Today is a day of mixed emotions for me - it is the day my ex got married. Now, don't get me wrong, I definitely got the better end of the breakup, but I have OCD, so I sometimes ruminate about the how and why of our relationship, and why it is that he found someone to marry, but I have not. There are people who will tell me to 'let it go', or 'get over it,' but I prefer to think of it as learning how not to make the same mistake again. Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it, and quite frankly, I need to be smarter and not date anybody if it's at all reminiscent of my year with him.
I enjoy doing things as a single person - I don't have family responsibility and can spend money on shoes, but I have a righteous goal of getting married. There are many things I feel I need to work on (just in case the Lord decides to start implementing Old Testament punishments again); like many of us, I am a work-in-progress.
So, that was the reflective part of the day, and then there was the lazy part of the day with new roommate Lisa D, who is AMAZING! We went to the gluten-free bakery, got tons of food at Safeway, and then proceeded to watch a few episodes of Vampire Diaries. We keep having a debate about getting a 10'x8' poster of Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley, but we really aren't sure where to find it. We also came up with a great plan to get Lisa on SYTYCD; her story involves a pet monkey and a footie pajama onesie. Stay tuned to Fox...
The last thing I did tonight was hit the corn maze with some of the LDS mid-singles. It was highly entertaining, especially when they decided to trust my map reading skill implicitly. I could have been leading these people to a chainsaw massacre, and they happily would have trotted along behind me. Actually, there was a guy in a full Gilly suit with a leaf blower wandering around, but he was more interested in screaming bands of teenagers than in our Mormon posse. The midsingles are a fun, nice group of people, and I hope to participate in more activities in the future.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Station 45
So, I am working out here at the Fire Station, which I always find fascinating. Because I am in the basement, I can hear all the radio calls going out. You would not believe how many calls they get for old people who have fallen down. No wonder LifeAlert does such a good business!
Two calls that stand out to me today are (1) a bike versus a car in Moraga, and (2) a 5 year-old with a bloody nose at school in San Pablo. I understand the need for an ambulance at the first, but for a bloody nose? Maybe a lifetime of chronic bloody noses has desensitized me, but I would just tell the kid to lean his head forward, plug it with a tissue, and maybe put some ice on it. It's not like it's a femoral artery or anything...
Two calls that stand out to me today are (1) a bike versus a car in Moraga, and (2) a 5 year-old with a bloody nose at school in San Pablo. I understand the need for an ambulance at the first, but for a bloody nose? Maybe a lifetime of chronic bloody noses has desensitized me, but I would just tell the kid to lean his head forward, plug it with a tissue, and maybe put some ice on it. It's not like it's a femoral artery or anything...
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
I haven't written in weeks! Things have been crazy busy, and I just haven't been inspired I guess. Life has a way of catching up to me sometimes, and yesterday was one of those days. My boss looked at me and said I looked like I was 'spinning out.' Between juggling 3-4 clients this week at work, reading 4 chapters (100 pages) in my textbook, and trying to have a social life, I think I am starting to spin out.
General conference was last weekend, and it was amazing, although I have to say that it's much harder to pay attention when you have 5-10 friends watching it with you. It still found it to be a much needed recharge, especially the overriding message of the Book of Mormon.
I also ventured into lasagna making - Paula Deen did not lead me astray with 2.5 lbs. of meat and a pound of cheese. That got gobbled up pretty quickly, as did the gluten-free beignets. YUM!
General conference was last weekend, and it was amazing, although I have to say that it's much harder to pay attention when you have 5-10 friends watching it with you. It still found it to be a much needed recharge, especially the overriding message of the Book of Mormon.
I also ventured into lasagna making - Paula Deen did not lead me astray with 2.5 lbs. of meat and a pound of cheese. That got gobbled up pretty quickly, as did the gluten-free beignets. YUM!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Ch-ch-ch-Chia!
I know I cannot be the only one who finds this disturbing. What exactly are they supposed to do for me? I guess my main concern here is that if you take these, you will start growing green sprouts instead of hair.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Shark Night!
