Keeping it Reale

Movies I love.

2012-01-17T12:55:00.003-07:00

JLG and I have been discussing what kind of movies we like. She likes Ironman, The Fighter, mystery movies, etc. I do too. In fact, I loved Captain America. And The Fighter! But, what I really like are those slow, make you think movies. Pretty much anything by Focus Feature Films. Somewhere between comedy, drama, and romance. Hard to explain. Oh, and I like war and sports movies too. Goes with the stereotype, what can I say?

Anyway! Saw a flick last night I had to spread the news about:

Beginners.

So. Good!

My favorite characters was the mom and the dog. Obvi.

But I also loved this:

Anna: You can ask me anything you want.
Oliver: Anything? What's there?
Anna: That's a tree. And Cars. Another building like this one. People in the building like us, half of them think it's never going to work out, the other half believe in magic. It's like a war between them.
Oliver: How do you know so much about people?
Anna: Well, you have to learn how to read their faces.

It was perfect. Two thumbs up.

Awkward Turtle.

2011-11-30T08:42:00.002-07:00

Listen, I am 100% supportive of all who choose to wait until marriage. Honest.

But I must admit, I have never felt so awkward for two people on their wedding day in my entire life. Please enjoy this:

PS: Five dollars and a Diet Coke for whoever can get the code to go away on the sidebar of my blog. The end.

You know...

2011-11-14T17:06:00.008-07:00

Completing master's degree (officially) last week was pretty awesome. It was a lot of work trying to finish while working full time. But, I did it. I freaking did it. I offish have a Master's in Political Science.

I wrote a really long thesis on The Correlation Between Local Government Tax Revenues and the Existence of Federally Designated Wilderness Lands. If you want to fall asleep, let me know... I'll let you read it.

Anyway, what was even cooler than finishing was this:

I am so grateful for all of the support and love I've gotten as I finished. Seriously, I am truly blessed with such great friends and family.

And dog.

A Normal Day

2011-10-25T16:25:00.002-06:00

In the lives of JLG and myself:

JLG: Can you find me a Savers out here by my school?

ME: Sure, here you go: [Insert address on the west side of SLC]

JLG: Thanks! You're a life saver.

...Ten minutes later.

JLG: Ps: I don't ever want to go into Savers by myself again. EVER. Holy shit.

Kimbo on FB

2011-07-19T14:33:00.001-06:00

Please note that was her status update...

Ang.

2011-07-13T14:48:00.001-06:00

Angela:
I'm trying to save money
So I can become a gypsy

me:
Oh, right
and have a gypsy wedding?

Angela:
Probably

All I can think about this week...

2011-03-16T15:29:00.002-06:00

Jennie
Let's just agree that whatever happens BYU needs to lose.

Me
I hate them so bad.
Who are they even playing? Don't care.
I just hate them.

Jennie
haha
They play Wofford.

me
Doesn't matter.
Doesn't even matter.
Wofford has to win.

Coach Taylor, please come give my Aggies a little pep talk. We need to win. And BYU needs to lose.

Amen.

"ROTFLCOPTER!"

2011-03-03T22:33:00.001-07:00

Oh, Amy Poehler...

2011-03-02T22:34:00.001-07:00

"How important are speeches? I don't know, why don't you ask the Gettysburg Address...Oh, it didn't answer your call? Maybe because it is in the Smithsonian!"

Guys, Parks and Rec is fabulous!

In case of an emergency...

2011-01-31T22:06:00.003-07:00

This weekend I tried calling Kimbo (mom) and JJRJR (dad) probs 10 times. Not an exaggeration. I would say I tried calling them each 3 times a day for 3 days in a row.

Each time...No answer.

If there was an emergency it would be useless for anyone to try and contact my parents. I might as well just put someone else down as an emergency contact.

In case of an emergency: Don't contact my parents because it might be weeks till they answer their phone. Oh, and don't bother leaving a message either.

I finally got my youngest sister Amanda to pick up tonight.

Me: Kimbo, I tried calling you a million times this weekend.

Kimbo: I know, I have no idea where my phone is.

Not to mention, I can only think of a handful of times I called my parent's house and didn't get this message when I got to the voice mail: "The mailbox belonging to The Reale Family is full. Thank you."

G-Chat = Ability to survive work.

2010-12-17T11:49:00.001-07:00

me: Why does it say you are offline?

J: Um.. Hard to say. I FEEL online...

I could do this all day. Also, Nerd Alert.

2010-11-30T11:39:00.002-07:00

Me:
I literally still don't know the answer to the a while/awhile debate.
"Finally, just to make it confusing, if you rephrase the previous sentence and replace the adverb with a prepositional phrase, you need the noun again because an adverb can't be the object of the preposition."

DG:
hahaha
ok, try this.
you said I'll make fun of you for a while.
are you describe the manner you'll make fun of or describing a length of time

Me:
Si.

DG:
So, since you're describing the length of time, it's a noun.

Me:
Seems like time would be a verb.
But, okay.

DG:
But if you were talking about the manner in which you were doing something, like "mocking awhile"
The time would be a verb? That doesn't even make sense. Verb is an action word.

Me:
Obvi.
And time moves.

DG:
haha.

Me:
Like, time is moving.

DG:
Right, so does a car
but that's not a verb

me:
But a car is a noun.

DG:
haha
exactly
you need some grammar bootcamp, baby gurl

Me:
But time is always moving. I don't know. I just see time as a verb for some reason.

DG:
hahaha
def not a verb.
haha

Me:
Dione, I want it to be a verb. In my heart.

DG:
And in my heart I want unrelatedly to be a word. But its not.
welcome to grammatical disappointment.

Me:
Damn that unrelatedly. I swear I'm putting it in my thesis.
YOU WATCH! I bet no one will catch it either.

DG:
hahaha.
Probs not.
I want to use it enough that it becomes a word.

Me:
"Unrelatedly, systems of higher education in America are broken."

DG:
Like "normalcy" and FDR.
hahaha.

Me:
I mean, there are so many ridiculous words that are ACTUAL words that it makes no sense those aren't. Also, It makes no sense that time isn't a verb.

DG:
no. it makes perfect sense.
How would you conjugate this "verb"
Well, ok. I guess you could.
But then it is used as a verb. Haha.
Then "time" would be the verb in the infinitive form.
and that makes no sense.

Me:
Dione, I feel like me realizing that time is a verb is like the hidden key of grammar that no one has thought of before. We're going to be rich.

DG:
STOP.
NOTAVERB
Why? Because I have a firm grasp of grammar and I know that time, in this case, is a noun.

Listen here.

2010-11-30T11:16:00.002-07:00

So, I've seen quite a few bumper stickers lately that read:

"I walk my dog and vote."

Well, sure.

I walk my dog and vote too. But I don't really feel like I need a bumper sticker to remind people that I'm a good person, you know?

I just feel like making a bumper sticker that says that sort of defeats the entire purpose of being a good human being in the first place. Or maybe they DON'T walk their dog or vote nearly as often as they should. Thus, they got the bumper sticker to make sure they hold up to their hippy reputation.

I don't know. I do know, however, that it is ridiculous.

Excuse me while I got walk my dog.

BECAUSE DID YOU KNOW I WALK MY DOG? I DON'T LEAVE MY DOG INSIDE ALL DAY! MY DOG EXERCISES! AND EATS ORGANIC FOOD! NO CORN IN MY DOG'S FOOD! I READ CNN TOO! AND I DRINK SKINNY SOY LATTES! AND I AM A GOOD HUMAN BEING! DID YOU KNOW!?

That's sort of how I feel when I see that bumper sticker.

FYI.

Friendship. PIC. 4EVER.

2010-11-04T17:34:00.003-06:00

This is a typical Sarah and Dione conversation. I wouldn't want our friendship to be any other way.

me: How was class?

Dione: Boring and long. And I loved it. We talked about malum in se and malum prohibitum crime.

me: Oh da crime class eh
Please note: I'm going to start using poor grammar and slang whilst talking to you. I want to make sure you don't drift off into a land of academia and forget the little guys. I'm just trying to keep you grounded. Ya know? You're welcome.

