Twilight....Again

So.

Twilight.

Yeah.

Honestly. About Thanksgiving time I was just as skeptical as the rest of you who are rolling your eyes right now. I must say... I started the first book in the series probably 3 or 4 times without getting through the first chapter. And I have done my best to make up for my initial utter disregard by telling everyone I can about my change of heart. I finished all four books within about a week. I was a little miffed that Mrs. Meyers ended them how she did, with so many unanswered questions- but at least all the "really" important loose ends were tied up.

Anyway. I saw the movie the first time with all my family members that had read the books and kept raving about it. I went just to go- you know, following the crowd. I really liked the movie, but I think I was mostly confused a lot. So then I read the books. I remembered a lot of the movie, and how it was quite different than the books, so I really wanted to watch it again once I had all the detail you're intended to have when watching the movie. I have never watched a movie twice in the theater (well- maybe Titanic, but I instantly regretted it) mostly because I don't believe in wasting money on movies like that, they're just as good once they come out on video. BUT, because I had read the books and felt like I missed so much my first time through, I caved and went with some fam to the dollar theater ($3- not like Provo....) in Logan tonight. I must say....read the books first.....

Also, the rest of the theater sounded like they had read the books too, unlike the first time I saw the film (unless I was just too uninformed to notice). They all laughed in places where it made no sense for them to laugh in the movie; spots where it seemed more like an inside joke for the readers. I was more unsettled by the glaring differences, but I appreciated the movie so much more!! I want to go again in Provo....I know, right?!

Anyway, I think it's safe to say I'm a little obsessed. I can't remember the last time I felt like this....about a BOOK!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

Yesterday was my birthday. I can't say I was super excited. I turned 27, and I kept telling Tyler that I couldn't believe it was my 37th birthday. Yeah, I was so depressed I jumped a whole decade. Anyway, even though I'm having anxiety about turning another year older without having babies or being done with school....it wasn't all bad.

I slept in as long as I could- until about 10 am. When I woke up, Tyler made me heart-shaped pancakes. Isn't he adorable? Then I got to open presents. Tyler got me some books that I really wanted. I know it may not seem exciting, but I picked them out, so it really was exactly what I wanted. He also got me some beautiful roses, they smell so good! Then I got to open the present from my mom that I've had sitting next to my bed since we got home from our Christmas trip. As always, she individually wrapped a bunch of really cute things. My favorite part was the knee socks. Once again, I know it's weird, but I LOVE socks!! I wore the earrings she got me all day long. I never wear earrings and I NEVER wear dangly earrings, so it was a really fun change!

After I opened my presents, I sat there reading the books I got for about an hour. While I did, Tyler cleaned the whole house. I felt bad, but he did such an amazing job, and it WAS my birthday....

Then Tyler and I went out to run some errands. We went to Home Depot to look for some stuff for the house, then to Wal-Mart to get some last minute items, and some string cheese. I can't even tell you how much I LOVE string cheese. I can't just chomp the whole thing like some people, I HAVE to tear it into little tiny strings and eat each one individually. Mmmmm string cheese.....

So when we got home, it was sprinkling a little outside. Just a little. Travis and Heidi (Travis is Tyler's cousin and Heidi is his beautiful wife- they live just down the road)came over about 5 minutes later. We opened the door for them and realized that some real rain had started. We're talking sideways rain, like angels dumping buckets. It all came right in the door, thanks to the fact that we don't have even the tiniest overhang. We set up all the food and got everything ready, then everyone started showing up. The rain only got worse. I felt really bad that everyone had to park on the street, since we're in a townhome with not a lot of parking. So most everyone was soaked when they got here. Because we have crappy white carpets, we also had to have everyone take off their shoes. The pile of footwear was huge. I was eating my sting cheese as everyone arrived. All my family came!

This is the first time I've been in Utah for my birthday in years, thanks to the fact that World of Concrete has falled on my birthday every year. I had so much fun spending time with so many of my friends and family.

