new office furniture get delivered, and being really excited whenever we heard the dolly going by.
• Reading old GMail chat conversations between me and Alli.
• My work is really cool; we're getting an office-sponsored bowling party one night soon. And at the Christmas party, we always do a talent show. I was warned now so I could start preparing.
• My cork board is back!
• It takes exactly 1.5 text messages between Bryce and I before they become inappropriate.
• I wrote down goals that are going into effect starting Monday morning.
• "Oh, look at that! ...Oh, look at that! ...Oh, look at that!"
• I like "The Marriage Ref."

A Job Update

It's been 4 whole days and I'm still loving my job.

hahahaha.

My friend keeps referring to it as the "job honeymoon stage," but I don't think I'll ever have a problem working there. My bosses Chrsity and Mayu are SO nice. Even when things are crazy like they have been for the last 2 days (and when I say crazy, I mean absolutely insane), Christy and Mayu are positive and have great senses of humor. We laugh through all of the horrible-everything-that-could-go-wrong-can-and-has stuff, and keep on working.

Christy makes sure I'm constantly snacking, which is going to have to stop. I've made a few friends around the office, and Christy and Mayu want me to sit in on the interviews they're doing for the other content intern starting tomorrow. They've been going over resumes and cover letters like crazy since March 3, and so far have only liked one person enough to hire: ME!

(I know, it's weird to me, too.)

I've been getting through 4 audits a day. The audits are usually around 14 pages long, and I've gotten to the point where I'm asking less questions, finding more errors, and looking at the template a lot less, which is good, and apparently impressive.

I got my official SQA email address, phone number, computer, and laptop the other day. Here's where it gets interesting though: I don't have a phone. I have a phone number, but no phone. They're moving our office soon to a different section of the building, and that is when I'll get all set up. (When I get all set up, I'll have 3 computer screens to work off of!)

Basically, I can't gush enough about my job: I am COMPLETELY, 100% enamored with my job.

Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:

1. The past few days, I've come home from work, changed my clothes, ate dinner, and then laid on my floor for a while (which is like laying on plywood). I like my job, but I'm sore.

2. I get to see Chelsea tomorrow! WOO HOO!! It feels like it's been forever when really, it's just been since Sunday.

3. The videos Ashley has been posting of Rachel talking.

4. I work in a building right across the street from the mall (in PV, for those of you from around here), and in the PV mall there is a Borders. (It's not Barnes and Noble, but really, at this point, I'm not going to split hairs.) There is also a library there.

5. We have a basket ball hoop in our parking lot. Also, the Head of IT leads anyone who wants to participate in this super-intense work out a few times a week. Once I get in shape, I'll have to try it out. Hahaha.

Oscar Night Write Up

So, the Oscars were on on Sunday. I don't know how big of a deal it is outside of California, but here, it's all that is talked about from Valentines Day to St. Patrick's Day. I don't usually pay them much attention until the end of the show, when they announce the big winners like, Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Actress. But this year, I watched the red carpet (once I got back from church) and the majority of the award show itself.

Here are my thoughts (in case anyone cares):

• I feel so bad for the guys who won for Best Documentary. Okay, not both guys, just the second guy. Some retard who went walking up with them (and I think bankrolled the film) decided to hold up a sign as the second guy started his speech. Consequently, the second guy was cut off. He wasn't allowed to give his acceptance speech, and I never even saw his face because they cut to the audience. Why ruin it for people?
• Also, who the heck does the invitation list for this show?? Tina Fey?? Really? And Mariska Hargitay? What the heck were Tim McGraw and Faith Hill doing there?! I know he was in The Blindside, but only for like 2 scenes - he wasn't nominated. At first I was bothered that Molly Ringwald was invited, but then they did a tribute to John Hughes - or whatever his name was - and it made sense.
• Every time I hear the Up theme song, I want to cry. I don't know why. I loved that movie, and the music is beautiful, but it seriously has me choking up.
• I was so glad that Sandra Bullock won for Best Actress. I mean, wow. The Blindside has to be one of the best movies I've ever seen. Congratulations to her. And also, please pick a better dress next year.
• This year brought change to the Best Director category: a woman, an African American, Terrentino, Reitman and Cameron. Kathryn Bigelow won for The Hurtlocker. It seems so weird that an African American hasn't won, and that, until tonight, a woman hadn't won in 82 years of this ridiculous tradition.
• 10 movies in the Best Picture category?! Holy geez! That hasn't happened since 1943.