Dione: Oh wow. That is super helpful.

me: yah iKR
Please note part 2. It is hard to write grammatically incorrect.

Dione: Can I refuse to acknowledge the legitimacy of anything you say until it is said in a intellectually comprehensible manner?

me: Nay. You can't. Sawwwry.

Faja.

2010-11-02T15:18:00.004-06:00

My dad is adorable.

He literally hadn't heard from me in a bit (and had heard about my financial woes, etc), so he transferred $20 into my account with this note:

If you can't read it, it says:
Do I have to pay you to call me xo JJRJR

Yes, JJRJR. His initials and new name my sisters and I have all given him. John Joseph Reale Jr. He calls himself that now.

I am one lucky girl to have parents this hilarious and fantastic.

True story.

2010-10-23T17:54:00.000-06:00

Hoping for change.

2010-10-04T20:35:00.004-06:00

I started writing this blog.

Then I decided to go for a run to clear my head.

I ran. For 4 miles. It was beautiful. It reminded me that this world is beautiful. And that I'll be okay.

I came home clear headed, with a cute dog cuddled up to me on the couch, and I decided something:

Silence isn't going to create change.

Actually, what I have to say might not change anything either. But at least I'll know I've tried.

Hey. My name is Sarah. And... surprise... I'm gay. I know, you're shocked, right? Well, I was too. Actually, when I realized I was gay I wasn't really shocked. It made the first 20 or so years of my life make sense. In fact, it was more like a, "Sarah how did you not figure this out sooner" type of feeling. When I realized I liked girls, I really was just sad. And mostly really confused about what to do with my new found realization.

I spent the next six years basically beating myself up in silence. I kept all of my sorrow, heartache, frustration, and sadness to myself. Luckily, I'm a strong soul, and I survived.

Then one day I decided I was done hiding. I was done lying to my adorable family, my wonderful friends, and myself. I had tried to change how I felt. I spent 6 years trying to ignore myself.

And then one day, I let go.

I let go, and I haven't been happier.

Because, little did I know I'd have the support of my family, my friends, my co-workers, just about everyone. No matter what they believed, or how little they understood what I was going through, they accepted me. And loved me just like how they did when they thought I was straight.

And, that's exactly how I want it to be. I don't want being gay to be something that defines me. I want people to know me, Sarah, for who I am. Liking girls should be as important as my love for the Red Sox. I'm Sarah, I like running, my dog Eva, my family, the mountains, skiing, politics, and Mexican food. Side note: I also like girls. I don't need a rainbow sticker, a float in the parade, or special treatment. I just want to be known for being me, not by my sexual orientation.

I've always been an optimist. Always. It's ingrained in me to look on the bright side of life. Yesterday, for the first time, I felt the biggest wave of negativity. All of a sudden, this world I found so beautiful and wonderful became so black and sad.

Because I was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints, yesterday hit really close to home. I love and respect the LDS church. So much. In fact, I have respect for practically everyone who believes in something. Whether that be the astrology or Islam. Everyone is different, and everyone needs their own way to worship. Who am I to judge?

Which is why I can't stop Elder Packer for saying what he said yesterday in his conference talk, because... hello first amendment, say whatever you want! Freedom of religion! Speech! Yay freedom! And, through all of the Prop 8 arguments, although I can politically argue the fundamental rights all human beings have to get married, I can't ever be upset for the LDS church for supporting Proposition 8. I just can't.

But I do draw a line. It is on the topic of "choice." And, when Elder Packer said (in reference to homosexuality):

Some argue that “they were pre-set and cannot overcome what they feel are inborn tendencies toward the impure and unnatural,” he said. “Not so! Why would our Heavenly Father do that to anyone? Remember he is our father.”

I can't help but want to scream. Dear universe, I didn't choose this life. In fact, I didn't choose my curly hair either. Being gay isn't fun. It is hard! Dating is hard! Going on a date with a girl and having the host say, "get these two girls a table by some cute boys" gets old! Being gay wasn't some party I decided to attend. Or a team I chose to root for (pun intended). I'm gay because I was born that way.

You may not agree, but medical associations do. And when the LDS church tells it's members that being gay is a choice you can overcome, it makes me feel awful. It makes me feel like everyone is going to look at me and think, "look at that sinful lifestyle you chose." And those who are struggling accepting themselves are going to go deeper into their closet. Children are going to feel justified bullying their peers.

Anyway, I'm not trying to start an argument. I don't want to argue. I think Brandon Burt from City Weekly says it best:

Naturally, many folks who feel unfairly targeted by President Packer's statements will respond with ridicule and derision. Yet, even though the issue of homosexuality is emotionally charged and generates strong feelings on both sides, lashing out in anger against a simple statement of belief accomplishes little. It serves only to foment contention and resentment, reinforcing the harmful and false belief that LGBT equality represents some kind of threat to all Mormondom.

And that I'm not arguing "the right of a religious leader to speak his mind. The same Bill of Rights that guarantees our right to free speech also guarantees our religious freedom. That means churches are free to recognize same-sex marriages, or to forbid them, as they choose. They are free to believe and preach that gays are addicted, or immoral, or even (as some sects propound) possessed by demons."

And the same goes for you. And anyone I meet. You are free to believe whatever you want. I do, however, have one simple request.

If you are married, not married, Mormon, Jewish, atheist, 20 years old, 50 years old, a Yankees fan... and straight. And you believe that all human beings should be allowed to live this life without ridicule or being told that they can control their sexual orientation, take a stand.

Ten million gay people protesting about gay rights isn't going to change the mind of those around us. It is the straight people supporting their gay friends, siblings, daughters and sons. That's where the revolution lies.

And even if you aren't the "go out and picket with a sign" type. It's as simple as telling your gay friends you love and support them no matter what. It really is that simple. Because knowing that my friends love me for who I am means more to me than a marriage or a law giving me equal rights. Support. Love. Compassion. That's what makes this world okay.

Or, if you want to do more, donate to a few good campaigns, sign a petition, or post this video on your Facebook:

As I step down from my soapbox, my soapbox of confessions (haha), I just want it to be known that all I'm looking for in this life is to be me. To be Sarah. To be a good sister. A good daughter. A good friend, employee, neighbor, and citizen of this planet. I want to spread hope and peace, and love and compassion. I want to love you for who you are, and whatever you might believe. And make sure that I support you in becoming the best you.

And, dang, I still consider myself really lucky to be so blessed.

I'll end with some Brandi, because that's what I do, and because I still believe things will get better. I just can't help it:

Missy Knows Best.

2010-09-30T15:49:00.003-06:00

I love hearing about what some of my favorite artists say about my favorite songs:

“Where I Stood” is a phenomenally raw track from your album On a Clear Night. Did you have any second thoughts before releasing such an emotionally- vulnerable piece to the world?

Thanks for saying so, for me that’s a great thing when a song is emotionally honest. All my favourite songs are anyway. There’s something really rewarding as a writer about not pretending to be any more together than you are. It seems to open other people up too, as though you’re giving each other permission to drop the act and say what you really mean. People are aloof enough in every day life, including myself, so song-writing is a safe place to be the person you wish you were always. ... Also, Sarah Reale will you marry me?

And, yes, Missy. I will marry you. Thanks for asking.

PS.

2010-09-14T16:28:00.000-06:00

Another example moments after I posted, a Twitter from Caroline:

Caroline Reale caroline4reale

countdown. 2 weeks: new phone, 4 weeks: I get to see @AMreale, 7 years: when @4reale will actually email me back.

Reale life, folks.

Sissy.

2010-09-14T16:03:00.006-06:00

Guys, I love my sisters. Seriously. They are my best friends in the whole world. And, as best friends should be, they are brutally honest. In fact, I've decided that if you want to hang with us, you better have the toughest skin on the planet. We'll tell you exactly what we think of that shirt, your zit, your poor choice in men, and when you are being an idiot. We really are like a bunch of boys, not girls.

