Fressia

NEVER GIVE UP

2009-09-16T22:23:00.005-07:00

Just the other week when my dad was here on leave and we were discussing my life, he said, "Hon, do you remember that picture of the bird and the frog we had?" This was ALWAYS hanging on the wall in my house growing up. I think my dad made a copy of it at work or something, came home and tacked it on the wall with a push pin. It hung their for YEARS and it was so much a part of our home that it never occurred to me it was without frame, nor was it a fancy piece of artwork and that homes don't usually have a beat up Xerox hanging on a wall as a permanent fixture. I wonder what happened to it. But I loved it, and am grateful for my father's wisdom in hanging it where none of his children would forget the image or its meaning.

To Go Along with the Blog Below...

2009-05-25T08:29:00.001-07:00

Last night I was talking with one of my friends in California, who said this to me,

"You have an abrasive personality, no offense, but at our age its easy for a guy to find a younger girl."

Case in point...

That's Not Really Who I Am...

2009-05-23T20:24:00.003-07:00

Tonight I was thinking about myself. I'm constantly trying to figure myself out, master my emotions, be kinder and gentler to everyone I interact with, etc. It is no secret to anyone who knows me well that I have a tendency to be hard on myself. It is also no secret to anyone who knows me well that I have a lot to work on. We all do, I know this, but the things I need to work on are OBVIOUS and affect other people's lives. I'm too blunt, too loud, too bossy, too opinionated, too hard on people... the list goes on and on and on.

As I was harping on myself and cataloguing all my faults I remembered something that a friend wrote in my yearbook my senior year of high school. While most of my "friends" wrote something that was completely surface, devoid of depth and inconsequential (which, incidentally, is a perfect description of my high school, both the education and the people) I had one friend, Brianna Farr, who wrote something that has somewhat become my mantra. She wrote, "...You are the greatest example to me because you never change for anyone. You're Fressia through and through..."

Isn't it funny how something that can be a strength - when too strong - can be a fault? One of the things I pride myself on is that I am exactly what Brianna said I was. You get what you see. If I work for you - you never have to wonder how I feel about something. If you work for me - you never have to wonder what I want from you. If you are an acquaintance of mine - you pretty much know everything about me solely by realizing that you know nothing about me and that I don't care for you to know. Unless of course you're a friend of mine (notice there are no quotations around that word this time). If you're a real friend of mine you know me inside out and backwards and you love me anyway.

I don't know where I'm going with this post except to say that I wish people would realize that I mean them no harm. I know that I am perceived as a pretty tough person, that generally people are afraid of me because I'm higher energy than most, I'm not afraid to fight for what I want, and I'm not afraid to tell you what I think. I think sometimes I get an extra bad wrap because people aren't inclined to look past those things to see my intentions and the reasons for the way I am. For the most part, I don't mind when people don't understand me, I know I don't understand people. But what I do mind is when people that I care about, or people that I want to care about me, aren't able to look past my surface, past my faults, to see what motivates me and why I do what I do.

So I guess I ought to give a shout out to the ones I really care about, the ones who do know me inside out and backwards and love me anyway. Like my best friend Kindra, I haven't seen her since 2003 and she's still the best friend I could ask for. She's seen me at my absolute worst, but she knows that doesn't cancel out my best. My little sister Brit, who knows EVERYTHING about me, and though I drive her crazy and she can't understand why I do what I do, or why I am the way that I am, accepts me as I am (though I think she still wishes she could change me). Jess and Tristen, who though they were my employees, turned out to be my friends too, and now that they're no longer my employees and we're still friends, I know that they weren't humoring me just because I was the hardcore-mean-boss-lady.

I come across as tough and heartless and so many other unpolished adjectives. That's not really who I am...

Let me take a moment to feel sorry for myself...

2009-05-02T19:59:00.005-07:00

You know what? I'm tired of being single. So tired of it.

I do realize that it's probably my fault.

I don't go to a singles ward - too many bad experiences.
I don't go out with friends - I don't have many (and those I do have aren't single).
I don't go to any singles activities - I have no one to go with me (read comment above).

Yesterday I decided that I was in fact going to start going to the singles ward after I got out of my family ward. So I looked up the time of the ward I'm supposed to attend: 1:00 PM. Not too bad. Except I don't get out of my ward until 2:00 PM. Which would mean I would have to ask to be released from my calling - and I've come to really like those litte five year-olds.

So, just to recap: I AM SO READY NOT TO BE SINGLE ANYMORE.

But what more can I do? (I'm seriously asking for suggestions, because I'm at a loss.)

Stupid Advertisers

2009-02-24T14:03:00.005-07:00

This morning I went to Danny's Family Car Wash where I paid $55 to have my oil changed and my car washed. (Yes, Rebecca, I did read your $$ saving blog, and I agree, but I still upgraded from the Basic Wash to VIP) I also agreed to "a $40 wax for $15" when the guy at my window told me about it. The birds keep pooping on my car and my boss told me that getting regular waxes helps save the paint from the acid in the bird-turd.

This blog isn't about car washes, oil changes, or the fecal matter of those in flight. It is, however, about the damn flyer left on my car while I was inside Fry's buying mini-loaf pans to make banana bread for the people with whom I work.

I have been irriated for years by businesses and people who think they have the right to solicit their services by leaving trash on my personal property. Yes, I know it's petty of me, but after a long day of work, I'm so excited to get home and just relax. However, the sweet release of coming home to a quiet apartment where no one is asking me questions or expecting me to be perfect is instantly marred when I approach my door to see a yellow piece of rolled up paper wedged into the loop of my door handle. It's infuriating (pehaps I need medication...).