I also want to rant for a minute about the absolutely disastrous dresses this year. Usually there are a handful that are hideous, a few that are truly amazing and the rest are merely mediocre. Not this year. This year, there were a few that were mildly stunning, a handful that were merely mediocre and the rest were absolutely atrocious (ahh, alliteration and assonance.)

My best dressed list:

Elizabeth Banks

Anna Kendrick

Demi Moore

Kristen Stewart

Penelope Cruz

My worst dressed list:

Zoe Saldana

Sarah Jessica Parker

Barbra Streisand

Miley Cyrus

Charlize Theron

Maggie Gylenhaal

Jennifer Lopez

Vera Farmiga

This post is already really long, so I'll do 3 very short things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:

1. Enchiladas - momma style.

2. Cute new Sunday clothes.

3. Behood's crazy laugh.

A Few MORE of My Favorite Things!

I forgot a few yesterday. Or rather, I remembered more today...

15. That look on my dad's face either right before he calls me a smart ass, or when he's thinking it, but has decided not to voice it.

16. Has anyone seen Accidentally on Purpose? I've seen it 3 times. The SAME EPISODE...three times. The problem is, it's on in between 2 shows that I like, when you can't switch channels because it's on the half hour - so everything is already going.

17. My brother wants me to make more brownies. I don't mind, honestly. But I'm going to start charging him. I want a chocolate milkshake. STILL!!!

18. The scene when what's-his-bucket breaks up with the crazy chick on Accidentally on Purpose. I told you, I've only seen it 3 times, and it's the SAME episode. I still laugh when he tries to break up with her. Whatever their names are...

19. The picture that serves as the backdrop on my cell phone. It's Chelsea with a pink bra over her eyes and that weird look she gets.

20. One day, I'm going to start writing again. Hopefully soon. I think I'm just scared of getting sucked in like the last time.

21. The dents on the first toe of each of my feet from my toe rings.

Mk, I THINK that's all. Who knows?

A Few of My Favorite Things!

These are a few of my favorite things. I should warn you - some of them will be ironic.

1. You know how you get sick of wearing your favorite pair of jeans, so you shove them in the back of the closet, or the bottom of the drawer, or whatever? And then, on a random laundry day somewhere down the road, you pull them out and put them on. You then look in the mirror and realize your already-cute-butt looks a MILLION times more fabulous in the jeans you banished a few months ago? Yep. Totally happened to me today. I am officially putting my "Common Genes" jeans back in the rotation: priority level 1.

2. Clean sheet day. I mean, it's not like I crawl into bed every night covered in mud, or anything, but clean sheet day makes me ridiculously, nerdishly, happy.

3. I was in a completely rotten mood yesterday as soon as Chelsea and Nicole got to my house. We ran over to Barnes and Noble to look for a teaching book Nicole needed. As soon as we walked in the store, I said, "I'm going upstairs. See you later," and disappeared for about an hour. At the end of the hour, I was a whole new, happy, peppy, perky, who-the-heck-is-this-happy-chick chick.

4. Sitting in Nicole's car parked outside of my house from 10:30 pm - 12:30 am with Nicole and Chelsea. We were cracking up basically the whole time.

5. Feeling cute even when you've spent the day lounging around the house in your spare pajama t-shirt, recently re-discovered favorite jeans with big curly hair (which according to your parent's best friend reflects your bubbly personality and should therefore be worn big and curly more often).

