Hungry???

I had such a cool opportunity last week - that I wanted to share it with you! I went to the Utah Valley University 6th Annual Hunger Banquet last Thursday with my mom and my little sister Sh. I didn't know much about it other than it was a charity event to give money to the food bank in Utah County - so I was excited to attend.

When we arrived we were each given a number and an assigned place at a table with colored paper placemats. Mine was red, Mom and Sh's were a Cream color. We noticed there was one place setting at the table that was really nice! It had a nice cloth napkin, an entire set of silverware, a cloth napkin, glasses to drink from and a pitcher of water and a pitcher of lemonade and even a brownie. As people were sat at our table we said hello to them and made some small talk (my mom knew a couple of them since they were students in one of her classes) while we waited for the program to start. When it started the event coordinator told us that the placemats were color coded by our new assigned Socio Economic Status. My Red placemat indicated that I was a working class individual (it was quite fitting since I pretty much looked homeless that day - I wasn't going to see T so I didn't bother looking nice for class - oops!) My mom and sister were middle-class and luckily, there was no Snoody snood at our table (I had to play the role you know). We were excused to get our dinners. My sister and mother had pizza and soda. I had half a cup of plain white rice and half a cup of plain black beans.... thank goodness for Pepper.

What an experience it was! I sat there watching people interact at our table, and eating my beans and rice. Lucky for me, I spent a year and a half eating beans and rice for lunch and dinner so I didn't mind it. However, two of the other people at our table refused to eat the beans and rice and were angry that their $7.00 ticket paid for only that. My mom and sister both offered me some of their pizza but I wanted to enjoy the entire experience. There was a mother and her son at our table as well. The son was assigned rice and beans with me, and the mother got pizza. I watched her promptly give him the pizza and eat the rice and beans herself. I started to wonder how often that happens and remembered my mission and how the people there did things like that all the time! Missionaries, husbands and kids ate first. If there was anything left, the mother would eat. It made me really appreciate my mother even more!

By the time I left that evening, my pockets were empty (I gave all the money I had) and so was my stomach (beans and rice aren't very filling) - but my heart was full! I was so happy to have had that opportunity! I remember being poor when I was younger - but we were never beans and rice poor! I hope to make this a tradition and attend every year. It is that time of year when the food bank is emptying quicker than it is filling! I don't want people to be hungry! It's not a fun feeling!

12 days and counting

Whew! What can I say about life right now other than the fact that I am in a blissful state - and have been for the past 12 days... (if stuff like this grosses you out - don't read... I'm sure it'll be mushy - that's for you Les) I briefly mentioned in my last blog about going on a date with T... I think this would be the time to elaborate seeing as how one date has become 12 amazing days!

T and I met through a friend in July for business purposes. I thought he was cute but figured I wasn't his type... I was meeting him to hire his services (no thinking dirty!) so obviously I was in need of help! We had a nice meeting and I decided that I wanted to work with him (there may have been alterior motives there) and we soon set up an "official" meeting. After a couple of months worth of work junk and hanging out with our friend, he finally started to text me. At first it was business texting and then it became friendly texting.

Now, I'm not the "hinting" type but I have to say that I was giving some serious hints that I wanted him to ask me out... of course I wasn't going to ask him out - I'm too shy! ;) So, eventually he asked me out - and I was really shocked but excited! Our first date was great - It was really relaxed and chill. We went to Starbucks (I highly recommend the hot chocolate) and then watched some DVD's at his house and had dinner. The entire time we talked about anything and everything but the fact that we were actually on a date... we're both pretty shy I guess! The next day we spent it texting one another and finally talking about the "date" and decided to go out again... Since then we have been spending as much time together as possible!

We have spent hours upon hours talking and getting to know each other better. He is an amazing guy! He is so polite, smart, funny (he even gets my odd humor), and respectful! In fact, he didn't kiss me for a few days, so finally after one DVD had been watched I couldn't wait any longer - the anxiety was killing me - He asked what we should do next and I told him he should pick out another DVD for us to watch - but that he should probably kiss me first. He was totally shocked but kissed me and I completely melted. It was soft and gentle... magical I'd have to say. *sigh*

I know it's been only 12 days and that's really quick for many people - that's quick for me! But, in our defense - we have known each other since July... and I can't say much more other than it just feels right! I haven't felt this way.... ever!