So what do I do? I throw a fit. I grab the paper, look to see who left it, contemplate calling the damn place to leave some choice word's with the manager whose business apparently doesn't have enough clout to survive on reputation or have enough money to produce a TV commercial. After that thought, I crumple the paper and throw it in the rocks outside my apartment. Littering. I do the same thing in the parking lot when I come outside to find that someone has put their grimey hands on my car. Thus, littering in the parking lot.

So today as I was getting out of my sparkling white, freshly cleaned, well oiled, little white car at Fry's a dark little man with greasy hands and a towel slung over his shoulder said, "You want?" while thrusting a blue coupon for Cobblestone Car Wash in my face. I politely told him, "No thank you," and went inside to by my loaf pans. I came out to see that same blue coupon tucked into my driverside window. I looked at the coupon that advertised an oil change for $19.99 (the irony was not lost on me) and then noticed a greasy finger print on my window. Again with the infuriation. As I was driving out of the parking lot I saw the little man and started to aim the car in his direction. I refrained.

So I came home and did some research about the lawfulness of people touching my car in order to advertise their goods and services. Turns out there are all sorts of loopholes (go figure) to get them in trouble and for them to argue, but basically, there is nothing I can do unless I put "Do Not Solicit" stickers in my windows. Which, I think, can be done tactfully and I plan on looking into it. Then there will be hell to pay for any who decide to pick up my windshield wiper to put brightly colored paper underneath it.

But until then I will continue to throw trash on the ground and I encourage you all to do the same. My plan is that one day the earth will be covered with these stupid flyers and they will make a law that says, "Don't put flyers on stuff for which others have paid money."

My Blog is Up and Running Again

2009-02-19T12:58:00.002-07:00

I took down my blog a while ago, because I just didn't think it was fun enough to look at or read. I don't have funny kids, funny things don't happen to me, and I'm not very creative. However, ever since I took it down, I find myself seeing things, thinking about things, or appreciating things that might fit nicely in a blog.

That being said, this blog is now again open to the public, but it isn't going to be like your blog. At times it might be depressing, angry, or self-righteous. Other times it maybe funny, light-hearted, or entertaining.

This is MY blog - MY vent space - MY opinions - MY project. Enjoy!

Burglarized

2008-08-27T21:15:00.003-07:00

I think someone is breaking into my apartment.

I think someone breaks in about every week and a half.

Perhaps more frequently; but I only notice every week and a half or so.

I am not living in fear.

I do not believe the intent is to do harm. Or vandalize. Or threaten.

I do believe the intent is simply to ANNOY.

And it's working.

Every two months or so I buy two sets of ten white hangers and one set of five wooden hangers. At any given point in time I calculate that I should have 10-15 spare white hangers and three to four spare wooden hangers.

So why is it that every time I do laundry I somehow have to start putting two tank tops on one white hanger? Doubling up my jeans on one wooden hanger?

WHY ARE MY HANGERS DISAPPEARING?!

A FressiaISM

2008-07-23T21:37:00.002-07:00

I have noticed:

People who expect much, give little.

People who expect little, give much.

It is such a simple idea:

You get out of "it" what you put into "it".

I realize that I'm young, but in my 27 years I do not recall an exception to the previous sentence.

May - June - July in Review

2008-07-13T17:21:00.015-07:00

In May my hair got blonder....

In June I found an apartment to move into in order to avoid the fire breathing roommate. I was tired of living in fear of her going Tanya Harding on me. I've come to the conclusion that girls should NEVER live together unless they're related. And then only sometimes.

So July First I left work early, went to Aunt Terry's to borrow Sandra and the truck and hauled all my stuff out to my cute new place.

Oh yeah, Jarom helped too.

In July I got to see my Dad! He came home from Iraq for 10 days. He met up with his daughters in Vegas! I lost my camera with the majority of those pictures from then. I was SO SAD. Dad bought me an early Christmas present though and got me a new one!

Check out my super-cute, super-pregnant little sister! That's Bostyn Rene in that bump.

So that's a quick update for all of you random people who keep finding my blog! Hello to you all, by the way. I will get around to checking out your blogs and making comments. But life is busy, you know how it is. Next up is pictures of my apartment all put together, and the family reunion.

Becoming Healthy

2008-06-16T20:42:00.002-07:00

I met this guy a while ago, and let's be honest, I was kinda diggin' the guy.
Well, that didn't work out. But don't worry about it because I got something out of it.
BIKRAM YOGA.
Holy crap.
Have you ever gone swimming and dropped your towel in the pool? (Or had it thrown in by someone who thinks they are funny?) That is how wet my towel was. At least it was as wet as that after you wring it out.
Not one part of my clothing was dry. I'm dryer when I get out of the shower.
At certain times weird places were tingling, as if asleep. For example, the front of my ankles, or my upper chest.
Did I mention Bikram Yoga is done in a 110 degree room?
I only felt as though I were going to die for about two minutes.
The rest of the time I just felt as though I were going to pass out.
I'm going again tomorrow morning at six.

Time to Brag..

2008-05-07T21:33:00.006-07:00

As of 8:00 AM Friday, May 9th I am officially a

COLLEGE GRADUATE.

I will have a BA in Literature.

For the first time in my life I finally finished something big.

I am the first in my family to earn a degree.

I must say, I am quite proud of myself.

So what is next, you ask?

For the time being I'm sticking with Wells Fargo.

I've fooled them into thinking I know what I'm doing.

They've just promoted me to Service Manager.

(Basically that is an Assitant Manager.)

I'm going to be an aunt of four in September.

Two boys, two girls.

Brit and Jason are having a baby girl!

Congratulations to them!