I keep recalling this conversation my sister Angela:

and my youngest sister, Amanda (yes, she is wearing my Chi O sweatshirt):

My parents (my dad now, mom later) have moved to Logan. And that means poor Amanda had to pack up her life and start at Logan High School as a junior this year. Let's just say, she hasn't taken the move so well. So, to make a long story short, she freaked out and threatened to "move home to Colorado with her BFF" blah blah blah.

So, of course, Angeala sends her a text: "Wow, Amanda. You are drama."

And Amanda sends back a text: "Angela, do you know what teenagers do when they are upset? They do bad things. They drink, they smoke, they have sex, and they even cut themselves. Maybe you should care a little more before I do a bad thing."

Now, most families would honestly show concern for this emotional message. Parents would be worried, sisters would call immediately. Well, not in my family.

Angela responds: "Amanda, have you been watching a lot of Degrassi lately?"

True story.

Just a warning to all of those that wish to join my family. Not that anyone is close to marriage... but, Caroline does try pretty hard.

Summer's Ending.

2010-09-13T10:58:00.001-06:00

Summer was a success on my end. However, I am so bummed it is ending. As excited as I am to ski, I really would like to be a bit tanner and camp a few times. However, Andrea Gibson sent this in her latest email, and I just loved it. Bring on the fall, my favorite season of the year!

How are your butterflies? How are your magic tricks? It is the end of summer and there is a stranger playing a flute in my backyard. He knows I have weather veins. He is scaring off the storm. When you see me again I will not be wearing a hurricane or even a slow drizzle. I will be wearing a pink cape and a leotard and I will look like a lemonade stand at the end of a long dirt road beneath a very blue sky.

- Andrea Gibson

BFFAEAEAEAEAE.

2010-09-02T22:23:00.002-06:00

This is how I know we'll be friends forever:

Email from DB:

Subject: Shit presented in a word document

Body: I just want your overarching impressions....

I LOVE YOU FOR LOOKING AT THIS MESS!

Attached: Medical school essay.

Just the subject and the body of that email are enough for me to know that we'll be BFFAEAEAEAEAE.

If you don't know what the AE stands for it is: Best Friends Forever And Ever And Ever And Ever...

Word.

2010-09-02T12:10:00.003-06:00

Well, I moved. And details are to follow on that topic. But, let's just say it has required me to drink/consume a lot more caffeine. The other day I even tapped one of those 5 hr energy shots I haven't touched since the semester I took 9 grad credits and worked full time (Dumbest.Idea.Ever).

Anyway, saw these and literally thought to myself, "wow, what a great idea."

I think I might have lost it. Or have an addiction. You can make that decision.

25 years of the Earth Moving.

2010-08-02T00:16:00.003-06:00

As you might already know, music means a lot to me. Which is just funny coming from the girl that can't read a note, play an instrument, or sing on key... ever. My first memory of an artist is Carole King, and her Tapestry album. I remember sitting in our living room and listening to every song over and over. My favorite song was Feel the Earth Move. One day, Kimbo caught me on tape:

[Angela (bull cut), Caroline (toddler), and childhood friend Dana (blond) are also in the video.]

Please note the curly mullet, a motherly fail if you ask me. And my enthusiasm.

Well, on my 25th birthday I found it appropriate to reenact this very video:

Caroline is filming, and Angela is the scream in the background. Also, I got cowboy boots for my birthday, hence why I was wearing them with basketball shorts and showing them off.

Recently my dreams came true, and I got to see Carole (and James Taylor) live, singing this very song:

Life doesn't suck, people.

Ad-freaking-orable.

2010-07-27T14:04:00.000-06:00

You go girl, seriously.

2010-07-26T14:53:00.001-06:00

One kickass chick:

Freaking blown away.

Well said.

2010-07-21T09:42:00.000-06:00

(Via Ghostsinyourbed.)

I love my friends.

2010-07-20T11:12:00.001-06:00

Nicole: omgz. is LiLo in jail yet?

me: TODAY! She goes TODAY!

Ass.

2010-07-07T10:41:00.001-06:00

Made my freaking day. I forget children are just little humans.

Being whole.

2010-07-06T00:05:00.002-06:00

I've learned to find beauty in broken things;
I've learned to keep hoping.
Maybe this world isn't perfect,
But there is good in it.
And that's what I choose to focus on.
I am not powered by fear or hatred,
But rather hope and love.
What is impure proves there is purity;
What is evil proves there is good;
And what's broken proves there is such a thing
As being whole.

(If anyone knows the author of this, let me know. They deserve to be recognized for my summer theme.)

JJRJR/Faja

2010-06-24T10:56:00.006-06:00

I thought a lot about this PostSecret, and I must say, I agree. Or better yet, I'd spend half the day with my dad and the other half with Kimbo. I feel really blessed to have such wonderful parents.

I might have stood in the "Adult Acne/Cankles/Horrible Car Trouble" lines in heaven (They were just so short!) but I think I also spent some time in the "Most Understanding, Exceptionally Supportive, and Kick Ass Parents" line too.

My dear sister Angela and I bought a house last week. Check out this beaut:

My reason for my enthusiastic love lately has been from watching my lovely parents help us fix it up. I'll post some pictures when we're done. (Let's be honest, I probably won't.)It is a really rad place, and I'm super excited to have some of my very own renters.

Proof of me signing my life away:

But don't think that just because I own a house I have to be mature. Um, never.

POOOOOOOOOP!

IT guys are hilarious.

2010-06-17T17:01:00.003-06:00

Turns out this site went live before they had checked everything. IT guys are hilarious.

If you can't read what the message says:

"You are obviously not human and therefore must die!"

So, sue me.

2010-06-11T16:30:00.004-06:00

Yes, lately I've been obsessing over my dog. Sue me. She's my best friend. We spend a lot of time together. It's fine. Really.

Anyway, Eva got a hair cut.

Here she is before, so happy. I had just picked her up. She's thinking we're going for a car ride, possibly a walk! YAY!

And here she is after the hair cut:

Does that not just scream: "I hate you. I hate you for cutting off all of my hair. I'm pissed. I'm pissed because, not only do I look like an idiot, I feel like one too."

For anyone that doesn't believe me that animals have a personality, look no further.

That's all for today.

Evita Maria Reale.

2010-06-09T14:10:00.002-06:00

I'm ridiculous. And I'm ridiculous with my dog. But, OH MY GOSH SHE IS SO CUTE. That noise she makes is what I like to call her Chewbacca voice. She gets it when she gets picked up. Or woken up. It's true, she the ultimate bitch.

Thank you, Didi G for the vid. If you're going to judge me, you should judge how fabulous I look. Not how crazy I am about my dog. That's all.

Saving some monies.

2010-06-03T10:52:00.002-06:00

Finally, a product I don't need to buy:

Don't believe me?

QOTD.

2010-06-02T11:19:00.001-06:00

Thank you, Britt for this amazing G-Chat message.

Brittany:

Your vast knowledge astounds me.
And now I have to go knock doors and sell poison to people.
But I think you're terrific, miss you a whole load.

And so it goes, and so it goes.

2010-05-31T16:23:00.001-06:00

Sorta love this right now.

Wanted.

2010-05-25T16:33:00.003-06:00

- Five vacation days.

- A cozy chair.

- A perfect desk.

- No contact to the outside world.

- Unlimited coffee.

- Veggies and hummus, cheese and crackers, and orange sticks.

- Facebook/Twitter/Blogs blocked on my computer.

All of the above listed items are necessary in finishing my freaking thesis. Please academia gods, make this possible.

In the meantime I'll continue: walking my dog, going to the gym, working 40 hours a week, fixing up the house I bought, playing Quizo at the Beehive Grill, going to bonfires, sleeping in, and BBQ'ing.

Well, there's that.

2010-05-21T16:54:00.000-06:00

Via bitte ein kuss

A reminder.

2010-05-10T15:35:00.001-06:00

You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.