6. For some reason I ALWAYS trim the nail on my left pointer finger crooked. Not just crooked - it comes out at like a 45 degree angle, but only when you look at it a certain way. I don't know how to explain it.

7. Craving chocolate milk shakes every 2 days. And then, of course, on a Sunday when you can't do anything about it.

8. I've always wanted to be a singer. Still do. A jazz singer. Or, on Broadway.

9. I was laughing while I watched Love in the Time of Cholera today. And yes, the story is as depressing as the title suggests.

10. A few days before Valentine's Day, my mom asked me what kind of candy I would like, as a treat. I told her I didn't really know, cause if you know me, I'm not a big candy-eater. (Surprise, surprise, I know...) I never did get back to her about what kind of candy I would like the most. But on Valentine's Day, I woke up and sitting on top of my laptop was a bag of apple flavored Sour Punch Straws. It just so happens that I LOVE those, and forgot. Kind of like the jeans.

11. I haven't cried about John yet. I don't know why. I have, however, laughed about John. A lot.

12. Pulling pranks. I haven't been pranking lately. But after last night, I think I need to start up again. But I need a different crew to roll with. The crew I was working with last night wasn't very helpful to the process.

13. Skype dates. So "date" could be a bit of a stretch. It just so happened that this guy that I've never met, but am friends with on FB, and I rented the same movie on the same night. So we decided to watch it together via Skype. It was fun.

14. My shampoo makes my hair smell like slurpees. Consequently, I crave slurpees quite frequently lately.

Again, these are just a few things. And I figure that since this whole list is a favorites things, I won't do a small list of things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today list. Peace out, my loves.

An Epiphany

One of my all-time favorite movies is When Harry Met Sally. It's HILARIOUS. I don't own it (sad day, I know), so when it was on TV the other day, I recorded it so I could watch it later.

I did so today, and the STRANGEST thing happened!!

I was wondering a lot this past semester exactly WHY I liked John so much. It's not like he's necessarily my type. He's the physical type I like, but personality-wise he's the COMPLETE opposite of the kind of person I usual like, except for the biting wit and cynicism which I (naturally) LOVED. And then he turned out to be a real jerk, so I was REALLY confused. And today, about 5 minutes into When Harry Met Sally, I figured it out!

John is Harry!!

In EVERY single way. I was sitting there, cracking up, and realized that oh my gosh - THAT is why I liked John so much.

And then it happened again while I was reading my new book, The Demon King, by Cinda Williams Chima - a mere 23 pages in. I apologize if the following quote disturbs anyone:

"[His] kisses were intoxicating, and his embraces made her head swim.
It was more than that, though. He had a savage, cynical wit that picked apart the society that had birthed the two of them. He made her laugh, and little did these days" (23).

Like I said - strange. At least that's one John-related mystery solved.

Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:
1. KP is getting married in like 6 days.
2. I have my own personal pain-remover. He's hilarious.
3. Bryce asked who John was the other night at dinner and Jereme's quick reply was, "A jackass." I love it when Jereme swears.
4. The dream I had with my Matt/Elliot date that included Jereme stringing up John (who was tied up in a burlap sack) from the ceiling by his feet.
5. I went to Barnes and Noble today. Enough said.
6. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Secret of the Ooze. Michelangelo is my favorite.

Goodbyes

There's this band that I love, A Fine Frenzy. I first heard of them when iTunes put out a free single by them called, "You Picked Me."

Then, Leslie asked me if I had heard a song by them called, "Almost Lover." I hadn't, so she pulled it up, and I'm ADDICTED!!

I've put it on a playlist at the bottom of my blog, so you can all hear it, if you wish. I didn't make it autostart because that always annoys me...