They now live in California, so I will see them all the time!

Life is changing and I love it!

I finally feel like my life is beginning.

I don't know exactly why that is, but I like the feeling.

Things are finally going to slow down for me.

Any suggestions of what I can do to fill up all my new found spare time?

No classes after work, no homework after classes.

I wonder how long it will be before I decide to overload myself again.

To Cut or Not To Cut?

2008-05-01T22:16:00.002-07:00

I got my hair done last month. Pretty drastic change for me with all that blonde... I rarely do anything to my hair but I needed a change.

I'm thinking of chopping it all off again... What say you?

Sisters by Chance-Friends by Choice

2008-04-27T22:17:00.003-07:00

I made this for a school project. It's a visual interpretation of two short stories (not that any of you care haha) but you can probably find yourself in it! Or your kids!

Sleepover with Kamryn and Kylee!

2008-04-19T15:28:00.018-07:00

A couple of weekends ago I had Kamryn and Kylee sleepover at my house. We had a lot of fun. For four-year olds they sure were inquisitive as to why I was the same age as their moms but didn't have kids yet. Kylee decided that I could marry her neighbor Tyler. I asked her if he was a big kid and she affirmed that he was. I found out later from Heidi that Tyler is six.

Making Cookies!

Jumping on Aunt Fressia's bed!

Crashing around 11:30PM!

Up and ready to go at 7:00AM!

Then off to B&N for books and story/craft time!

Five minutes after we left the bookstore:

Time to Catch Up...

2008-03-24T18:08:00.013-07:00

THANK YOU HEIDI FOR REDESIGNING MY BLOG!!
My cousin gave my blog its original look since I have no time (or proper programs) to do it myself.

I love Love LOVE hanging out with my little cousin Sandra but since she is growing up (fifteen!!) she has gotten all social and popular and hasn't had time for her old cousin. A couple of weekends ago Aunt Terry and Uncle Joe went to Texas (and visited my mom) so I got to stay with Sandra for a few days. Since she HAD to hang out with me, I took advantage of it. We went longboarding, shopping, to the movies, soccer games, and made cupcakes. These are some pictures from shopping, just hanging out and a couple from one of her soccer games.

Then there was the trip to LA to see WICKED again! I love that play. Loved it last year, loved it even more this year. It was another "girls" trip - Aunt Terry, Sandra, her friend Chelsea, Heidi, her friend Elisha, and I all went. We left on Thursday morning and made pretty good time despite the bathroom breaks for those who are pregnant, those with old bladders, and those who just plain ol' have use the facilities nearly constantly!

Got into some trouble in Palm Springs... but everything turned out fine!

Here are pictures from before the play. I highly recommend this play AND THE BOOK. =)

After the play!

And lastly, our fun on Hollywood Boulevard the next morning!

It was a FANTABULOUS time! Can't wait until next year!

Why Parents Should Let Their Kids Ride Bikes in the House

2008-02-29T20:27:00.006-07:00

While I was home Trev was trying to ride his bike around the house and Mom didn't really appreciate it:

Trevor didn't have school today. Since he can't ride in the house he decided to go play outside on his bike. As he was leaving Mom remembered that the new health insurance wouldn't kick in until tomorrow. So as he and his buddy Dillion were pulling out of the driveway Mom ran outside and stopped them.

"Don't be too stupid, our health insurance doesn't kick in until tomorrow," she said.

Trevor leaned over and opened the glove department and pulled out a little white box and said, "That's why Dillion brought this." It was a firstaid kit. Trev and Dillion started busting up and thought they were pretty funny. Then they drove off to the skate park.

About an hour and a half later Mom's cell rings, "I broke my collar bone, Mom." To which Mom replied, "This isn't a funny time to play a joke."

Trev then said he wasn't being funny and Dillion was driving him to the hospital right now. Mom said, "Nope, come home first. We'll see what we can do."

When I asked Mom how Trevy felt about that she said, "I don't care how much pain he's in today. I warned him and he's gonna have to suck it up until we can go in with insurance."

Oh, No Otra Vez!!!

2008-02-14T07:33:00.004-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I left class and arrived at my car only to find that I couldn't find my keys... I knew I didn't lock them in the car; I couldn't see them anywhere in there. I traced my steps back to class, and looked all over in my classroom. Didn't find them anywhere. So my roommate came and brought me my spare set of keys.

Now, I loved my key chain. It was a little leather strap one from J. Crew and we all know how I feel about J. Crew. I was bummed.

This Monday in class I asked my professor if he had found any keys in the classroom. A girl overheard me talking to him and she said, "There's a sign in the girl's bathroom that says something about keys that have been found."

So I checked it out. Sure enough, there on the bathroom wall is a sign with a photocopied picture of my keys that read, "KEYS FOUND in Women's Restroom. 01/29/08. Call (602)312 6960 message."

Now I probably shouldn't have posted their phone number up there, but, don't you worry about it, IT'S THE WRONG FREAKING NUMBER.

Not the end of my brainless story. Last night I went to J.Crew and bought myself a new keychain. Not as good as the original, but still cute.

This morning, I'm rocking a killer outfit that my brother's would throw up on...

I was so excited to go to work! Well, I went to the gym this morning (believe it or not) and when I got home I thought, "Ya know, I'm just gonna leave my keys in the car."

Went back out to the garage and for some reason unbeknownst to me, my dang door won't open. So I tried all the others. I'm thinking electric lock buttons aren't that great of an invention...

So, I should be at work in 12 minutes. The locksmith just called, he said he's stuck in traffic but he should be here shortly.

There's No Place Like Home

2008-02-11T22:23:00.000-07:00

(I don't know how to make this blog line up and look nice. Sorry.)