- Mary Oliver

Vent fest.

2010-05-07T14:17:00.002-06:00

So, today is graduation. And, I should be getting my little hood placed on my little head at this very moment. Obvi, I'm not. Obvi, I didn't finish my thesis in time to graduate. Which is fine, because as I like to say, "shit went down" last semester. Between life and ACL surgery and life and well, working 40 hours a week while trying to finish a thesis... I didn't. At least not in time to walk in that gown down to the podium and get that colorful hood on my head. But don't you worry your little hearts, I shall be finishing that beast of a thesis next month, defending, and finishing. Becoming a master. Just not by May 7. Whatevs.

Anyhooters, I wanted to take a minute to complain about all of students that are complaining (paha) about HAVING to go to graduation tomorrow.

Examples:

"It will be so long."
"Graduation is so boring."
"I don't want to sit there and wait for my name to get called."

Okay, WTF people? You worked four (or more) years to get this diploma and you can't take 2-3 hour out of your precious life on a Saturday to get honored? To listen to the top of your class speak? To congratulate your peers on finishing?

I don't know what it is about Utah, but graduation isn't nearly as big as it is in most places. And, maybe it is just me, but I think it is sooooo rad! You get to walk in a parade while everyone cheers you across the campus you walked thousands of times. You get to have family and friends be there cheering for you. YOU! It is a really neat experience and I loathe all of the complainers.

Not to mention, 75% of the students graduating spend 3 OR MORE hours a week at church. But GRADUATION is too long? I. Don't. Get. It.

So, congratulations all of my friendships that have done it. That have worked their butts off to graduate college. I will be there. Cheering for you. Celebrating your accomplishments. Because, well, that's what you do. Oh, and because Danny Glover will be there.

For real though...

2010-04-08T16:57:00.003-06:00

This is funny, and smart. So, three cheers for that!

For real though, why do we make cuts in education? Doesn't this seem like the last place we should be cutting? To me, education is the cure to most of our problems: racism, unemployment, hate crimes, hunger...

Hot for Teachers w/ Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green from Megan Fox

Say Yes.

2010-04-06T16:32:00.004-06:00

This was at one of the coolest events I've been to at USU. It was the Beat.Slam.Uncensored. poetry night.

Andrea Gibson blew my mind!

Here is a cool poem she read last week (scan to about 3:40):

2010-04-05T10:05:00.001-06:00

(via loveyourchaos)

JSYK.

2010-03-26T11:51:00.002-06:00

(via loveyourchaos)

Still Going Jiggy.

2010-03-22T00:18:00.002-06:00

Katie Herzig, Wish You Well

I, I want to wish you well
I didn’t watch you go
Cause I suppose I don’t know how
I, I will remember you
Not the way you left but how you lived
And what you knew

I, I want to feel your hands
I want to feel your fire burning
Right from where I stand

I’ll find my way
Cause you showed me how

I, I want toknow it’s you
When I hear your voice inside my head
Inside my room
I, want to touch the sky
I want to see the stars twinkle
Like they were your eyes

I’ll find my way
You showed me
I’ll find my way
Cause you showed me how

I, I want to smell your scent
I want to breathe the air I did before
Before you left

I, I want to wish you well
The only reason my heart beats
Is cause you showed it how

I’ll find my way
You show me
I’ll find my way
You show me
I’ll find my way
Cause you showed me how
You show me how
You showed me how

It's time.

2010-02-10T16:26:00.002-07:00

It's time for me to tell you how I really feel.

I've been running around all day. Meetings. Lunches. Meetings. Meetings. Writing. Emails. A typical day in the life of Sarah.

Then it hits me. I'm getting surgery on Friday. My family is going through some life changing, tough stuff. I am only being honest to a couple dozen people. I have a thesis to write. I need to leave Logan. I might never find a job.

I'm a solver. I think I got it from my dad. When stuff happens (car accidents, I'm injured, etc) my dad will always say, "Well there's nothing you can do now, let's work on getting it fixed."

That's typically how I handle situations. But, this time I can't find the easy fixes to the junk I'm carrying around with me.

When I was a senior in high school my mom would always tell me how I was being "so short tempered" and "high strung." She was right when she said it was because I was so worried about the uncertainty of the future. I had no idea what to expect. My world was changing.

My world is changing. And, my head and heart are not taking it very well. Not to mention, my one and only escape from the world, the time when I work all of the shit out in my head, is gone. I can't run.

I'm not typing this to get sympathy, or to look for someone to walk my dog while I'm recovering from getting an ACL surgery. Writing this makes it real. It makes my troubles real. Maybe if I make my troubles real I can work towards getting over them. (I'm trying here.)

Obviously, since music so spiritual to me. Getting through this has made me cling onto a few songs. This one is how I've been feeling lately. It's true, when it rains in my world, it pours:

It's hard to listen to a hard hard heart
Beating close to mine
Pounding up against the stone and steel
Walls that I won't climb
Sometimes a hurt is so deep deep deep
You think that you're gonna drown
Sometimes all I can do is weep weep weep
With all this rain falling down

Strange how hard it rains now
Rows and rows of big dark clouds
When I'm holding on underneath this shroud
Rain

And the song I plan to play on repeat every day after my surgery:

Whether it's the sunshine
Whether it's the rain
Doesn't make a difference
Till you complain
Whether it's the water comin' in from the roof
Does it piss you off
That you're not waterproof?

Whether you fall
Means nothing at all
It's whether you get up
It's whether you get up

I believe they are a-changin'.

2010-02-03T12:04:00.005-07:00

Back then, so did he:

And she still believes it now:
(P.S. I was there for this one...)

I hope you believe too.

Wow.

2010-01-20T11:46:00.002-07:00

When we look back on the creative arts from past generations, they all seem to come from the same genre.

My generation is taking it up a notch.

This will blow your mind:

http://www.inbflat.net/

(Via It Starts Here.)

But, she's very nice!

2010-01-11T21:35:00.010-07:00

I know, I'm totally obsessed with my dog. If you can't already tell from my Twitters about how much fun we're having running through Green Canyon, to the pics on FB, and the stories about she has eaten my, well, you name it: memory foam pillows, glasses, Chacos, and underwear, Eva is totally my BFF.

And, I don't really care what you think about it! Anyway, I realized I had only blogged about Eva once, so I thought I'd show you her progress as my lil' buddy:

This was her in July:

And then, November:

It's true, she really is Eva the deva:

How can you not love this face?

First day of no classes.

2010-01-11T10:35:00.002-07:00

Today is the first day of classes at USU. Yay for me because I don't have any actual classes, just a silly little thesis to write. NBD.

Anyway, I was in a meeting this morning and my sister Caroline decided... actually I'm still not sure why she stopped in to my office this morning. ANYWAY. She left a great note that I would like to share with all of you first day of schoolers.

Sa-wah.

Thank you for the 'happy first day of school' texty. I really appreciate your moral/emotional support. Maybe I should reconsider my extra ticket to the basketball game. Hmmm bet you didn't think of that. Sike. I hate your meetings sk8r grl. There are cute boys this semester, just saying...

Peace and love turtle dove.

<3 girl with the Betsy Johnson bag

2009 in list form.

2010-01-04T16:45:00.002-07:00

A few of my friends have done this, and I thought I would play along this year. Here are a few lists of my favorite moments from 2009. A great year, indeed.