Last night, Lisa and I went to see the super craptastic film, Shark Night. It truly lived up to our craptertainment expectations, and honestly, the post credit rap video was worth the price of admission. Here is a small tidbit of it...I shouldn't have been filming in the theater, and it's super crappy quality, but I really wanted to share this with all of you since it brought me so much joy. I hope this inspires you to at least rent the film.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Reflections
Ten years ago, I was on the mission when the planes hit the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. I still remember that afternoon quite vividly; my companion, Hermana Gallegos (now Noemi McKnight) and I went to teach a second discussion in Valencia. When we walked into the apartment around 4:00 (10am New York time), the investigator had the TV on, and I saw the twin towers going up in smoke and asked her, "Oh, what movie are you watching?" It was shocking to find out that this was no Hollywood idea, this was the work of evil men intent on destroying America.
People started running up to us on the street asking me where I was from and asking if I knew anybody in New York. Thankfully for me, I did not, but there were many who did. After that, our mission president told us to avoid any areas with high concentrations of Muslims, and for us sisters to be home an hour earlier every night. There was one day where Noemi and I happened to go into one of those neighborhoods, and even being largely unaware of what was happening in the U.S., I was terrified. "Don't say a word'" she told me.
I never experienced the unity that so many spoke of in the days following 9/11, and in many ways, I feel as though there is more discord in our country than ever. When I came home, all I saw was a nation of excess, taking things for granted, and a general sense of entitlement. But, I still believe in the greatness of America: we want people to succeed, and give them opportunities if they work hard enough.
On another note, it's been a year since the breakup, and things are great. Over the past year, I have traveled a ton, had so many fun adventures, and of course, made some fabulous new friends. Life doesn't always go the way I plan for it to go, but it never leaves me bored. Thanks to the following: Mom and Guy for showing me what a celestial marriage is supposed to be (and for being silly).
Jeff and Daniel for putting up with me every week; you are like my brothers.
Terri, Leesh, and Mich for sticking with me for so long it's ridiculous; you all have qualities I can learn from.
To my church friends (there are WAY too many to name) for being generally awesome and making me smile.
To my roomie for being kindhearted and generous in a way that I don't know I ever will be.
And finally, to Shaine, who will always be my sister, no matter what. Team D.I.L. forever - I'm rooting for you!
People started running up to us on the street asking me where I was from and asking if I knew anybody in New York. Thankfully for me, I did not, but there were many who did. After that, our mission president told us to avoid any areas with high concentrations of Muslims, and for us sisters to be home an hour earlier every night. There was one day where Noemi and I happened to go into one of those neighborhoods, and even being largely unaware of what was happening in the U.S., I was terrified. "Don't say a word'" she told me.
I never experienced the unity that so many spoke of in the days following 9/11, and in many ways, I feel as though there is more discord in our country than ever. When I came home, all I saw was a nation of excess, taking things for granted, and a general sense of entitlement. But, I still believe in the greatness of America: we want people to succeed, and give them opportunities if they work hard enough.
On another note, it's been a year since the breakup, and things are great. Over the past year, I have traveled a ton, had so many fun adventures, and of course, made some fabulous new friends. Life doesn't always go the way I plan for it to go, but it never leaves me bored. Thanks to the following: Mom and Guy for showing me what a celestial marriage is supposed to be (and for being silly).
Jeff and Daniel for putting up with me every week; you are like my brothers.
Terri, Leesh, and Mich for sticking with me for so long it's ridiculous; you all have qualities I can learn from.
To my church friends (there are WAY too many to name) for being generally awesome and making me smile.
To my roomie for being kindhearted and generous in a way that I don't know I ever will be.
And finally, to Shaine, who will always be my sister, no matter what. Team D.I.L. forever - I'm rooting for you!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Busy bee
The past couple weekends have been busy for me, and the next few also promise to be eventful.
