continued...

I saw the movie Blindside with my family and I got to sit next to Baby Perry, who was a PERFECT little gentleman during the movie:) Speaking of gentleman, I forgot to add how gentlemanly my friend Tony is. He opened my door EVERYWHERE and escorted me to and from the car. Amazing. Okay... back to the movie. Bawled my eyes out at multiple points. I was so overwhelmed with how generous that family was! Someday, I want my household to be like that; accepting, giving, loving, etc. What a difference a little bit of kindness can make! Go see the movie.



Saturday was the BYU vs. UTAH game, and let me tell you, there is nothing holy about that war. I watched with Katie and Chris Hogue and Chelsea DeVisser. It felt good to be back at the Arbon (now Hogue) household again. Went home pretty early to prepare for my drive back to CA the next morning!

I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Anyone who knows me knows how much I like being in a car. About a zero. I won't say much, but I will say that what was supposed to be a 9.5 hour drive miraculously turned into a 14.5 hour drive.

Being back to warm weather is nice:) This week should be fun. My friend Travis is playing at the House of Blues in Downtown Disney on Thursday. What an accomplishment! So that will be a good show:) And then Friday night is the HB dance. I am now a proud member of the dance committee, so needless to say, it will be poppin.

Life is good over here on my end. I feel more blessed every day and I know that the big guy is looking out for all of us.

"Love, live life, proceed, progress." --my only Lil' Wayne quote that will stick around for a long time:)

time flies...

I can't believe it's been three weeks! I feel like I just posted.... Guess not.



Well, time flies when you're working hard! Here at the ol' tax firm we've all been putting in our overtime. Our deadline for filing our appeals was yesterday, so appeal season is officially OVER! I wish I could express how happy I am. The only problem is that now I get to deal with all the clean-up and all the mail we're going to be getting and all of the follow-ups and crap. But at least I'm under no pressure-- our whole office was breaking a sweat yesterday trying to finalize everything. My coworker clocked in 57 hours of OVERTIME. In addition to his 75 normal working hours. Can you believe that? Now he's suffering from some type of stress-induced flu. Haha!! Just Kidding. That's not funny.

Last week was a little hectic. A bunch of really long days. Wednesday, in fact, never ended!! Hopped up out my bed, came to the office, worked til midnight, then drove through the night to get to Utah for Thanksgiving. Mom, I'm sorry I didn't help at all with the cooking. I could've done the French Silk Pie, but I couldn't keep my eyes open!! I got home early in the afternoon, slept for an hour, ate a DELICIOUS meal with my family and my Kordsiemon cousins, and then got to hang out with some of my nearest and dearest.

I wish I had pictures!! My b.f. Jordan was in town from Hawaii for the day and I got to spend some good quality time with him. Jordy has been so good to me!! I love him and his family so much. They are such great examples. SO. Jord and I went over to our dear friend Jake's house. Jake is a ten, ladies. If you want someone who is righteous, hardworking, athletic, smart, and who has beautiful brown eyes, look no further. Jakey, I love you. After a little bit of time at Jake's, our good friend Tony came over. Tony goes to West Point in New York and so it is a rare and blessed occasion that we get to see him! Over the summer, Tony broke his wrist and so he couldn't attend one of his field trainings. This, in addition to our mutual state of unemployment, made for three weeks of one of the best summers I have ever had!! I loved being in the Day Club with Tony. He, like his 'twin' Jake, is a ten. I'm going to New York to visit him soon at Hogwarts... Can't wait! Tone bud, I love you. Later that night, T and I went to Reese's house. As we all know, Reese was my first date, and I remind him every time I see him that we've been dating for 7 years:) He's so tall and so kind!! Of course, Cook was also over there. I had a crush on Ryan Cook from 1st grade until 6th grade. For some reason, I just can't get out of the friend zone! ahhahaha! Cook, I love you too.

Hm. I wasn't planning on writing about my friends... But I guess, why not?! I've known all of these boys since elementary school. So, I'm gonna round up and say I've known them my whole life. I've been very blessed to be associated with such a high caliber of men!! Boys don't blog. So it's safe to brag about them here:)

My good friend Neil Aboshamaa taught me that making your blog too long makes it boring. So I'm going to start a new post. But my thoughts are just going to continue... haha

Lately...