Concerts:
1. Brandi Carlile
2. Indigo Girls w/ Gregory Alan Isakov
3. Ingrid Michaelson

Places:
1. Guatemala City, Guatemala
2. Jaco, Costa Rica
3. Laguna Beach, California
4. Jackson Hole, Wyoming
5. Washington DC
6. The Narrows, Zions National Park

Movies:
1. Iron Jawed Angels
2. Baby Mama
3. Away We Go
4. (500) Days of Summer
6. Planet Earth
7. Julie and Julia

Songs:
1. I Will – Brandi Carlile
2. Call It Off - Tegan and Sara
3. Promise To Keep - Brandi Carlile
4. Maybe - Ingrid Michaelson
5. Gravity - Sara Bareilles
6. Little Plastic Castle - Ani DiFranco
7. Mystery - Indigo Girls
8. Bag Of Hammers - Thao With The Get Down Stay Down

Albums (That came out this year):
1. Brandi Carlile – Give Up The Ghost
2. Regina Spektor - Far
3. Ingrid Michaelson – Everybody
4. Indigo Girls – Poseidon and the Bitter Bug

Notable Experiences:
1. Presented research in Guatemala. And while I was there I climbed a volcano.
2. Listened to the monkeys in the Costa Rican jungle with my sisters.
3. Finished my last class class of my graduate career.
4. Met my best friend and running partner: Eva, my dog!
5. Made some awesome new friends.
6. Hiked 17 miles in 8 hours down the Zion Narrows.
7. Finished my second Wasatch Back.

Seriously.

2009-12-21T09:39:00.001-07:00

It is ladies like this that make me want to quit my job and go spend the rest of my life hanging out with the elderly.

You think I'm kidding? I'm serious.

Food for the soul.

2009-12-16T22:09:00.020-07:00

This post has been brewing in my head for over a year. I made a few goals for myself for the break: make a CD (check), decorate my apartment (next week), write a food blog (that's this!). So, yay for finally having the time.

I don't know what happened, but I think it was after I made my first Thai dish, that I realized how much I love to cook. So much, that I can't stop. I'm continually looking for new recipes, talking to everyone about cooking, even asking my parents for "kitchen stuff" for Christmas. As I have cooked, I have documented a lot of the dishes, mostly for proof to my father (the best cook I know) and my mother (who teaches foods at the high school) that I'm not full of crap.

First big dish, Thai chicken lettuce wraps and spring rolls!

Japanese Soup!

Another Thai dish, this one with shrimp and lime cous cous.

Soba noodles with edamame.

One time I was vegan. These are vegan cheese enchilladas. YES, vegan-cheese!

Homemade BBQ chicken pizza.

Pear and Gorgonzola pizza.

Grapefruit, avocado, and pomegranate winter salad.

Chicken ranch, romano yummyness.

Phyllo feta spinach cups

Late summer mozzarella and roasted tomato grilled sammich with sauteed veggies from the garden

From the grill: Zucs with lemon and feta, and chicken with a plum raspberry glaze.

And for dessert, Crumb Brothers chocolate loaf, grilled with fresh fruit and vanilla bean ice cream.

There is more that hasn't been documented. Like the pork tacos from the grill, and the sweet potato fries, or the sweet potato black bean with chillies and polenta stew. But, now I'm hungry. Happy cooking! And, I told you Mom and Dad!

I need a minute.

2009-12-10T15:01:00.002-07:00

So, I am currently between my two final papers (I turned in one 27 pager today, the next is due tomorrow) and as I was scanning my Twitter I saw a new announcement:

THE FIRST ROUND OF LILITH FAIR ARTISTS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED!!!

I remember when I was first getting into Sarah McLachlan and I heard about Lilith Fair. I seemed to be not old enough to have known and gone, but not young enough to not know who Sheryl Crow was.

ANYWAY, earlier this year they announced that they are bringing back the fair, and guys, I am so excited. Not only are many of the old classics (Indigo Girls and Sheryl, Erykah) but some of my absolute FAVORITE artists are going to be there, aka: Brandi Carlile, Ingrid, A Fine Frenzy, The Weepies, and Tegan and Sara!!

So, today at work I was listening to said artists and I came across a Tegan and Sara song that I haven't heard in forev, and LOVE. This is me sharing:

Tegan and Sara - Call It Off from Ashley Brown on Vimeo.

Okay, back to being weird and the general awfulness which is this finals week. Oh, and you better believe I'll be going to AT LEAST one of these.

One last thing..

2009-12-04T00:18:00.002-07:00

And then I'll stop talking about how much I hate BYU.

Please visit this site to see all of the incredible posters Aggie's made. God bless them all!

Unrelatedly, If I can make it through next Thursday, it might be a miracle. I've got 40 pages to write... wish me luck.

Peace be with you.

Why I love being an Aggie...

2009-11-30T12:40:00.002-07:00

This was on the USU Facebook wall:

And why I feel justified in disliking Sarah Palin:

Teaching Children About Gender Roles

2009-11-17T14:20:00.001-07:00

Gotta love me some Married to the Sea!

So, here's the deal..

2009-11-03T23:07:00.002-07:00

I had two separate, but related, experiences this week that made me realize something quite sad.

I'm currently in a Middle East class. It has been pretty interesting, to say the least. Also, reading about other countries just makes me "want to go to there" despite the, I don't know, centuries of conflict. Anyhow, our last book was Understanding Arabs a book that describes in detail the history and cultural aspects of the people. Loved it. Seriously! What was remarkable to me was how many women are still denied equal rights. I knew (obvi the semest is almost ova) there was a historic Islamic and Jewish culture that caused women to be forced into the homes, killed for wearing jeans, or working. However, I didn't know the extent and how bad it was until now. It was so sad to me that in some countries women only make up 15% of the workforce, and how some are just begging to get a decent education. BECAUSE HEAVEN FORBID THOSE FEMALES LEARN!

Also last week, I had not one! but two! girls tell me they were no longer going to finish their undergraduate degree because they needed to work and support their husband while he finishes school. By the second girl I wanted to just grab her arms and scream:

"DO YOU EVEN REALIZE HOW FREAKING LUCKY YOU ARE?!"

There are women that would do just about anything to even have the opportunity to learn. Not even for a degree! And these girls are dropping out of school to support their husbands?! I cannot understand it.

I must say, this has nothing to do with women who choose to not work after college. This also has nothing to do with marrying young. This, lastly, has nothing to do with women who don't pursue graduate degrees. I have nothing wrong with any of those. To me, it is totally your call. If you don't want to go to more school, work, or get married young, I honestly couldn't care less. I'm being serious. This isn't the issue at hand.

The issue is that they are giving up an opportunity to learn, to earn a degree, to give yourself some type of support and backing for the future. Heaven forbid something happens to your husband, or you have to support yourself, what then?

Also money is the worst excuse on the planet.

JSYK YOU ARE MARRIED AND POOR THE GOVERNMENT WILL BASICALLY THROW FEDERAL GRANTS AT YOU!!! Us single people would kill for the financial aid you can get.

Not to mention, the chances of you going back to school are extremely slim, and if you do, it will be MUCH harder. Returning adult students have a really difficult time transitioning back into college life.

To end my tirade, I have been hearing about girls dropping out of school for years, but it wasn't until I realized how blessed the women in America are that I understood how sad it is. I just ask you smart, talented, freaking rad women to keep at it. Don't settle for a 8-5 min wager when you have the chance to earn something FOR YOURSELF.

That's all.

Frown face. :(

2009-10-20T14:46:00.003-06:00

From Zelda Lily:

So, the blogosphere’s debating whether she’ll stick to her word, I’m hoping she won’t, and CNN’s implying she’s too old. In any case, Clinton told NBC this week she’s planning to retire after serving as Secretary of State, ruling out any future presidency. From CNN:

If Clinton changes her mind — she would either have to run against President Obama in the Democratic primaries in 2012… or she would have to wait until 2016. She turns 62 this month.

Hillary Clinton is also denying that her voice isn’t being heard in the Obama administration… calling that “absurd.” She says that it’s not her style to try to be the center of attention… and that she believes in delegating power.

Clinton says she wants to be a positive force in enacting the changes that the Obama administration believes in: “But that doesn’t mean it all has to be me, me, me all the time.”

For lots of readers out there, any discussion of Clinton’s future elicits hatred and derogatory comments. These readers are mostly not checking out Zelda, but it still amazes me how much they despise this woman. They take the characteristics shared by most politicians — spinning the truth, evading questions, keeping up appearances — and try to present these as evidence of her personal character, not her chosen profession.