Here are the lyrics:

Your fingertips across my skin
The palm trees swaying in the wind
Images

You sang me Spanish lullabies
The sweetest sadness in your eyes
Clever trick

I never want to see you unhappy
I thought you'd want the same for me

Goodbye, my almost lover
Goodbye, my hopeless dream
I'm trying not to think about you
Can't you just let me be?
So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
I should've known you'd bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do

We walked along a crowded street
You took my hand and danced with me
Images

And when you left you kissed my lips
You told me you'd never ever forget these images, no

I never want to see you unhappy
I thought you'd want the same for me

Goodbye, my almost lover
Goodbye, my hopeless dream
I'm trying not to think about you
Can't you just let me be?
So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
I should've known you'd bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do

I cannot go to the ocean
I cannot drive the streets at night
I cannot wake up in the morning
Without you on my mind
So you're gone and I'm haunted
And I bet you are just fine
Did I make it that easy
To walk right in and out of my life?

Goodbye, my almost lover
Goodbye, my hopeless dream
I'm trying not to think about you
Can't you just let me be?
So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
I should've known you'd bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do

I can't stop listening to it, or singing it.

Ironic? I don't think so.

Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:
1. Almost lovers. May he burn in the bad place for all of the lies.
2. Making pies with my mom.
3. I get to see Bryce soon!! (Grannie says you better come see her.)
4. Good books that I haven't felt for SO long.

It's a Hard Nerd Life

FOR ME! (In case you didn't figure it out, that was supposed to be sung like, "It's a Hard Knock Life" from Annie...)



It's hard to be a nerd. I'm not saying I'm a huge nerd or anything, although I'm sure some out there would argue that I am a huge nerd...I dunno. I digress...

Here's why it's hard: people don't want to do homework. And they know you're smart. And they know you like to do homework. And they know you like them. So what do they do? They take advantage. They start talking to you more in class. They start asking you out. They act all interested in you when really, they're interested in not doing their own homework, but having you do it for them.

I'm so glad I'm graduating.

Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:
1. Jessie is having a girl. And I got to see the video of the sonogram!
2. I kinda sorta snapped at Brother Allen today, and someone kinda sorta stuck up for me and explained I'm NEVER like that, so there must be something wrong. And then I made Brother Allen laugh really hard and now he thinks I'm cool. He told me.
3. My group presented our PR plan today, so basically I have no more homework for that class ever since I already took the final before Thanksgiving.
4. I actually don't have a ton of homework left at all! I just have to finish tweaking one portfolio, upload everything onto the other portfolio and write one essay for my Humanities class. Cake.
5. I woke up at 9:24 on Sunday morning. Church starts at 9:30. I was a little late, but I made it!
6. Joseph Smith said, "Let what will come; don't deny the faith, and all will be well." I found that quote with my Patriarchal Blessing the other day when I really needed to hear it. And then Leslie was looking at something on my shelf and saw that quote when SHE really needed it (cause I put it on display...)!

Childhood

I have a lot of really fond memories from my childhood, and this is definitely one of them!

The original "Dr. Dolittle" starring Rex Harrison.

I don't have class on Tuesdays and Thursdays so I spend the day doing homework and working my butt off. I sat down to eat lunch today and turned on the tv. I was flipping through channels looking for something to provide noise while I cooked and that's when I saw that "Dr. Dolittle" was on!!

I was so excited!!

I did my homework in front of the tv so I could watch. I can't remember the last time I saw this movie. I love it! And I totally have a crush on Matthew Mugg (real name - Anthony Newley). He's Irish, and I'm pretty sure that has a lot to do with it. And he sings.

Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:
1. Excedrine. I hate that medicine only treats symptoms and doesn't cure whatever causes headaches, but I'm grateful for it anyway.
2. I got to hang out with Jereme for a little bit yesterday.
3. It's 5:00 pm and I haven't made my bed yet. That NEVER happens. Even when I was sick and could barely move, I made my bed.
4. Thank you, Alli, for saying that "my guy" wasn't hit by a truck, just married the wrong girl. It feels like that more and more...
5. Alex and Brittney have the nicest boyfriends in town. They're great guys and I'm glad they spend a lot of time here.