And Home Is Where Your Heart Is...My dad is going to Iraq for a year. A retired firefighter (he was a fireman for 23 years), he has decided to fire up his career again. He'll be fighting fires on our military bases. I haven't been back to Texas for quite some time; with work and school it hasn't been an option. However, when Mom emailed me, "Dad is leaving for Iraq on the 11th," I immediately bought a plane ticket out to their small little hicktown to spend some time with my family.

Brad and Jamee picked me up from the airport. I got to see their super super cute house and Jamee's new little furball dog. His name is Teddy Ruxpin but everyone calls him something different. I think Mom's name for him is most fitting: Furby. I'm not a dog lover (nor am I a hater), but this is one stinkin' cute little furball.

I also got to play with Brad's horse-of-a-dog, Baghera. I can't help but like that big dog either. She's just so HUGE and fun to play with. Some Things Never Change...

Growing up my family had family prayer every night. No exceptions. Almost every night played out the same way. It seemed there was ALWAYS a wrestling match either before or after the prayer. If it was before, it always took about fifteen minutes to actually get to the prayer and Mom would be getting frustrated with Dad because he "was keeping the kids up past their bedtime." So although every one is except Trevor has moved out, it still takes fifteen minutes to get prayer started. This time it wasn't a wrestling match, rather it was a pushup contest. I won! (Not really, but I didn't really try, I could have kicked some MAJOR Whitehead butt!)

RYLAN~KYLER~LANEY

I can't believe how big they are getting! Rylan is seven and no longer my baby nephew. He already comes up to my shoulder (I know, I know-not a hard thing to achieve). He probably thinks I'm such a dork because I still talk to him like he's four. I just can't get it through my head that my first nephew is all grown up.

Kyler has turned into the funniest little kid I know. The things that randomly come out of that kids mouth crack me up. For example, at one point I was asking my mom, "Where am I going?" Then Ky's little voice chimes in, "Mental." I looked at him and this adorable giggle erupts from his mouth. He totally knew he was making fun of me! He's FIVE! He's already to much like his dad and uncles.

Then there is Laneybug! She's no longer a little chumpalump! She's tall and thin and talks like crazy! Mom and Nikki do exercise videos after they run in the mornings and Laney will get right in there and exercise with them. She's actually pretty coordinated for a four-year old. And she's still such a little cuddlebug. She, by far, gave me the biggest and best hug of everyone when I went home.

My First Haircut...
Mom has always been the family barber. This time she taught me! I cut Kyler's hair first. His was a real haircut, complete with buzzers, scissors and a comb. Rylan's was just a buzz cutt, so he helped me with that one.

And Then There Is My Littlest Bro, Trevy...
He's not so little anymore... and he's so cute in his own little frumpy way. Poor kid is the only one left at home... but he's still a handful.

For BRIT

2008-02-06T20:05:00.000-07:00

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

2008-01-20T20:07:00.000-07:00

by Francisco J. Garcia Seijas
I've learned that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.
I've learned that it's not what you have in your life, but who you have in your life that counts.
I've learned that you can get by on charm for about 15 minutes. After that, you'd better know something.
I've learned that you shouldn't compare yourself to the best others can do, but to the best you can do.
I've learned that it's not what happens to people that's important. It's what they do about it.
I've learned that you can do something in an instant that will give you a heartache for life.
I've learned that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I've learned that it's a lot easier to react than it is to think.
I've learned that you can keep going long after you think you can't.
I've learned that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I've learned that either you control your attitude or it controls you. I've learned that learning to forgive takes practice.
I've learned that there are people who love you dearly, but just don't know how to show it.
I've learned that money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I've learned that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I've learned that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

Climb On!

2007-11-11T20:19:00.000-07:00

It's been years since I've been rock climbing. I used to do it a lot with my older brother and cousin Joey, but since we all moved away from places where there is a plethora of places to climb (Utah, Joshua Tree, City of Rocks), I haven't gone as much. But Brad flew in from Texas this weekend and he and George decided to go climbing at Pinnacle Peak in Scottsdale and Jess and I got to go! It was so much fun, I forgot how much I love doing all the cool stuff with my brothers, (motorcycles, rapelling off water towers, climbing, shooting, fixing cars, boating, potato guns, wrestling, etc.) Here's some pictures of the good time!

Jokes Folks!

2007-10-22T21:00:00.000-07:00

A turtle was walking down an alley in New York when he was mugged by a gang of snails. A police detective came to investigate and asked the turtle if he could explain what happened.
The turtle looked at the detective with a confused look on his face and replied “I don't know, it all happened so fast.”

Why does Snoop Dog need an umbrella? Fo Drizzle...

Texan: “Where are you from?”
Harvard grad: “I come from a place where we do not end our sentences with prepositions.”
Texan: “Okay – where are you from, [donkeybutt]?”
(Content edited for little readers.)

How do you get a kleenex to dance?… Put a little boogey in it.

The Anderson family just moved into their new home when a neighbor asked 5-year-old Tommy Anderson how he liked it.“It’s great,” Tommy said. “I have my very own room and my brother Alex has his own room, and Jamie has her own room too! But poor mom, she is still with dad…”

The invisible couple had a kid and he isn’t much to look at either!

Two boys are in a doctor’s office and one turns to the other and says, “What are you doing here?” The first kid says, “Well, I’m getting my tonsils out.” The other kid says, “I had that done. Don't worry, it’s not that bad. You get to lay around the house, eat ice cream and not have to talk to anyone.”Then the other kid says, “That’s good to know. What are you doing here?”The first kid replies, “I’m getting circumcised.” The other kid responds, “Oh man, I had that done… and it took me a year to learn to walk!!”