Of course, this is a strategy everyone uses to criticize the politicians they don’t like.

But what’s troubling when it comes to Clinton, or her decision not to run, is that we don’t have another woman out there who receives that kind of attention. We didn’t bother with character assassination of Sarah Palin. She was hot, so she was a sex object, so we didn’t have to take her seriously. With Clinton, she’s intelligent, she keeps climbing political ladders, and she could pose a real threat to the that patriarchal White House.

Who will replace Clinton as a strong woman in the political arena? We, unfortunately, can’t count on Palin. I’m not discounting her in the way that most of America did — by calling her the sexy librarian type, focusing on the makeover she received before the Republican National Convention, or generally trivializing her by excess focus on her appearance.

I’m discounting her because, aside from personal political aspirations, she’s not a feminist to hang our hopes on. I’m discounting her because I actually listened to her message, and it is not one of hope for the women of America.

Which brings us back to my sadness about Clinton. As long as she’s in the political arena, we have a powerful public figure who is female. People don’t, in general, objectify her. We listen to what she says. And this week, we’re listening to her say her time in politics is limited.

God Bless Brandi Carlile

2009-10-15T18:27:00.000-06:00

Today.

2009-10-11T15:14:00.002-06:00

Sometimes I wonder whether George H.W. Bush, president “41,” will be remembered as our last “legitimate” president. The right impeached Bill Clinton and hounded him from Day 1 with the bogus Whitewater “scandal.” George W. Bush was elected under a cloud because of the Florida voting mess, and his critics on the left never let him forget it.

And Mr. Obama is now having his legitimacy attacked by a concerted campaign from the right fringe. They are using everything from smears that he is a closet “socialist” to calling him a “liar” in the middle of a joint session of Congress to fabricating doubts about his birth in America and whether he is even a citizen. And these attacks are not just coming from the fringe. Now they come from Lou Dobbs on CNN and from members of the House of Representatives.

Again, hack away at the man’s policies and even his character all you want. I know politics is a tough business. But if we destroy the legitimacy of another president to lead or to pull the country together for what most Americans want most right now — nation-building at home — we are in serious trouble. We can’t go 24 years without a legitimate president — not without being swamped by the problems that we will end up postponing because we can’t address them rationally.

-Thomas L. Friedman
NYTimes, Sept. 29, 209

Dos.

2009-09-23T09:18:00.002-06:00

Two great things already happened this morning:

1. I found out they make Aggie gear for Eva. She will look so good this homecoming weekend!

and

2.

Protect Insurance Companies PSA from Will Ferrell

Happy Wednesday y'all.

SU-IGH

2009-09-13T14:15:00.002-06:00

I would put this night on repeat. For days. Great friends, AMAZING MUSIC, perfect.

This video does no justice, but it'll do.

2009-09-05T15:24:00.003-06:00

I have FINALLY gotten some great new tunes to pump through my new A-P-T and it makes me super happy.

Two new additions to my collection are Ingrid and Regina's new CD's. I was introduced to both singers at the same time, so it was only appropriate for them to both come out with a new CD at the same time. THE WORLD IS GREAT.

Anyway, last night a few peeps were over making some yummy grub and I went to play a Ingrid/Regina playlist I had created a few days ago with their new CD's.

iTunes - Music - Playlists - "REGINGR" - Play

Moments after I press play I realized it was one of Ingrid's old songs. I thought, "Strange, she put this on the new one too." (I'm sure you get where this is going...)

ANYWAY, turns out I have, literally, two playlists on my iTunes that are quite similar:

- REGINGR (old CD's)

and,

-REGING (new CD's)

Years later, I'm still making the same playlists, listening to the same artists, and this really struck me. Mostly because SO EFFING MUCH has changed. It was a moment in my life when I thought, people, locations, weather, all change. Yet, there are things about ME, about who I am, that won't ever go away. This isn't only my love for "quirky-folk-pop" as Ingrid would describe her music, but the core of who I am. What I love. What makes me happy.

That's deep enough for today.

Speaking of stuff that makes me happy, this song is like totally-wicked-awesome, yeaaaaaah:

Bumpit Update.

2009-08-17T11:42:00.001-06:00

Hair down Bumpit:

Bumps aren't just for Utah...

2009-08-14T16:25:00.005-06:00

I just got an email from my sister Angela:

Subject: Amanda and I just bought Bumpits.

Attachment:

Incredible.

If you don't know what Bumpits are, 1. Where have you been? And 2. Watch this video:

My Thoughts Exactly

2009-08-14T10:23:00.002-06:00

"Oh, how I love this. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton must have so enjoyed snapping back at the African student who asked Ms. Clinton for her husband’s opinion. Check out the video to get the full force of her words, as her delivery is nearly as compelling as her statement. Thinking back to all the times she stood by his side, identified publicly only by her relationship to him (First Lady, ugh, what a title), I can only imagine how great it would feel to now iterate her position and the value of her own opinion.

Not that Ms. Clinton (I’m trying to shift away from my bad habit of calling her Hillary, which seems somewhat derogatory given that we refer to male politicians by their last names) has been seriously silenced or oppressed by her partnership with Bill. But there is something so satisfying in her tone here. It finally doesn’t matter what her husband thinks. It’s almost comical, really, how her response implies the question is totally absurd.

“Wait, you want me to tell you what my husband thinks? My husband is not the Secretary of State, I am. So, you ask my opinion, I will tell you my opinion. I’m not going to be channeling my husband.”

I find this response so brilliant because she shifts the focus quickly to herself and her accomplishments. She is unapologetic in her stance that hers is the opinion that matters. I would like to channel her confidence in my everyday life."

- Zelda Lilly, Feminism in a Bra

Ignoring Caroline Part 2.

2009-08-12T11:39:00.002-06:00

Caroline: I just signed up for ballet
Sent at 10:44 AM on Wednesday

Caroline: buttt yyyooouuuu doonnnnttttt ccaaarreeeeeeeeee (I was singing that just in case you were wondering) just imagine a really high pitch voice for the "e" in "care"

Caroline: okay officially feel ignored

Caroline: that was your cue to step in
...(no response)
I am drinking some diet coke in your honor and you could care less.

Caroline: I feel so much love coming from this computer its insane. I could just bottle this love up and send it to china for all the little asians who dont have families.
Sent at 11:03 AM on Wednesday

Caroline: Lee Kuan Yew, says thank you for the love so does Yao Ming

Caroline: Mao Zedong cant contain his excitement

Caroline: okay, this is getting a little ridiculous

Caroline: I would say I loved you like a fat girl loved cake, but I literally just finished a chocolate cake off...so what does that mean?
no cake = no love.
sucks for you.
...and for the Asians.
Sent at 11:22 AM on Wednesday

Caroline: you are lame..
jsyk
bi.
Sent at 11:36 AM on Wednesday

Caroline is offline. Messages you send will be delivered when Caroline comes online.

Really?

2009-08-03T09:26:00.003-06:00

You've got to be kidding me.

Why the hell are we wasting our time with this?

Please note the scrolling news bar:

Bombings kill at least 15 in Iraq.

Fighting in northern Nigeria kills at lease 400.

Sudanese lawyer says lashing for wearing pants 'degrading.' (This is a whole new post...)

Captured leader of militant Islamic sect is dead.

Dear America: this makes us look like idiots.

Try harder,

Sarah

3.

2009-07-29T11:45:00.003-06:00

One time I had a roommate, and she took pictures for fun. Then one time she finally showed me the pictures she takes. WOW. Turns out this roommate isn't just another one of those people that buy nice cameras and claim they can take pictures. She is as legit as you can get.

So, I wanted to give a shout out to my dear friend Ashley Gammill, who has started this blog with her photos.

She chose the link because:

"This blog is here to fulfill my one and only New Year's resolution--I'm going to take a photo every third day, starting January 3rd.

The number 3 is special to me--I was married on the third day of the month, I graduated from college on the third day of May, and my apartment is number 3."