People that I love ALWAYS, but especially LATELY.
(and I love all of you, so don't give me that)...

1. Hayley and Nikki. These two were my roommates my last semester at Utah State when we all lived on Penny Lane. These ladies are sooo funny and are always willing to lend a listening ear!! I love them and miss them very much.





2. Ian, Rhett, Skankey, Strong, Spooner, Kevin, Skyler. Never in my life will I forget the dance parties, trips to Angie's, Jazz games, trips to Firehouse, the red elephant trunk, etc. These boys made my time at USU the greatest and seeing them last week reminded me of how blessed I am to have met the FINEST men that the state of Utah has to offer.





3. My Family. We had a good laugh last week at my cousin's wedding reception when Keith decided to screw up the family photo by going cross-eyed. I love laughing with my family!! I'm so grateful for them.





4. Baby Perry. This little one is perfection. He is so sweet and likes to hold my hand when he's sleeping. He gets that from his auntie. The perfection part, the sweet part, and the hand-holding-while-sleeping part. Mm hmm.





5. Katie and Chris Hogue. This beautiful couple has had such an amazing influence on me. They are such a good example of love and friendship and they are both willing to do anything for anybody. Love you mom and dad!!





6. McKall, Katie, Chelsea, Jill, Kellie, Sarah. "High Five". 'nuff said.





7. Chelsea Bastian and Britney Bellows. My roommates have been SO great to me... I love our house, I love staying up late, I love that they are such great listeners and how we always have great conversation!! Their fun-loving personalities have seriously brightened so many of my days and I love them!





8. Cassidy. I am so happy for gchat because it keeps our marriage alive!! I get to chat with Cass all day every day at work. She has been such a great friend ever since we've met and I always miss our one month of paradise!! (Oprah, sleeping in til noon, painting plates, running at the track, sonic BIG gulps, calling in sick to work). Wifeys forever!!





I've been thinking a lot lately about all the great people I have in my life. Everyone in California, everyone in Utah, everyone everywhere!! If I don't see you often, please know that I think of you often. I've said this a million times before, but I'm totally convinced that everywhere I've lived and at every stage of life I have been fortunate to find the BEST friends in the world. What would I do without you guys?!

If you need me, call me. I'll be awake.

it's for the children...

I did something tonight... something I swore to myself I would never do again...

I donated blood.

Okay, I know, I know-- what's the big deal, right? Well please allow me to take you on a trip down memory lane. This is a long story, but I can't spare any details at the risk of making it seem any less dramatic/traumatic than it actually was!

My first week back at school, sophomore year, Utah State University. I'm walking through the student center and see this big, red, felt/cotton blend, blood-drop-resembling mascot dancing around. So, I get all excited. You see, I came across this drop of blood the year before as a young 17-year-old freshman, and even though I wanted to, I couldn't participate in the "Blood Battle" between the U of U and USU because I wasn't old enough to donate. So now that I was "of age", like there was any chance I was going to pass up this opportunity! I decided to donate at the end of the week (as this was an all-week battle) so I could go at a time that fit better into my schedule.

Day of. It was a Friday and I remember it perfectly. I woke up, had a water bottle, went to my dynamic fitness lab and ran Indian Sprints, (shoot me), had another water bottle, rested, and then went to my regular classes. Now, because it was a Friday, I also had my Human Physiology lab to attend in the afternoon... No biggie. It was the first week anyway so I figured we'd be doing some short syllabus reading, maybe playing my favorite getting-to-know-you games, and then be done. I planned it all accordingly, and I got to the blood donation set-up about two hours before my Phys lab.

Upon my arrival, I drank another thing of water, answered questions about my travel/medical history, and then sat in a very long line of college kids that were about to give the gift of life along side me. So naturally as I'm sitting there they have this movie playing. Almost like the adopt-a-refugee commercials you see. "Donate a dollar a day and you will receive a picture of an orphan". Yeah.... But I was moved. Now I had a purpose (other than beating the Utah Utes)... I was about to save a child.

The took me to my chair, no big deal, needle in, blood out-- you know the drill. I felt great! I kept thinking, "Good thing I drank so much water today. I'm like the best donor ever". I grabbed my bag of oreos and a cup of juice and walked across campus to my Physiology lab, proudly sporting the hot pink medical tape wrapped in a criss cross around my olecranon process...... (Okay, I had to throw that in there just to remind you all that I did do more than just play around at college and I did learn scientific things)...... So I show up and the instructor told us "the real work would start the next week and today we're just going to watch a movie". Perfect. I get to relax after saving all those masses.