What did Delaware? She wore a brand New Jersey!

The trouble with being punctual is that nobody's there to appreciate it. ~Franklin P. Jones

A substitute teacher was trying to make use of her psychology background. She began her class by saying, "Everyone who thinks you're stupid, please stand up."Right away, Little Johnny stood up.The teacher said, "Why do you think you're stupid, Little Johnny?" "I don’t, ma'am, but I hate to see you standing there all by yourself!"

I HATE Scorpions!

2007-10-21T13:42:00.000-07:00

I've always been afraid of and disgusted by Scorpions.

Last night, I got stung by one.

Last night I stepped on one of God's ugliest creations and paid for my assumption that walking around a dark house barefoot is ok.

Last night I didn't fall asleep until around 6:00 AM. Oddest pain I've ever experienced. My foot and ankle felt numb, yet I could still feel so much pain. It felt like there was a hot iron being held on the arch of my foot, the bones in my foot and ankle were aching and to top it all off it felt like a thousand needles were pricking my foot.

Disgusting worthless creatures. Seriously, what are they good for? What purpose do they serve?

How to Fix the Kitchen Sink

2007-10-07T15:42:00.000-07:00

So there's been an odd smell in the house in this one spot in the kitchen. However, the house is very clean and organized so I couldn't figure out what the problem was. Last night, when I ran the garbage disposal I figured out that the smell was coming from the sink. So I called my mom.

Me,"Mom, I think the sink stinks, what do I do?"

Mom, "Run the disposal with the water running for three or four minutes and then pour baking soda down there and let it sit for a while."

OK. Emily, Jessica and Sandra were on their way over to visit so I texted Emily and asked her to bring a box of baking soda. She did. She's a good cousin.

I split the box of baking soda between the two drains.

I let it sit over night.

Did I say that I split the ENTIRE box of baking soda between the two sinks? It was a big box of baking soda. This pictures was after the whole fiasco, that's why the sinks look grodey. I cleaned them.

Sunday morning went like this.

Me, "Mom, I think something is wrong with the sink. It won't drain. I did what you said with the baking soda."

Mom, "Stir it up. Let the water dissolve the baking soda. You left it in there too long." (She never gave me a timeframe.)

Half hour later after stirring the grodey water in the sink.

Me, "Mom, it didn't work."

Mom, "Here, talk to your father."

Dad, "Hi Honey, I hear you're having problems with the kitchen sink."

Me, "Dad, I am having a problem! Mom told me to put a box of baking soda down the sink and now when I turn on the water in one sink, the other sink fills up with water FROM THE BOTTOM! When I turn on the disposal all the water goes out of the disposal sink and fills the other sink. When I turn the disposal off, the water goes right back into the other one so they both get filled again. The water is just going back and forth between the sinks. It's gross."

So my kind father walked me through how to fix the kitchen sink.

#1. Find out where the clog is located. In this case, it was in what is called the "P-trap," the U shaped part of pipe under the sink.

#2. Find a bucket that will catch all the water or you're going to have a big mess on your hands. Place this bucket under the pipes.

#3. Loosen the bolts and the water will start to leak out. Then all of a sudden it will explode and the P-trap will fall off and a ton of water will come rushing out and you'll think that your bucket isn't big enough to hold it all so you'll scream and say, "Hold on Dad!" and run out to the garage and try to find anything else to catch the water. You'll run back into the kitchen with a cooler that is already half filled with melted ice only to find that your estimation was correct and the previous bucket was large enough to hold all the water. But it was a close call.

#4. Take the bucket out into the front yard and empty it and look into the P-trap to figure out what is clogging it. Realize that about six inches of pipe is blocked solid with baking soda. #5. Go out to the front curb with a butterknife and pry out all the soggy baking soda.

#6. Try to put the sink back together. Call Cousin George because it just doesn't seem right and you're afraid to turn on the water for fear of flooding underneath the sink

#7. Have George confirm that you did everything correctly, tell you your house doesn't stink anymore, say, "Ya think?!"

#8. Be totally proud of yourself for fixing something by yourself!

#9. Write a blog about it just for all those who like to read about the everyday happenings of your boring life.

Camping/Wakeboarding

2007-10-07T15:13:00.000-07:00

Kristen sleeping on the boat. I should have thought of that and I wouldn't have been woken up FOUR times by a SKUNK. But I didn't want to get sick sleeping on the boat. Plus there was a fire to keep me warm, ya'll know how I feel about being cold.

I'm tired... Didn't get much sleep. Can you tell?

Davey and Barry. Davey looks like he's pledging allegiance to the flag.

It was really cold that morning. Kristen is freezing. Barry's keeping her warm.

Another cute picture of me and Davey. We're both looking our best, for sure!

Kristen is a little more awake.

Two hot girls! (That were really cold.)

Rich, keeping me warm. (Yes, I know the pictures are sideways but I'm too lazy to fix them.)

Davey was the first one in the water.

Then it was Rich's turn.

Then it was my turn.

Then it was Barry's turn. But for some reason I didn't take pictures of that. Sorry Barry. But I think I took this one while you were wakeboarding.

Then it was Kristen's turn.

All in all it was a very fun boat trip! Thanks Barry!

Life's Not Just School and Work

2007-09-26T22:10:00.000-07:00

I used to be a lot stinking stronger.... Don't know what happened. Check out George's farmer's tan... haha. I miss wrestling. I used to wrestle all the time with my brothers and dad. They all left me - but now my cousin is home from his mission! Let the butt-whoopin' begin! (Mine anyway...) This match started because he was making comments about my age... and my lack of companionship at this age.... Too bad I can't find someone like.... super young, eh? HAHAHA. JK - I love ya cuz!