Not only do Ashley and I share good taste in favorite numbers, we also agree that there are far too many people out there trying to become photographers and clogging up the internet with their poorly edited images.

If you're looking for an educated, quality photographer to take pictures of your family, kids, or pets, I give my highest recommendation to Ash. Check out her blog or her Etsy shop to see for yourself.

She even took a picture of Eva the other day:

That's all for now.

Wild.

2009-07-13T17:16:00.001-06:00

There are two books I remember as a child.

The first:

And my personal fav:

I'm pretty excited about this movie. Judge away.

S-Whine

2009-07-08T16:22:00.003-06:00

So, apparently I have the Swine Flu.

But, there is a good chance I might not.

Really there is no way of actually knowing.

All I know is this: I came home from DC on Monday. BEST. TRIP. EVER. And around 11 p.m. my throat was killing me. I thought maybe it was from the plane/traveling/not getting much sleep. Then I started getting chills/hot flashes/body aches/general awfulness. I didn't sleep much, and in the morning I was still feeling really crummy, so I asked my friends who have had Swine what their symptoms were and they said they were the same as mine.

GREAT.

So, I woke up and got ready and thought I could do normal day to day, but I was super tired. I decided it was best to go into the doctor. InstaCare I went, and this is literally what happened.

1. I didn't have a fever.
2. Doctor wearing mask. Nurse wearing mask.
3. I tell him my symptoms.
4. Yes I've been exposed to Swine. Everyone has.
5. Doctor: You probably don't have it but you might have Mono or Strep. Let's test for those.
6. GREAT.
7. Blood drawn.
8. Wait forever.
9. Doctor: You don't have Strep or Mono. (PHEW) But you might have Swine. Actually, you probably do. It's really hard to say. And there is no way of knowing for sure. You might have it, but I don't know. By the time we find out you will be better. Don't go to work till the symptoms are gone, just in case. No, no medicine. Just get better.
10. WTF?!?!

Thus, for the last two days I've been home maybe having the Swine flu and it ultra sucks. First off, I can't go to work. Because my office knows I might have it and they are paranoid. Second, no one will hang out with me. So I'm freaking bored out of my bloody mind at home. Now, I am sick still. I have this annoying throat thing going on. But I'm not knocked on my ass with a fever. It feels like a bad sinus infection or something. Either way, I hate it.

Figuring my family should hang out with me no matter what I've been trying to make Caroline come entertain me. Each time she brings me Ramen Noodles and then tells me she can't ruin her perfect health because she has boys to kiss and leaves.

Prince and Lindsey Lohan are on Ellen. Only thing that is making this okay.

Oh, and I got a puppy.

Her name is Eva (pronounced Ava, like Evita) and she is an Airedale Terrier. I love her. And so should you.

If you're wondering how we really are.

2009-07-01T10:43:00.001-06:00

Best of the best.

2009-06-30T15:29:00.001-06:00

The best Onion video out there. Other than the panda one.

PLEASE NOTE: There may be a few f-words.

Go Carol.

2009-06-26T09:41:00.003-06:00

So, when you leave my sister Caroline on GMail chat without responding, she sends these sorts of comments:

Sent at 9:35 AM on Friday

Caroline: :'(

Caroline: (that is a emoticon of me, getting older by the second, waiting for you to respond) sigh

Caroline: michael jackson is dead, doesn't that make you think a little..such as "life is precious, maybe I should spend less time working and talking to those whom I love" just putting it out there.

Later when talking to her about boys:

Caroline: my kinda man...yumm

Caroline: I haven't had one smooch this summer, I am dying slowly.
I am going to get my QBK (queen boy kisser) title taken away.

Overheard at EFY

2009-06-25T10:53:00.002-06:00

It is like high school utopia at USU right now. We have EFY, HS leadership conference, and even Yearbook camp. (Which apparently exists, who knew?)

From my car to my office, two great lines:

"Hey guys, my mom fixed my lanyard!"

and...

"Yah, duh. He's like two years older than I am! He's like 7 and I'm like 5."

Glad you can do the math kid, and even put it into real terms.

This weekend!

2009-06-16T10:04:00.002-06:00

I have about 10 blogs half finished... I thought I was going to have all the time in the world this summer to blog? Negative.

Anyway, this is what is happening in my life this weekend, and I am so freaking excited about it!

If you are between Logan and Park City on Friday and Saturday look for two screaming vans full of girls singing Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. Why are we singing that song? Well, because our name is Girls Just Wanna Run!

Planning the race has been a major pain, but I know it all will be worth it.

Girl Effect.

2009-05-13T13:29:00.003-06:00

Last August I posted this video. To say it was motivational is an understatement. Not only was it incredibly well done, it was the idea that I grasped onto.

I was thinking about this video today and started to look at other videos Girl Effect has posted. The more I watch, the more I believe.

Here's why:

(On this one, make sure you check out the statistics at the end.)

And here is an example of this concept in action:

Quality.

2009-05-12T13:34:00.002-06:00

The best email I've received in a long time, came from Dione and Caroline:

Subject line: Ummm, Sonic is falling apart.

Body:

Awesome!

2009-05-12T10:43:00.003-06:00

Dear Utah citizens,

"Get ready to obey 318 new laws on Tuesday"

My personal favorite: "Regular folk can't give drugs to wildlife, especially birth control drugs."

So funny that a majority of this state is republican, a party founded on limited government influence into the lives of the citizens, and they still pass hundreds of laws a year to limit the freedom of the people.

Maybe I've been brain washed by the libertarians, but doesn't this seem a bit hypocritical? The republicans of the state are so worried about the liberal agenda coming in and taking over their lives and their freedoms, yet they push all of this conservative legislation onto all of Utah citizens through their majority power.

It all starts with the people. Why are we voting in these legislators? Just because they have "republican" next to their name on their ticket, doesn't mean they are the best candidate for the state, Utah.

And, scene.

Word.

2009-05-07T11:35:00.000-06:00

Today is okay, because of quotes like this:

"Here’s a terrible story about insanity and perversion and other things that are just SO DISTURBINGLY BIZARRE that you wonder why Jesus & God ever created humans, other than to be pets for the important dinosaurs."

-Wonkette

Don't want this hell, for baby.

2009-05-06T16:29:00.006-06:00

For the last two years I have watched this video.

IT HAS YET TO GET OLD.

Thank you Miss Stephens, for introducing me to the best movie on the inner web.

"Please, human masters..."

(Insert gigantic sigh here.)

2009-04-29T23:29:00.004-06:00

To attempt to make up for the fact I couldn't attend her concert(s) this month, for the past two days this is all that has been playing from the laptops in my room. Hundreds of live Brandi footage. All the time.

I. Am. Still. Obsessed.

Still.

Love you, still.

2009-04-27T10:39:00.003-06:00

There are a few things (for lack of a better word) that have stayed with me throughout the last 4 years. I've given up on a lot, many people have come into my life and left again, I've moved apartments, cities, fields of study. I've seen a clear change in my life, especially in the last two years.

Recently, I've begun to embrace all of these changes. For those of you who know me, THIS IS HUGE. I loathe change. However, now that I've endured a few storms, (many are still pouring) and gone through a few career and academic changes, I am sincerely grateful for where I've ended up. And, I know that many changes are yet to occur. Just on the horizon, I feel prepared to handle whatever comes my way.

Although I no longer get to wear jeans every day, I actually have money in my bank account and a 401K, and have switched from regular Coke to Diet, there is something that hasn't left: Grey's Anatomy.

Yes, a television show. A freaking television show. I know this seems silly, but Grey's has been the one constant that has stayed with me through it all. Granted, I missed the complete season last year and had to catch up. (Which I did, in one week during the fall.) It hasn't left. I remember distinctly a time when I didn't even have $20 bucks to go to a concert, but I had DVR. Religiously, every week, my roommates and I would be sucked into the drama. I loved it.

On Saturday, it was snowing. Clearly, I didn't want to get out of bed, so I laid there and watched two episodes I had pending on my playlist. It was then that I realized how long I have stuck to this one show. It reminded me of how much my life has changed, and how I still have maintained so much. No matter the storm, and it's intensity, I've survived.