I start eating my oreos and I got this overwhelming tired feeling! We were just watching a movie, so I decided I could lay my head down. This one decision began the downward spiral of my health.

Next thing I know, I wake up with half-chewed oreos in my mouth. I was thinking, "Woah, this is weird. I should keep drinking water and keep eating". Fell asleep again. Woke up with oreos still in mouth. Repeat this process like 4 times.... Finally, we were excused and I went to leave the building but I didn't make it. Middle of the hallway in the Veterinary Science building, there I was just throwing up in the trash can. I don't usually puke in public. I'm not down with that. I knew I was in bad shape, so I went upstairs to the bathroom. Fell asleep while using the bathroom. Woke up and attempted to walk to the bus stop so I could go home. This was when I ran into my brand new neighbor, Chris. Nice guy. I had met him like 2 days before because we had all just barely moved in. He said, "Hey, are you okay?" I must've looked pretty bad.... but I told him I was fine, just not feeling well. I kept walking to the bus stop and while waiting for the shuttle, fell asleep. I woke up to Chris. He decided to ditch out on class to make sure I got home okay. Like I said, I must've looked pretty bad. So I rode the shuttle home with him. Fell asleep on his lap. Had him carry me up the stairs to my apartment. Ran to the bathroom and threw up again. With the door open. Sick..... After thanking him and apologizing a million times, I was feeling a little embarrassed. I mean, I barely knew my new roommates who all just heard me losing it, and I passed out on my neighbor boy who was practically a stranger. Anyway, I just decided to take a nap... After putting like 4 blankets on top of me because I was FREEZING, I finally fell asleep. I woke up about 3 hours later in a hot sweat. Was I menopausal? Was I suffering from something life-threatening? Because believe me, I knew it right then and there that I wasn't going to make it.

Oh yeah. During that 3 hour nap, I peed the bed. Here I was, an 18-year-old girl, almost woman, peeing the bed. Dope.

Can I just tell you that I was MISERABLE? I was miserable. And from that day forward I promised never to give blood again.

Come to find out, the red cross asked me if I had been drinking a lot of water the day before too, and I hadn't had any water for like 4 days prior to my donation. Woops. My bad.... You'll be happy to know that we beat the U that year so I guess it was all worth it. Not. I don't even care about school rivalry.

I'm not sure what inspired me to sign up for this blood drive tonight. Maybe it was something about that orientation video I saw while I was in the waiting line 3 years ago. Maybe it was because it was for church. I don't know... But I can proudly say that tonight, I DID IT!!!!!!!!

You proud of me? What can I say....

It's for the children....

important things...

Does my blog get updated on very rare occassions? Yes, it does. I need to be better about that...

I've had a multitude of thoughts floating about in my head lately, trying to organize themselves, and it seems as though I either need some A.D.D. medicine, or my brain just turned off the "focus" function and I need to be patient until it gets turned back on! So. I'm going to share some of these thoughts with you... Mostly on the things I believe to be very important.

1. Family. Everyone has a different family, comprised of different members with differing personalities; and while all families are different, their purpose is the same: to support and promote growth. I feel particularly blessed to have the family that I do and for the great people that they all are. For example, my mom and dad can read me like a book and even from 900 miles away, I still feel like they know when I need to hear their voices. I'm going to call them: inspired. You only have one family. Treat them well. They are an important thing.

2. Friends. I know that my friends are the best. I have a queue of people that I can call anytime and for any reason... My friends play so many roles: party animals, listening ears, comedians, wisemen. You have the opportunity to connect with very few people on a bestie-basis, so treat them well. They are an important thing.

3. Gospel. Sometimes, especially when I'm distracted with other things on my mind, I don't pay close enough attention to the thing that has the greatest effect on my life. I am so grateful for the church and the role it plays in my life and I don't think I say it enough... The learning tools, the books, the activities, the leadership, the people, the opportunity for growth-- I love everything about the church. I believe that the gospel is happiness, and for me, this is the MOST important thing.

Today, I am your Yoda, and I say, "Think about your 'important things'..."

Loveys...

Miss Dahl

Have you met Katie Dahl?