Nerd Fettish

As I'm sitting here watching Friends, I've come to realize that I have a crush on eveyone's least favorite Friend: Ross Gellar.



That's right. I have a crush on David Schwimmer. And I'm announcing it to all 4 of my readers. So you have another reason to roll your eyes and say, "Oh, Lauren. Gigg-le." Or, "You would."


I love everything about this remarkably odd, extraordinarily hairy, Jew. (Can I say that if I, myself, am not Jewish?) And it's not just his roll on Friends that I love about him. I positively adore him as Melman, but yes, Ross is my guilty pleasure.


I love when he plays his "music" on his stupid keyboard, and his flare for the dramatic. I really admire his ability to create an entire trivia game based on 4 of his best friends. I love how he changed the erotic cake for Emma's first birthday into a bunny, and his fake accent. I love his boring lectures and that he's a paleantologist.


And yes, I know that Ross Gellar is not a real person. But David Schwimmer is. Besides, I have a big thing for basically any fictional male.


Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:
1. Seeing Julie & Julia.
2. The French language. It's beautiful.
3. Books.
4. New babe pool (you gotta say it like Amanda Bynes in She's the Man) in Rexburg next semester.
5. I enrolled myself on The Scroll's staff this morning.

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!

I decided to get up and go to my home ward this morning (9 am) instead of going to single's ward (1 pm). I haven't been there in a very long time and it was nice to see the new people and really nice to see the not-so-new people! We've had 5 baptisms since the beginning of 2009 and last night an old friend of the family was baptized, that makes 6, and tonight there is another baptism - a girl named Zela, from Africa - will make 7 baptisms in 8 months! That's really good considering my ward hasn't ever been a high baptizing ward. Good work Elders!

A small family came and sat in the bench in front of us and I watched as the wife sat on one end of the bench and her husband sat on the complete other end with just their 2 children between them. The mother entertained the son but I wasn't watching them. I watched the father and the daughter. I watched him pull out his fancy shmancy pen from his breast pocket and draw pretty dang good pictures for his daughter. He was drawing pictures she could match things the drawings - for instance, on one half of the paper he would draw a baseball and then on the other half he would draw a bat, so she could connect them. He drew a very life-like horse, and a rather pretty flower, but the last paper he drew was what stuck in my mind. He drew a crown first and then a pretty dress and then he started drawing what looked like a very elaborate castle. He leaned down and whispered to her for a minute and she watched his pen scribbling and I noticed that what I first thought of as a castle was actually the SLC Temple. How did I know? I watched them throughout most of sacrament and realized that I love coming home and going to the family ward. I have nothing against single's ward, but I love being around the children and watching them interact with their parents and scream through the sacrament.

Bryce came to my ward and sat with me and my family. It was good to sit next to him and laugh through the hymns again. It's been a while since we've done that. It was fast and testimony meeting today and Bryce bore his testimony. I don't know that I've ever heard him bear his testimony and I very highly doubt he's ever heard mine. He's such a good person and my all-time favorite person (sorry folks, but it's true...).

Like I said, it was a very nice Sabbath.

Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:
1. I keep learning new things about people I thought I knew very well.
2. Having such a wonderful person in my life.
3. Coming home.
4. My mom. She's my best friend and I love her.
5. Bryce's mom bankrolling our trip to Disneyland (for him, at least) so we can go before he goes to Germany and I go back to Idaho. Thanks Nancy!

Freaky, Dark and Weird.

Apparently liking bands like Blue October and Ours makes you all of these things.

I'm alright with being weird. I think EVERYONE is weird in their own ways. Am I dark? This semester, with everything that is going on, a little bit, yes. But definitely not to the extreme that I would be if I didn't have a better perspective and handle on eternity than I do right now. Put me in this exact same situation 9 years ago and boy I would probably scare you to death. But freaky??

How does liking bands that have original beats and totally rocking lyrics (both bands, by the way) make me freaky? And does that take into account the fact that I said I like everything from Big Band to classical, to pop, to rap, to oldies? Probably not.