More recently, a continued trial has reared it's head back into my life. A struggle that has been brewing within my family for over 10 years, it has hit a breaking point. As hard, and as challenging as it has been, I feel like I can finally wrap my head around the situation. Even though it still hurts and is a challenge, I'm more prepared than I've ever been. Not to mention the love within my family has grown.

Which is why, on the last episode, there was a quote that really struck me. (No matter the crazy drama, you have to admit the writing is absolutely excellent!) It was a narration by Alex:

(Please note: I would have prefered if this quote didn't say "trauma" but it's a show about doctors, so bear with me.)

"It doesn't matter how tough we are. Trauma always leaves a scar. It follows us home, it changes our lives. Trauma messes everybody up. But, maybe that's the point. All the pain and the fear and the crap. Maybe going through all that is what keeps us moving forward. It's what pushes us. Maybe we have to get a little messed up. Before we can step up."

Pretty sweet, eh?

2009-04-15T11:10:00.001-06:00

(Note: try to click to watch the video in high quality. It is much better that way.)

Guacamole.

2009-04-12T21:28:00.004-06:00

Kimbo kept asking me, "How's Guacamole?"

Well, it started with this:

And bartering with ladies like this:

And ended with hiking this:

Viva Guatemala!

Nothing but love.

2009-03-27T15:11:00.002-06:00

Most people bash Utah for its quirky culture and conservative views. I admit, at times I do tire of the "bubble" in Utah. Yet, I truly do embrace the culture. And, I believe, embracing is the only way to survive living in Utah if your views don't quite align with the majority of the population. You just love it for what it is. And thank, whomever you thank, every day for the incredible scenery and beauty this state has to offer.

Today, while searching for an article on the Deseret News page, I couldn't help but have a "gotta love this place" moment.

While searching in the archive, a box appeared on the page that said:

"What others searched our Web site for ..."

It then listed some common searches on Deseret News archive:

1. BYU 2004
2. SEARCH DESERETNEWS.COM
3. prostitution
4. flds
5. mormon missionary shot
6. sterling scholar
7. tithing
8. Medley obituary
9. motorcycle accident - nicholas Liapis
10. gay

I couldn't help but laugh out loud. I really do love you, Utah.

What a day.

2009-03-20T13:16:00.002-06:00

Well, two most fabuloso items occurred on this beautiful day:

1. I got a root canal.

and, even better...

2. The Aggies lost by 1.

Although I have a a ton things I should be doing at work, I just can't seem to get myself motivated. That was, until I saw this:

And, if you're like me and you need a minute to regroup for the second half of the day you should watch this, it's beautiful:

I can thank my dear cousin Abby for the second vid.

Feeling a little better? If not, please seek the sunshine outside. It helps too.

Punk'd.

2009-03-17T20:43:00.003-06:00

I swear Utah State is getting punked.

I swear it. Here are the reasons:

1. Sully.

Sully is a man trapped in the 1980s. Full on trapped. Just take a look at his daily attire. No, this is not a costume. This is daily. And the hair isn't a wig either.

Yup. That's Sully. Oh, my bad! Did I forget to mention he's a new student at USU? That's right folks, he went to SOAR this summer. Ever seen Joe Dirt? Pretty much the same situation.

2. Headphone dancer.

Here I am, in a meeting, minding my own business when all of a sudden I am motioned to look outside in the main common area of campus. Low and behold a man-boy (in his 20s) with headphones on dancing his life away. People are walking to class and he is just groovin' like he was in an iPod commercial. I have never seen anything like this! At one point I mentioned he might be dancing for exercise. That is how large he was dancing.

3. Loud talker man.

So, a few moments ago I entered the library. I sat on the front couches in the entry way and I soon realize there is a man on the couch next to me on the phone. TALKING AT A YELL. He was basically screaming into the phone, so loud if you were sitting on the 4th floor in the quiet section you could probably hear him. Literally. And! He was talking with the speakerphone on! Their topic: when they were ready to have kids, blood clots, you know... the usual. O! M! G!

Any minute now MTV or VH1 will pop out of hiding with their cameras and yell, "HAHA USU! We've been punking you all year!"

My minutes, foo!

2009-03-01T15:20:00.002-07:00

So, my dear friend Chelsea introduced me to the wonderful Urban Dictionary word of the day emails.

Today's email was absolutely phenomenal:

March 1: you wastin my minutes

for use when someone says something stupid and you just don't feel like listening anymore, similar to bitch please

Bitch, you wastin my minutes.

Any lovers of dictionary.com's word of the day emails will thoroughly enjoy the Urban Dictionary emails as well!

So, funny story.

2009-02-24T14:51:00.006-07:00

I was sitting in my office on Wednesday and this email shows up in my work account:

Sarah,

According to the Utah DMV your license has been suspended for three months. Due to this suspension you are not allowed to drive any USU vehicles until your license has been cleared. If you have any questions about your license please contact the DMV. This message has also been sent to "My Boss" to make sure that you will not be asked to drive for any USU business.

Utah State University
Resource Recovery & USU Fleet Operations

My reaction was something along the lines of, "Holy shit."

I immediately picked up the phone and called USU Fleet Operations and asked her how my license could be suspended without me ever getting a notice. She told me she had no idea why my license had been suspended, just that she does scans of all USU employees in the system weekly and my name came up as suspended.

I then picked up the phone and called the DMV and they told me I had gone over in my points and that in December (twice) and in January they tried to contact me to come in and talk it over. Of course, I hadn't changed my address on my license and I never got any of the letters. So, on Feb 2, they suspended my license for 3 months!

Now, if I know anything about PR it's how to talk to people. So, I worked my best PR convo and got a meeting with the parol lady, whom I would later find is named Bonnie, that day. I went in all sassed out in my suit that I had just happened to be wearing that day and combined a desperate apology with a "I didn't have any other tickets on my record until this June when I got three in one month" (Yes, seriously.) and that "I've never been in an accident!"

Well, something worked because I got my license to go from suspended to probation. As long as I stay ticket free for one year my points will decrease and I'll be fine. I love you Bonnie!

WOW.

Well, I was only gone to the DMV for 30 minutes max, and when I came back this poster was hanging all over my office and the admissions office:

Yea, my dear friend Loni, whom is the graphic designer in my office whipped this up while I was gone.

Awesome.

Don't worry, I won't be speeding until August 30, 2009.

Ahem.

2009-02-20T11:25:00.002-07:00

Dear Senator Buttars,

Please retire.

You're a horrible human being.

kthnxbai,

Sarah

Another great Carol convo.

2009-02-18T15:31:00.002-07:00

Caroline: So "Joe" on the basketball team likes me.

me: Really? How do you know!

Caroline: "Basketball Player 2" told me.

me: You going to go for it?

Caroline: He is black, I dont know if i am ready for that.

me: Oh girl! Once you go black you never go back! Then you can say you've kissed a boy on the basketball team!

Caroline: You went black and you went back.

me: Good point.

Names were removed for privacy purposes...

An oldie but a goodie.

2009-02-10T14:58:00.002-07:00

This is one of my fav old YouTube vids. Someone (CAROL) reminded me of it today, and remembered how incred it really is...

The main reason I don't want an 8 -5 job? Ellen.

2009-02-04T11:12:00.004-07:00

Have I mentioned I love old people?

Is this going to last forever?

2009-02-04T10:17:00.002-07:00

This little dude got his teeth worked on. Here he is post-meds and it's hilarious. I've been there!

We can try.

2009-01-29T09:49:00.004-07:00

Tomorrow, the rally at the capital.

I Sundanced.

2009-01-26T09:57:00.001-07:00

And now I'm questioning everything I do on the innnerweb.

All because of this documentary:

(Note: There are a few "F" bombs. Apologies.)

More celeb political propoganda that I just can't get enough of.

2009-01-23T14:58:00.000-07:00