2007-09-15T20:39:00.000-07:00

I PROMISE I WILL PUT A NEW BLOG SOON!! I HAVE PICTURES ALL READY - JUST NO TIME TO DO IT...STAY TUNED... LOVE YA ALL, FRES

ASU Game

2007-09-02T15:12:00.000-07:00

Now, I don't really support ASU because I think it's a crappy school - but I love football and I love football games, and baseball games, and soccer games, there's just something about being outside at games that I LOVE and wish I attended more often...

Random Pictures

2007-09-02T14:56:00.000-07:00

As anyone can tell I have the cutest nieces and nephews in the world... You can also tell that I'm pretty much the cutest person in the world... And despite the fact the ya'll know I have basically no social life - I still have the most fun of everyone in the world... I keep myself entertained. Good thing I have my handy dandy camera on my phone to document all this. Now, see the picture of me and Justin (he's adorable, I work with him, one of the nicest guys in the world) anyway, see the tie? One of the guys left it at work and I put it on, and I wore it all day because I thought it honestly looked kinda cute. So did my friend that I work with... what do you guys think?

Silly Kamryn

2007-09-02T14:24:00.000-07:00

Peace Peeps...Kam is the most fun to take pictures of....See what I mean? She was stading in front of the fan making a different face every time I said, "1, 2, 3!"

I've been tagged...(Thanks Heid)

2007-08-31T19:33:00.000-07:00

4 jobs I've had
1. Gymnastics Coach
2. Gymnastics Coach
3. Gymnasics Coach
4. Wells Fargo

4 movies I can watch over and over
1. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
2. Top Gun
3. Raising Helen
4. Pursuit of Happyness

4 places I have lived
1. Gilbert, AZ
2. Indian Wells, CA
3. Chicago, IL
4. Rexburg, ID

4 Guilty Pleasures
1. Watches
2. Blogging
3. Pedicures
4. JCrew/Banana

4 places I have been on Vacation
1. Turlock, CA
2. Spokane, WA
3. Palm Desert/Indian Wells, CA EVERY summer growing up, (it was the highlight of my year)
4. Dallas/Fort Worth, TX

4 favorite foods
1. Taco Bell
2. Maple Donut
3. Mom's Spaghetti
4. Homemade tacos

4 websites I visit
1. Gmail
2. Facebook
3. Blogs
4. ASU

4 places I'd rather be right now
1. the future
2. Mom and Dad's
3. the movies
4. Lake Powell

4 books I love (I like this one)
1.Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
2.The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
3.Wicked by Gregory Maguire
4. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

4 things I would like to know how to do
1.carpentry
2.play the piano
3.calm down
4.swim correctly

4 things I worry about
1. my family
2. myself
3. my future
4. getting skin cancer

4 happy moments
1. When any niece or nephew is born
2. Brit getting engaged
3. being able to walk normally
4. wakeboarding again

4 things I want to do in the future
1. graduate
2. have a family
3. figure out the tricks to life
4. build a hope chest

4 people I am tagging
1. Nikki Whitehead
2. Cami Hales
3. Kristy Reese
4. Sabrina Bollenberg

What time is it?

2007-08-24T19:52:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of my latest project... it's a clock. I've made a few of them. My neice Kylee is helping me with it. I started this project when I was staying with Heidi in her beautiful new home. It takes me a while to finish these clocks, just ask my best friend in the whole wide world Kindra, she's still waiting for the motor for her clock. It hangs on her wall with the hands and everything, but it won't tell you the correct time. The motor is down in my closet. It came in a package from Clockparts.com about three weeks ago. I just opened the package this morning. Yes, my life is that busy. I opened the package this morning because I remembered that I bought a cute, little three dollar, red watch from that website too. I wore red shirt to work today (it's Friday, we always wear RED on Fridays. Red is my favorite color) and I wanted to wear it. Anyway, now the clock-in-progress is under my bed. It's got the name on it. Still missing numbers. So instead of putting the numbers on it I'm updating my blog. My blog is my fun thing since I can't do anything else. If I go out to play volleyball with people from work or play games with my cousins I'll feel guilty because I should be doing homework. Or sending Kindra her clock motor...

Soda...

2007-08-16T18:41:00.000-07:00

There's nothing quite like a soda.

I woke up late this morning so I didn't get out of the house until about 7:05 AM. Because of this I had to skip my daily trip to the QuikTrip... all morning all I could think about was my soda! (And no, I'm not addicted - I drink unleaded Diet Coke now.) I ran over to QuickTrip on my lunch and filled up, only to find that they are out of blue lids... I'm kind of spill-prone and I just got the interior of my car shampooed... luckily there were no mishaps today. I didn't even spill on my shirt! And I'll post the after-lunch picture to prove it! (Actually - I'm just posting this picture because people have complained that I write too much on my blogs and I need to put more pictures. And because I think I'm hot...) Anway, back to my soda... I sat in my car drinking my soda and listening to KTAR NewsRadio (catchin' up on my current events) and I thought, "This is heaven." Soda is my peaceful place. It's like my stress reliever. Not that I'm stressed out ever.... I'm pretty much the most relaxed person I know.

The picture is Kipp. I work with him and I wear his name tag everyday. According to Kipp it's because we are "a couple." That's what he tells the people who ask why we are named the same... it makes no sense... but if you know Kipp that wouldn't confuse you at all.