Then there's the argument to be made of all of the other ...odd... things I've said in my Humanities class. Yeah, taken out of context, they would probably help me on my way to being Freaky, Dark and Weird. But to that argument I say: "At least I can look at a situation from a perspective you are OBVIOUSLY incapable of." Do I make any apologies for having an opinion other than Mormon Standard BYU-Idaho Norm? NEVER. Do I make any apologies for being a free-thinking, intelligent, confident person? NEVER. Do I make any apologies for not being obsessed with Hannah Montana or Britney Spears? Definitely not.

If these things make me Freaky, Dark and Weird, what does the lack of these things make you? A Lemming, Unoriginal and "Normal"?

I'll stick with Freaky, Dark and Weird, thank you.

Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:

1. Blue October on August 5th!!!!

2. Disneyland with Bryce soon. (Front of the line for Chemo patients, right?)

3. Grannie's house sold!!

4. Chris and his incredibly inappropriate sexist jokes in the library today.

5. The 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear, by Walter Moers.

6. Talking with Katie today.

7. ThinkGeek.com

8. Getting a book from Brother Jensen today in Humanities.

9. Seeing Shauna, Kellie, and Alli in August! O. M. G. CAN'T. WAIT.

Rain! Rain! Hooray!

This blog is going to basically be a long (or rather, more indepth) things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today (so I won't do a small list at the end...):

1. It's been rainy and stormy for like 2 weeks now. I LOVE it!! It hasn't been every day solid. We had one 80 degree day in there somewhere and then a couple of the days have had scattered rain and sunshine. It's my favorite kind of weather! (Even though the cold air makes my leg hurt like you would not believe.) Yesterday's thunderstorm was incredibly loud and I was in heaven.

2. I don't know if it's the rain or what, but I'm in a fantastic mood despite having 4 days worth of a head ache and a sore knee, not to mention the ridiculous amounts of homework that seem to just keep piling up.

3. I had a fun night with my old friend Jenni on Friday. We rented "Be Kind Rewind" (it was funnier than I thought it would be) and played Super Mario Bros 3 on the Nintendo. Then we just talked for a bit. It was a nice little mini-vacation from all of the stress of school and everything else.

4. Shauna is giving her farewell on August 16th and it sounds like I'll be going! I'M SO EXCITED!! I can't wait to see Shellie again - I've missed them lots. Plus, this is my chance to check out the AZ and see how I feel about moving there, since that is still my biggest plan for post-graduation.

5. I'm kind of freaking out about graduating soon. I feel very unprepared and the fact that I don't have a solid plan yet is making me panic. And the more I think about it, the more I panic. It's a slippery slope, folks. (I know it doesn't really fit in the laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me list, but just trust me on this...)

6. My favorite band, Blue October, is going on tour - the Crazy Making 2009 Tour - again soon. I think they're playing in LA on August 5th and in Vegas on the 6th. Basically, I'm going. I just need someone to go with me, which I think Nicole said she was interested in. I'M SO EXCITED!

7. Apparently, Alli is going to be in the AZ for Shauna's farewell also. As of 1:44 am (why were you still awake Shauna??) we're planning a little mini roommate reunion. I just wish we could get everyone there like Ami and Aubree and Kelli, too!

8. I get 7 weeks in LA soon with the members of my family I haven't seen for a while and my friends. I'm way excited for that too. Oh, and I haven't seen the house lately (apparently the hard wood floors are in), so that will be fun. And I'm secretly hoping there will be peaches on the tree and berries on the bush still when I get there.

9. I realized today just how old fashioned I am. Honestly, in Ward Conference today I found myself thinking the exact same things the first counsellor in the stake presidency, Douglas S. Nielsen (who is probably old enough to be my grandfather), was saying (we were talking about kissing). Yeah. I should have lived in the 50's or something... But I like being that way. It makes me feel different and knowing my own limits is extremely comforting.

Now, for a Sunday nap. I've gotten good at those, lately.