Update!

I haven't blogged in what seems like an eternity and I have so much to say and don't necessarily know what to say or how to say it!

In any case - Halloween was great! Baby A was the cutest bear I've ever seen. Plus, Toodles (my dog) was a bumble bee! Oh man, and boy was he the cutest bumble bee ever! Baby A trick or treated at my office the day before Halloween and enjoyed himself. He loves getting candy! Trunk or Treat was so much fun too! My primary kids came and I'm pretty sure I gave each of them 3 cavities worth of candy! :) What can I say I love them!

On the 1st it was my parents 28th anniversary - Yay for them! I think I should probably throw them a party for their 30th anniversary.... or is that even a big one? They aren't really party people anyway!

Also on the 1st was my friend M's baby shower! She is so stinking cute! I was happy to be a part of the shower - hopefully she gets some use out of the pedi gift certificate - it was partly for her hubby J too... now he doesn't have to paint her toe nails! Besides, who wants to be naked from the waist down giving birth without cute toes?! :)

And - on the 1st I went on a date with T, a guy I've known for a couple of months. It was really chill and really fun! I had a good time and we hung out last night too... I think tomorrow we will probably spend some time together too. He is probably the nicest guy I've ever met! It's a nice change of pace that's for sure!

Otherwise, nothing much has happened... Oh, I did find a purse that I am in love with... her name is julianne! (I didn't name her - she came named) And she is totally out of my price range. My financial planner said that I could not buy her... Somebody has to keep a non-biased eye on my finances because I obviously think I should be able to buy her! She cost as much as a long vacation... I can't really justify that can I???

I will try and be better at blogging... it's always nicer when I actually have something to say!!!

An apology....

So, last night I was seriously humbled in a parking lot. You see, lately I've been complaining about everything really (see previous post) - and thinking life is annoying right now. Until last night anyway.

My little brother and I went to Papa Johns to pick up some dinner (I do LOVE their veggie pizza) and as we pulled into the parking lot just minutes before 6 p.m. I sent him in to get it while I waited in the car. I then saw a man leave his car that was parked at the end of the parking lot. He was in a mechanics outfit - you know the dark blue pants and shirt with the name sewn above a pocket and steel toe boots. He was carrying a green shirt and khaki pants with a matching hat. I watched him walk into the pizza place, and a short 5 minutes later saw him leaving the pizza place in a new outfit, and carrying a warming bag with someones pizza in it as he got to his car, put a Papa Johns sign on the top of his car and left.

Normally I wouldn't think anything of it - but I realized that he went right from one job, to a second job. I started thinking about what his life might be like. I saw a wedding band so I know he was married, did he have kids? Did his wife work? Did he have to have a second job to make ends meet or was he getting a head start on Christmas money. My mind spun with questions and scenarios that were really unlikely... but made me start to think.

I am so blessed! I am lucky to have a family that I love, that loves me and is really supportive of me and my decisions. I have good friends that I can talk to and spend time with and feel about myself. I have a good job with good benefits and decent pay - and I don't have to deliver pizza at night to make ends meet, or to get a head start on my Christmas shopping. So, to anyone who reads ths - I apologize for being so negative lately! I truly am blessed! I guess I just needed a reminder. Who knew it would come at a pizza place parking lot.

Frustrations...

I was recently told by a friend that I don't keep up with my blog... and she's right. I'm trying more now - but my life isn't very interesting, so you end up listening to my rants and raves instead :)

I'm slightly frustrated by a few things.... I think I'll make a brief list and let it be.

1. Finding out that people you once respected are nothing but self-absorbed, shallow, and immature.

2. Work - I am having trouble being motivated to deal with all the crap I have to do....

3. School - For the same reason I'm frustrated with Work.

4. People who invite everyone and their dog to their bridal/baby showers. My good friend Melly invited 22 - what a great sensible number! Who honestly invites 70-90???

5. Balancing my checkbook - yes, I have a great financial planner and I'm saving money and paying down debt, it just means that I don't have as much money left to do whatever I want with. Who knows when I'll be able to buy another purse!