When enough people were here, we decided it was time to cut the cake. I chose a white cake filled with apricot yummieness from Costco- no I did not make my own cake. The cake had huge frosting balloons on it. I chose it because I knew people like Heidi would appreciate the extra frosting, and everyone else could just scrape it off. Travis cut the cake for me- thank you! And we also had ice cream with a bunch of toppings too. Yummy.

Our house is small. I mean really small. Especially since it's a townhome so it's long and skinny. Luckily the kids had a fun time playing downstairs with our old video game consoles and the box of toys we've accumulated. We had a lot of fun talking and playing games before everyone had to get going.

Kent and Cassie (Kent grew up with Tyler in Washington- Cassie is actually from Washington to, come to think of it) stayed to hang with us longer than anyone else. We went to dinner at Olive Garden (OF COURSE) and had such a long wait for a table that we went across the street to Downeast Outfitters while we waited. I love that store. I love their clothes. I never feel uncomfortable, or worried that something that shouldn't would show. I found a hot pink shirt for 50% off. Their clothes are already cheap, so I just HAD to get it! No matter how much of my life is centered around masculine things, I always need a little pink to girly me up.

Anyway, so then we went back to Olive Garden. There were so many people in the waiting room that the servers brought out snacks like daiquiris and bread sticks with dipping sauce. I love Olive Garden food, but my most favorite thing they have is bread sticks with Alfredo dipping sauce, so YEAH. I always order the exact same thing when I go to Olive Garden, so I knew what I was getting until I sat down. Then, for the first time ever, I changed my mind. I ordered the Little Italy. Lasagna, chicken parmigiana, and fettuccine Alfredo. The menu said I would get small amounts of each. When the plate came, I almost choked on my bread stick. The plate was seriously 3 times as big as everyone elses. Oh crap..... So I ate what I could and shared the rest. The change of pace was worth it. I really enjoyed all the different flavors.

After dinner we went back to our house, played a little Seinfeld trivia, and watched, "The Secret Window." Now that was a weird movie.... I knew I didn't like Johnny Depp. When I saw that he was the star I wasn't sure what I thought because he's always a weirdo in movies. Turns out, my first instinct was right! (Sorry if you haven't seen it) After the movie we noticed that the weather had taken a turn for the worse again- the ground was covered in an inch or two of slush. Kent and Casie were a little reluctant to leave, I think. They had quite a drive back home and it was really yucky outside. Around 1:30 they decided it was time to go, and Tyler and I were up until about 2.

What a great birthday! Thank you to everyone who helped me celebrate!!!

New Hair and other Randomness

So I know it's been a long time. Honestly, why can't I keep up with this? I read everyone else's blogs all the time.

For my birthday, Tyler convinced my lovely sister-in-law Michelle to do my hair. I got highlights (blond streaks) and lowlightes (red-brown streaks) put it. She did a great job and it didn't take very long either. Of course I don't have pictures yet (MAN I'm slow at things like that) but I will soon.

On another note, I was recently able to take a business trip to Washington D.C. I attended a conference called the TRB (Transportation Research Board) where thousand of people from all over the world come to talk about the research they are doing. I learned so many amazing things, and I'm now re-exited about my dissertation. (I worked on it this summer, but had to take a break for the Fall) While I was there, I went with my new friend Wendy to see all kinds of cool things that Tyler and I didn't get to see this summer. I hope to post some pictures soon. D.C. was crazy because we were there only a few days before the inauguration. Luckily, most of the craziness was due to locals and not tourists so we had private tours through some of the sites.

Tyler and I were also able to spend the long weekend with the Rogers clan at the Bear Lake Cabin. The fog rolled in and out constantly. When it was out, we had clear views all the way to the lake. When it was in, it looked and felt like someone was holding pillows up to the windows. We drove down to the "beach" and were surprised to find that several people had been brave enough to drive their cars out onto the ice. CRAZIES!! We didn't go that far, but we did all skate around on the frozen shore. It was really fun! And cold.

Speaking of cold. I was just noticing that the temperature in Spanish Fork is currently 7 degrees. It's lunch time for crying out loud! Boy am I lucky that the walk from my office to my classroom is roughly 100 feet.