The weekend of the 23rd, my friend Alejandro (we refer to him as Alejo) was in town from Utah to visit the Colombian consulate. Since the consulate is in the financial district of the City, he only saw the not-so-scenic part of San Francisco on Friday. We did take him to Emerald Glen Park on Friday night for Leavitt's going-away to Arizona party, but wanted to show him around the more tourist-y parts of SF on Saturday.
We drove over to SF and went up Columbus St. to Lombard, where we stopped at the crooked portion.
Lisa and Alejo climbed the stairs while I waited at the bottom. Then, on the way back to the car, we noticed this quaint little gate and a small park, Fay Park. We wandered in there for a few minutes and decided it was a good place to play hide and go seek.
Next, we headed down to the Embarcadero, and more specifically, to Pier 39. We enjoyed the sea lions and the candy shop!
The next stop on our day of fun was Fort Point at the far west end of Crissy Field. It was super windy, but of great historical significance.
After this stop, we finally made our way over to Ocean Beach. It was overcast and cold, but we still put our feet in the water.
And, if you are Lisa's friend on Facebook, you can also see this video of a Seagull eating a crab.
Yesterday, in my apparently new tradition of going to Yosemite every month (Lisa and I are going on August 20th if anyone is interested), I drove myself, Alan West, Allison Orgill, Lisa Despain, and Ryan Heaton to the valley. We had a great time.
Allison, Alan and Ryan ended up hiking about 2/3 of the way up to Upper Yosemite Falls, while Lisa and I hiked about 1/2 mile of the same trail before she graciously agreed to hike on the Valley Loop Trail with me. We hiked from the Camp 4 all the way to Mirror Lake on that trail, saw Lower Yosemite Falls....
Lisa and I stopped at the Awahnee Hotel for about 20 minutes on the way to Mirror Lake, and once at Mirror Lake, we dipped our feet in (the water was cold, but it felt REALLY good on our hot feet). I managed to drink almost my entire CamelBak full of water, which is a good thing, because it was HOT!
We rendezvoused with Ryan, Alan, and Allison at the Camp 4 bus stop right at 3, and then headed back to Curry Village to get the car and head home. It was a long day (we left the church parking lot at 6am and got back at 9pm) but it was really fun, and I can't wait to do it again.
The weekend of the 23rd, my friend Alejandro (we refer to him as Alejo) was in town from Utah to visit the Colombian consulate. Since the consulate is in the financial district of the City, he only saw the not-so-scenic part of San Francisco on Friday. We did take him to Emerald Glen Park on Friday night for Leavitt's going-away to Arizona party, but wanted to show him around the more tourist-y parts of SF on Saturday.
We drove over to SF and went up Columbus St. to Lombard, where we stopped at the crooked portion.
Lisa and Alejo climbed the stairs while I waited at the bottom. Then, on the way back to the car, we noticed this quaint little gate and a small park, Fay Park. We wandered in there for a few minutes and decided it was a good place to play hide and go seek.
Next, we headed down to the Embarcadero, and more specifically, to Pier 39. We enjoyed the sea lions and the candy shop!
The next stop on our day of fun was Fort Point at the far west end of Crissy Field. It was super windy, but of great historical significance.
After this stop, we finally made our way over to Ocean Beach. It was overcast and cold, but we still put our feet in the water.
And, if you are Lisa's friend on Facebook, you can also see this video of a Seagull eating a crab.
Yesterday, in my apparently new tradition of going to Yosemite every month (Lisa and I are going on August 20th if anyone is interested), I drove myself, Alan West, Allison Orgill, Lisa Despain, and Ryan Heaton to the valley. We had a great time.
Allison, Alan and Ryan ended up hiking about 2/3 of the way up to Upper Yosemite Falls, while Lisa and I hiked about 1/2 mile of the same trail before she graciously agreed to hike on the Valley Loop Trail with me. We hiked from the Camp 4 all the way to Mirror Lake on that trail, saw Lower Yosemite Falls....
We rendezvoused with Ryan, Alan, and Allison at the Camp 4 bus stop right at 3, and then headed back to Curry Village to get the car and head home. It was a long day (we left the church parking lot at 6am and got back at 9pm) but it was really fun, and I can't wait to do it again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