First Time Wakeboarding Since My Accident

2007-08-12T16:08:00.000-07:00

January 22, 2005 I blew my knee out wakeboarding. Not your typical "blow my knee out" ACL incident, but literally tore EVERYTHING that held my knee together. I had four reconstructive surgeries over the next eight months and LOTS of physical therapy. I hadn't wakeboarded since then, until yesterday. I went out with an old friend and some of his friends. I got up on the first try, popped right out of the water! I didn't get hurt and I did really well, despite being more scared of something than I think I've ever been.... here are some pictures from yesterday.

Check out my bionic looking leg...

This is Barry, he owns the boat...

Here is Davey...

Tubing has to be one of my favorite things - I always have the most fun on the tube...

Here's me and Davey on the tube...

And some more random ones...

Reasons Why I'm Not Married

2007-07-30T19:36:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about this a lot lately, especially since Matt and I broke up.
Sometimes I feel bad about it, sometimes I'm happy about it, and sometimes I'm just not thinking about it (surprisingly). However, with my long commute to work, and my impatience with the incessant advertising on the radio I have a lot of time to ponder my solitary lifestyle, the pros and cons as well as the reasons why.

#10. I have moved all over the freaking U.S. and never stayed put long enough to drop roots anywhere. But, I've loved it all and learned a ton and I'm grateful I've had the opportunities to move a lot. It makes me more well-rounded.

#9. I was in love with a guy who wasn't in love with me for SIX years. That's right... six years! I missed out on a lot of opportunities because of how I felt about this guy. But I also had alot of fun because of him (a very memorable roadtrip with my sister where she ended up hooking up with his little brother). I'm sure everyone who reads this blog and knows me knows the first and last name of this guy.
#8. I'm a workaholic/schoolaholic. School and work take precedence over my social life. Not necessarily because I want it that way, but because I'm good at those two things - not so good as a socialite. I love my studies and my work.

#7. I'm content to hang out with the fam. I have the most fun with my family - cousins, siblings, mom, nieces/nephews, aunt, dad and three close friends. They appreciate me and all my idiosyncrasies... or rather they tolerate them and love me despite them.

#6. I have issues. It's hard for me to believe in "true love" even though practically everyone I'm close to has found it. Or claims to. Meet the pessimist in me.#5. I haven't found someone who doesn't get worn out by me. I've heard I make people tired. And though that sounds like a bad thing - I take it as a compliment. #4. It's hard for me to fall for someone. I might be picky. But I don't think that's the case... I just always fall for guys that I wouldn't marry.
#3. I might be intimidating. Which is odd since I'm extremely shy myself in a lot of situations. (See #8) I'm loud, I'm bossy, I'm usually right unless you can convince me otherwise, I'm opinionated and passionate about almost anything I'm involved in. I care deeply about a lot of strange things that don't make any sense...
#2. My sister once said that I'm very unique (mom thinks so too). Brit said (with all the sweetness of a loving sister) that I'm not easy to deal with and it's going to take one heck of a special guy to actually be able to handle me. Once again, I take that as a compliment.

#1. ??????????????

Why I'm going to get my first "C"

2007-07-24T20:03:00.000-07:00

We were SO excited about our boards! It was well over 100 degrees outside and we couldn't even wait until the sun went down.

Check me out - I'm about to do a triple-kick-flick-flack-switch-side-a-roo. Too bad George took the picture at the wrong time - you all would have been able to see it.

Here George is just attempting a switch-side-a-roo. He's not quite at the level that I am. He's learning quick though.

Umm... "Even the best fall down sometimes.."

We were on the road... but a truck came to close for comfort so we decided to carry our new toys... cute picture though, eh? I like it.
Now check out the video... we had too much fun - we laughed at this video for ten minutes. Make sure your sound is on.

Finding Respite in My Studying

2007-07-21T17:55:00.000-07:00

Jabberwocky

by Lewis Carrol

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;

All mimsy were the borogoves,

And the mome raths outgrabe.

Spending some QT with Payton Kali

2007-07-17T20:13:00.001-07:00

For more of Payton click on Kristy and Brian's page link...

Blast from my PAST

2007-07-16T22:40:00.001-07:00

Mom - I bet you can sing this word for word, eh?

How about this one?

FREEDOM OF SPEECH!

2007-07-16T20:53:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I'm currently enrolled in an English class called, "Race, Sex, and Identity Online." Until last night I've found it rather boring, as it had very much to do with MUD's and MOO's... which I'm still confused about but I know that it goes back to a game called Dungeons and Dragons from the 70's and is sort of like a chatroom... whatever.

Anyway, last night I got pretty fired up about something I read for the class. Apparently, in one of these MUD's, LambdaMOO to be specific, a Virtual Rape took place. Virtual Rape? What is Virtual Rape? Ok, let me tell you the story. A man signed in to this MUD calling himself Bungle. In this room there were "identites" named Starsinger and Legba, amongst others. In the chat room Bungles said that he had a voodoo doll that made others in the room do things. Keep in mind that this is all text, actions are written as text, for example, "Bungle walk across the room and sits down next to Starslinger." So back to my story; Bungle narates that he has a voodoo doll and he starts attributing actions to other identities in the room, primarily Legba and Starsinger. He begins attributing horrible, horrific, disgusting sex acts and acts of violence to their identites. Apparently Legba was traumatized by this and caused quite an uproar about the effect it had on her. Good for her I guess... Took it to court and everything, where it was thrown out - freedom of speech. This protected Bungle.

But this is why I became so irritated by this story: This didn't affect her REALLY. She let it affect her, she chose to let it affect her. She was Legba, she was anonymous, more than likely, no one in the room knew who she was in real life. If she doesn't want crap like that to happen, why doesn't she stay away from the chatrooms? And if that was too much to ask of her, why didn't she at least leave when Bungle started writing this junk?! She could have just walked away and made a sandwich and gone on with her life. Calculate your risks.... if you don't want to be exposed to that crap, stay out of the chatrooms. Just like if you don't want to increase your chances of getting raped in real life, don't walk through a dark park by yourself in a bad part of town where rapes frequently occur. Duh.

