Unplugged

I'm staying with my brother and his family in San Diego until I find a job. I've been here almost two weeks and my brother has had some recurring advice for me already. You're probably thinking it's 'get a job' or 'move out already' but it's not. It's actually only one word of advice-- 'unplug'.  I'm on my computer looking for jobs, checking my email, etc. I get off the computer and 10 minutes later, I'm looking something up on my phone [because I can]. I admit, it's a little excessive so I'm attempting to cut back. Nothing extreme, just being in the moment more instead of on my phone or computer. Instead of turning to my phone for Twitter or Facebook in the lulls of the day, I'm finishing a book I started awhile ago or exercising or playing with my niece and nephew or writing letters or figuring out and setting new goals.

Interestingly enough, I checked my Twitter feed a little bit ago [it was the first time all day, promise]. I follow the sports writer, Rick Reilly. He tweeted this earlier today: My son unplugged himself for 90 days w/surprising results. Check this out, then hire him as a writer for your ad firm! [link to his son's website www.bodycopybyjake.com]

The video is short, sweet and thought provoking. So I'm sharing it here. I thought I was being good by scaling back...this dude takes the cake. Enjoy 'The Amish Project'.

What'd you think?

I Made It

700 miles, 2 pit stops, $50 in gas and one fender bender later (someone rear-ended us, but no notable damage to my car), I'm here in San Diego. Late afternoon Friday, my mom, Kylee and I drove down packed tight in my little go-kart. We may have slowed from 75mph to 60mph while we climbed hills, but I am so proud of that little car. It's completely rundown on the outside, but it sure has a lot of heart. Bonus: it's really great not to have a car payment while I look for a job.

I had a minor freakout in my brain after a job interview. San Diego is expensive and you have no job! Crazy! What are you doing? But, I made a visit to the temple [so incredibly gorgeous inside and out] and felt peace. Nothing compares to that feeling of knowing everything will work out as it should, if I'm doing what I'm supposed to. To top it off, two general conference talks that really spoke to me in 2011, came up in a row as I drove from the temple to Blair's for dinner.

First: Waiting upon the Lord by Elder Robert D. Hales
Second: The Spirit of Revelation by Elder David A. Bednar

If you know anyone who is hiring down here, let me know! :-)

I'm Going There Someday

...probably Tuesday :)

2012: Just Do It

I'm sticking with an athletic apparel slogan for my yearly theme again this year. Last year it was Under Armour, this year it's Nike. I'm a sporty kind of girl so I'm okay with it.

2012: Just Do It

Sometimes I can take too much counsel from my fear of the unknown and end up keeping myself from doing good things. Whether it is as simple as giving a compliment to a complete stranger [they might think I'm weird!] or as big as moving to California without a job [the economy is horrible, the cost of living is so high!]. 

 It stops today.

Consider this an official announcement that I'm moving to San Diego, CA in 13 days. [Long story short: I received an opportunity to work and live in Germany for all of 2012, I quit my job in Utah as of Dec 30th, the opportunity in Germany fell through so now I'm moving to San Diego to look for jobs in Southern California :-)]

Life can take every unconventional turn to get you to do something and though nothing may seem logical and you're full of fear of the unknown, there are deeper fibers in your soul that push you forward to embrace each twist and turn.

I guess that's what 2012: Just Do It is all about.

2011: I Will [Get Through It]

I realized just exactly what my theme for this year  meant a few weeks ago as I reviewed events of the year.


2011: I Will [Get Through It]

It has been a hard year.

To 2011 I say-- Good riddance!

Before I Forget

Thanksgiving weekend was wonderful. The numbers around the table were smaller than normal, but still great. My sister and her family hosted the meal for me, Mom, Grandpa and my brother-in-law's good friend and his family. I should post the recipe for the sweet potato casserole I made-- delicious! My sister found the recipe in the newspaper and I decided to try it out. After dinner we sat around the table for a little while listening to Grandpa talk about economic times of his life and his advice to us. I liked that. He recalled a pound of ground beef costing $0.15 when he was growing up! Then it was time for pie. Skye made pecan, banana cream and chocolate cream pies. The banana cream was made with a homemade custard. Mmmm!

The rest of the evening continued as follows:

Connect Four

Sorry

Nala curled up for a nap

some piano playing by my niece and nephew and me.

Bananagrams! So fun!

ended the night with some scripture reading

Excuse the pics from my phone, but I wanted to capture all the fun things we did. The following day my mom and I drove down the St George to attend the temple (I only need to visit two more in the state of Utah!) and then we drove back. I read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins out loud on our drive down and back.

Sunday night my roommate and I hosted a sushi night at our place. Successful weekend!

Mike's homemade sushi.

Chocolate Shakes

Dad's decision to get a chocolate milkshake vs. any other flavor was always based on one question:

"Is your chocolate milkshake made with chocolate ice cream or vanilla ice cream and chocolate flavoring?"

To be honest, I didn't care how they got the chocolate flavor....I just loved a milkshake! So, when I bought myself a chocolate shake today, took my first sip and said "Nope!" (as in "nope-- not made with chocolate ice cream") aloud to myself in the car, I had to laugh. 

Guess I cared more than I thought.

While we're on the subject of shakes, I'd also like to say this-- a milkshake, by definition, is a drink. It should be able to consumed by a straw. If it can only be eaten by a spoon it should be advertised as soft serve ice cream [because that's what it is].

P.S. Thanksgiving recap and photo dump to come soon. I've been in a bad streak of posting without photos, my apologies.

Push Along

Love this excerpt from President Eyring's talk during Priesthood Session in October:

...form a habit of pushing on through the fatigue and fear that might make you think of quitting. The Lord’s great mentors have shown me that spiritual staying power comes from working past the point when others would have taken a rest.

Onward and upward!

Dear All Things That Go Vroom,

If you are ridden or driven on two wheels, do me a favor and park towards the back end of parking stalls. Please?
Sometimes it totally bums me out to think I've found a great parking spot in a busy parking lot only to turn into the spot and be surprised by your tiny self parked at the front of the parking space!

Love,
Me

P.S. On days when I'm in a hurry and such an instance takes place I am tempted to park my tiny go-kart of a car (I think the politically correct term is "coupe") behind you. Believe me, I could totally fit. I haven't yet done it, but, beware!

P.P.S. In all seriousness, thanks for making me burn a few extra calories to and from mi coche!