She's this curly-haired, firecracker who likes to get physical....

I'd like to take the time to thank Katie for being so inspirational. She peer pressures me into blogging without photos, she encourages relationships, she moves to Hawaii whenever she wants, she can dance like no one else I've ever seen. I want to be like her.

Katie likes to watch T.V. shows on her computer at work. She has great taste in music and swimming suits and will let you borrow...

Kate-Dahl, I've never had more fun on a lake powell trip. My stomach hurt from laughing so much. Your little mexican accent, mixed with laughing like a french-man, mixed with laughing like a farm animal, mixed with quarters and water is one of my favorite memories... I need to borrow some sweeeeeaaats.!!! hahaha

I only have one thing left to say:

"Screw you guys, I'm outta here" --LP 2009

of roadtrips and weddings...

First of all, I need a new camera. I feel like I have no documentation of my fun events over the last few months... So. If anyone is feeling like they want to sponsor a sister, feel free.

After I vowed to myself never to get in a car that was headed in the direction of Utah ever again, I got in my car and headed in the direction of Utah. Of course. FORTUNATELY, I didn't have to drive by myself... driving through the night by your lonesome is not a good idea. Don't do it. But 11 hours after embarking on this hellish adventure (that turned out not too hellish, actually), I arrived in Sandy, UT 84092... I hate going to bed after the sun comes up, but my morning nap was much anticipated and very much appreciated.

Day 1, Thursday: Hopped up out my bed, turned my swag on, went downstairs, made french toast and eggs, went to a tennis match, hung out with Jordan Schipper Anderson, went to Gardner Village for my wife's wedding dinner, ate deliciousness, shed some tears, watched a movie, blah blah blah. It was a great day!! Cassidy looked gorgeous, Trevor looked handsome, I got to see my most loved friends from Alta High School, home of the hawks. It was a beautiful dinner and it got me so excited for the bride and groom:)

Day 2, Friday: I must've gone to bed super late on Thursday because I woke up super late on Friday. My mom was preparing for my sister's baby shower and she had to stop by the bakery to get some blondies and brownies; so she sent me a text message that said I should go in and say hi. (History: I worked at Hagermann's Bakehouse Cafe for 4 years-- they're family, for sure). Garrett and I went to the bakery and were treated to a delicious lunch by Dave, my bakehouse Grandpa. Seriously, I love going in and seeing everybody! The best part is seeing all the customers that have been coming in 6 days a week for the last 5 years. I got a big kiss on the cheek from Bill, one of the faithful followers, and lunch was BOMB. So overall, successful meal. Friday night Cassidy had a last little bachelorette get together so I went there and then after I went to Taylor Moody's (aka Big Basic) house. Picked up G unit, came home, peaced out.


Day 3, Saturday: I avoided my mom's muscle blast class like the plague:) Got ready, drove to the temple and watched my beautiful Cassidy and Trevor come out of the draper temple, happily wed! She was such a perfect little bride and I am so happy I was able to be a part of her special day. My sister, Jen, had a baby shower for baby Perry at our house later that afternoon and so I got to visit with a bunch of family friends and cousins and such. My cousin, Brandi, got engaged and I was able to see her and her beautiful ring! Congratulations baby cuz:) I lost track of time (of course) and rushed over to Draper Historic Park for pictures and the reception. It was an awesome night! I loved being able to visit with everybody and I loved the pineapple slushies. I loved the handmade puff ball decorations, I loved the cake, I loved the hanging pictures from the trees, I loved the colors, the flowers, the dresses, the groomsmen, the rick-rack, the centerpieces... EVERYTHING!! Cass-- you did an AMAZING job. All that stress was worth it:)

Day 4, Sunday: Drove. Drove. Drove. We made a pit stop in St. Geezy and I got to hold the prettiest little baby girl!! It got me so excited for my little pear bear to come. There was a lot of singing, a lot of rapping, a lot of visiting, a lot of downhill-- I was so happy to get home; I think G was getting a little scared from all the road rage... But the car ride was actually pretty fun:)

Note to friends: Please don't get married anytime soon. I can't afford to come out, but my heart can't afford to miss your wedding. So please, for my sake and for my bank accounts sake, just hold off for a little while, okay? Sarah Jane-- I'm praying that my baby comes the day before your wedding so I can make it:)