Not the end of my story. I had somewhat of a change of heart from tonight's lecture in this class.

Story #2

A student from Michigan University posted libidinous and violent descriptions of himself raping and murdering of a fellow student, complete with her name and everything. Now, these were only descriptions, there was no action of this at all. How freaked out would you be to google your own name (which I know we've all done) and see that come up? So this went to court also and it too was dismissed. Freedom of Speech.

So here are my questions:

Where do we draw the line? So many things about "freedom of speech" have been contested.

1957 US Supreme court determines that "obscenity is not within the area of constitutionally protected speech or press." Obscenity is defined as "material which deals with sex in a manner appealing to prurient interest." (I had to dictionary.com "prurient" - it means 'causing lasviciousness or lust") So in other words, if it turns ya on, it's obscene. There goes Matthew McConaughey... seriously though, that's a pretty general term.

1962 the definition of obscene was narrowed. It now had to be "so offensive on its face as to affront current contemporary standards." I added emphasis to contemporary. I work with a bunch of crude males, I dare say that absolutely nothing obscene would affront them, and the are a pretty good representation of today's society. Therefore, nothing would be ruled as obscene and we can have porn on the billboards and in the windows at the mall. Because it does not "affront current contemporary standards."

Also interesting to me is the whole debate on speaking ill of the country and it's leaders. In 1918 the Sedition Act was passed that which prohibited any form of criticism of the US, the government or the flag.

1942 US Supreme court determines that "fighting words" are not protected by Freedom of Speech but the rest of the stuff prohibited from 1918 on was protected. "Fighting words" being something that can be considered a threat to the government.

So what do we do? Although I hate all the negativity regarding America and it's polictics and politicians, we can't stop it because of freedom of speech (and I'm not arguing that we should.) We can't tell people what they can and can't post on their websites. We can't say that Victoria Secret can't put pictures of girls in thongs in their window displays. Nor do I want to. I'm not a fan of laws. I honestly wish that the US was the way it was when the founding fathers started the country. There didn't have to be a law for every little thing... but times change, and things do have to be addressed. And people do have to be protected. But where do you draw the line???

2007-07-11T19:57:00.000-07:00

Books are a HUGE part of my life. I LOVE to read. It doesn't matter what it is - I'll read it. Some things I appreciate more than others - some things I don't appreciate at all, in fact. I can't say that I always have my nose stuck in a book because I enjoy many other things in life, TV, movies, my job, being outside, talking to family or friends... wait, just family - I don't have friends that I talk to.... Anyway, yesterday I went on my lunch break and I didn't have any errands to run, I wasn't going to Taco Bell for the first time in a month because I actually packed my lunch, and I had forgotten to bring my homework to work. So I had NOTHING to do at lunch but eat my turkey and mustard sandwhich. I sat down and chewed and became acutely aware that I had nothing for my mind to process while I chewed and it drove me crazy! I finished my sandwhich in all of five minutes and took my self back to work. I could not stand not having something to read. I resolved to remember my reading material the next day.

So I've decided to steal my friend Kristy's idea and do a Book Review label however, it's not really a review of the book, more like what I got out of it. I just started a new book yesterday, so you can look forward to that soon!

Count Your Blessings...

2007-07-08T20:55:00.000-07:00

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3842331/

Over the past few years I've visited the site above many times. The pictures always bring a range of emotions that get me thinking about my own life and how fortunate I am to live in a country that, although it is not perfect, is better than any other I can think of or know about. Not only that, but I also live a life full of comforts that many, even in this country, don't enjoy.

So often I get bogged down by the things I don't have (a husband, kids, my own house, a college degree) and the things that I haven't experienced (traveling, marriage, being the best at whatever...) that I forget to be thankful for the things that I do have (an amazing family, tons of beautiful nieces and nephews, a college education) and have experienced (living in Chicago, having a beautiful roof over head, being pretty darn good at most things I put my mind to.)

It's not an easy thing to be thankful, at least not for me. It's not easy to focus on the positive when the world trend is to focus on the negative. We're bombarded with negative images from the media, negative comments from coworkers, gossip, fascination with the horrific, etc. I would love to be able to be conscientious of nothing but the positive around me. It would be nice if someone would tell me the secret to being able to do this.

Anyway, click on the link. Enjoy the pictures and be grateful for what you have. And remind me to be if you ever hear me complain. Which you will.

They Latest Big Event

2007-07-08T18:57:00.000-07:00

Brittany is married! She and my new brother-in-law, Jason, now live in Long Island, New York. I'm so excited for her and can't wait to go visit. She was married in the San Diego Temple May 19, 2006.

2007-07-06T21:56:00.000-07:00

I should be posting my opinions on Mary Wollstonecraft's "The Vindication of the Rights of Women" on my English class's discussion board right now rather than posting a random and thoughtless blog on my newly renovated BlogSpot; however, after a grueling Friday I find it therapuetic to write inconsequential sentences that only one or two people will actually read.

So this is my new blogspot. It previously contained a lot of fun pictures but due to recent events it will now only contain boring pictures that I took of myself because I have no one else who finds my blue eyes and bright smile worth the memory stick space.

I realize I am one of very few whose BlogSpot isn't titled by the plural form of my last name... that's because there is only me. It may not be allowed to have a blog spot if one is single and lacking offspring but hopefully I'll slip through the cracks... so far I've not had a problem with that. :)