So, life isn't very interesting right now - but I guess it could be worse! At least I'm happy and healthy right?! :)

Walking Fool.... or Fool for Walking?

This weekend I embarked on a journey... walking a half-marathon. Yes, I know that most normal people actually run them - however, my group of walkers and I determined that our goal was to finish, not to make a good time! That being said... this was my adventure...

We arrived at the starting line an hour and a half early - it was a requirement, I would have rather had the extra sleep. So of course, my anxiety increased every moment we stood there. Finally we were asked to line up according to time. In the front were the people who run less than a 6 minute mile - apparently there are people who can?! On the other hand I was in the very back with my friends.

We started off strong and with all of the adrenaline pumping and the feeling of it being a race, I had to keep telling myself not to run! The first mile was the longest mile of my entire life! I tried to keep focused on walking in the middle of the road since it was the most level - but I can't walk a straight line for the life of me. Finally at mile two I was walking better - although kept psyching myself out. At mile three I had finally fond my groove and was walking along pretty quickly. Quick enough to feel like I was progressing better than mile 1 anyway. But then my feet started to hurt. I had put some padding stuff on my feet to keep me from getting blisters because my blister-free socks do not work as advertised. In any case, the padding had twisted and was giving me blisters - imagine that! At mile 4, I had to take off my shoes and socks to take off the padding. I noticed a small amount of blood on my socks but wasn't worried - and off I went. I was trucking along with my friends making good time but at mile 7 my feet started to burn!

[disclaimer - this could get graphic]

By mile 8 I couldn't walk a step further. Now, I was insanely disappointed because I can walk 13 miles! I can - I have walked them before so I was sure I would finish! I wanted to walk and I wanted to finish - but I couldn't make myself. 5 miles was too far for me to go to be able to finish. My feet were burning and liquid filled and I couldn't go on so I had to take the walk of shame to the sweeper van and end my half marathon. I had a nice ride and a nice chat with the driver but when I had some time alone in my car as I waited for my friends to finish, I had to cry... I was so ashamed and disappointed in myself. I wanted to finish and I know I can... It just wasn't going to happen that day!

My friends are amazing and they finished! I was so proud of them! I was worried about them so I kept driving up and down the route to make sure they hadn't been hit by a car, or eaten by a rattle snake (I'm not sure if there are rattle snakes there - but there probably are!), or severely dehydrated! The girls were amazing - and I cannot tell you how insanely jealous I was! Good for them!

My feet are attached still - which is about as good as it gets... my poor little toesies were blistered and bloody (I warned you - graphic) - and I can't walk at my regular speed even because they are so sore and still blistered...

I learned an important lesson I think - Just because you can walk 13 miles doesn't mean you should! Wait, that's not what I meant - Just because I didn't make it this time, doesn't mean I can't make it. I'm already planning on trying one in Arizona in January (any excuse for a vacation right?!) - it depends on the school schedule! So until then, I rest my poor feet until they are healed - and then I begin the torture again! Does anyone have a cure for blisters???

AARP at 27???

Maybe it's just me, but I always thought AARP was for old people... So, imagine my surprise when I get the mail out of the mailbox last night and find an envelope addressed to me, from AARP. Hmm... I was curious so I opened it. At first I thought it was funny that they were offering me a membership at a discounted rate - and then I noticed a postcard I received about a Senior Financial Workshop - and then I got annoyed.

Really - I understand that people sell my information - I get that. But, if you're going to sell my information - or buy it ... please please please, get it right?! I'm 27!!!! I don't qualify for AARP or a Senior Financial Workshop - I'm still 38 years away from that - that's longer than I am old! How annoying is that?! VERY!!!

In any case, I was in need of some financial assistance - seeing as how I have lots of debt (who knew graduate school would be so expensive?), not much income, and the parents are trying to kick me out (not really, but it sounds more dramatic that way) - so I figured I needed some assistance. I met with a financial planner and decided to see how it was to work with him. The BEST decision of my life! Not only am I forced into being more disciplined, but I'm saving money... and making a serious dent in the debt! I'm SOOO glad I did this! If you need a financial advisor... let me know! I love mine!