Tyler is at the career fair right now. For anyone who hasn't spoken with us recently, Tyler has been struggling to find a job in the slumping economy. Construction Companies just aren't hiring right now. The other issue he's having is that we need to stay in or just around Utah until I'm able to finish my classes this August. We may just have to compromise and send him away somewhere for the summer. Then I'll meet him when I'm done. It's not the ideal situation, but if it's what he has to do to get a job, we'll do it I guess! I won't be able to pay the mortgage past August.

What else, what else, what else. . . . Can you tell I'm procrastinating doing something else? I have a lecture in a couple of hours, but I also have A LOT of reading to do for my two MBA classes. I'm telling you, working full time and going to school full time is no picnic. I'm sure there are many of you who know just what I'm talking about.

Alright, I guess I'd better get back to doing something productive. Picture soon, I promise.

Clarification

Mr. W is the "wind" It IS a really weird video- but totally funny.

FOUND IT!! Meet Mr. W.....

You may have to watch it twice to really appreciate its magnificence.....

Latest

We had a great holiday. I'll post pictures when we get them all downloaded. We spent Christmas in Washington, and headed to Hawaii the day after Christmas. Luckily the Portland Airport opened just in time for us to fly out- without any problems. The airport was packed with REALLY mad people, but we were able to get right through security and on our plane. Somehow our seats ended up not being next to each other. We didn't realize this until we were in the plane, trying to figure out why some girl was in our seat. Oops. Good thing we didn't say anything before we checked the tickets! That would have been SUPER embarrassing. So we flew to Hawaii and I read the, "Last Lecture" book. I loved it. I balled and laughed out loud. Everyone that was sitting next to me kept looking over in my direction... I also laughed out loud to a SUPER funny commercial they played, if I find it I'll post it. It was a CRACK UP. I've decided that I don't care if I laugh out loud and people stare. If something is funny enough to warrant an out-loud laugh, then let the people stare!!

When we got to Hawaii we got some dinner then went back to the house. We exchanged late Christmas presents, when all of a sudden.... the power went out! Now this wasn't any normal power outage, this was an ISLAND WIDE power outage! The last time that happened was when the earthquake hit a couple of years back. We didn't lose power for a week and a half snowed in in Washington, but we lost power on a normal and clear night in Hawaii. What luck. We were actually pretty lucky because the airport was shut down and all the planes were diverted to other islands. If we'd landed only an hour or so later, we would have been stuck!! Good thing my dad is prepared for World War III, so we got to cook dinner and watch movies. SUPER FUN! Plus we got to play with Corbin again!!

Meagan had all the Twilight books so I didn't waste any time. I started reading New Moon that night with a head lamp, after we turned off the generators. I took the other two books on the cruise. Because I didn't want to miss too much time with family, I didn't get through all of the books. I have 150 in Breaking Dawn left. We had to leave before I finished, so Ty picked it up for my at the library today so I can finish. I'm HOOKED!

But I digress....the cruise was AWESOME! The went to Kahului, Lahaina, and Whalers Village on Maui; Hilo and Kona on the Big Island; and Lihue, Kauai. Hilo was really wet. But seriously- when is it NOT raining in Hilo? And there was a little rain in Lihue, but for most of the cruise it was sunny and warm. Tyler and I got a little bit of a tan. Not tons- but no skin cancer either! The food was great. Isn't that what a cruise is really all about? I love the idea of being able to order EVERYTHING on the menu, and not feeling bad for taking only one bite, realizing I don't like it, and leaving it there. Tyler and I got to try lobster without the high cost, and luckily we realized that we don't like it so we'll never have to spend a ton of money on it!! Woohoo! The week went by way too fast, and before we knew it, we were on a plane back to Utah. Tyler must have forgotten where we were going back to, because he packed his jackets and wore shorts and a short sleeved shirt. Crazy, silly boy. It was about 7 degrees outside when we got home. Last night it was 0 degrees. Lovely. Luckily it's been so stinking cold that there was pretty much no ice on the cars. All the snow stayed snow, so that was nice. It's pretty scary driving around here though.....

So as soon as I get pictures, I'll post some!

P.S. We LOVED everyone's Christmas pictures!!