a lil bit of me

Recapping Bachelor

2012-01-24T08:11:00.000-08:00

The editing this season has been really interesting. They are trying REALLY hard to make it dramatic and fuel certain fires. You can almost see the producers creating conversations, bringing people together to address certain subjects, etc. Also, knowing how the spoilers say this plays out, it has been interesting to watch how the “would-be soul mates” are portrayed.

In the past couple months, ABC filed suit against Reality Steve, the guy who broke the Jason Mesnick news and has been an all-star of a spoiler since… so that’ is going on right now – concurrent to this season airing. An interesting lens through which to watch the season.

Kacie B bothers me more and more every episode. News flash – You are on a reality show in which dozens of girls are dating the same guy. And kiss him. And you all live in the same house. And you never eat. And you drink a lot. Of alcohol. Deal…

She's baaaaaaaaaaaack

2012-01-02T23:05:00.001-08:00

And so is the Bachelor.

Oh hello Ben. Oh hello Chris. So great to have the most dramatic rose ceremony ever and the most shocking cocktail party ever back in my life.

Disclaimer – I have read the spoilers for this season, I will be making no predictions as they would not be uninformed. I have integrity. I will not lie to both of my blog readers. SO – we’ll just make fun of the best love fake emotions can buy.

Can we stop referring to the Bachelor as Ben F? Last time I checked, he was the only guy on the show, let alone the only Ben. Come on… let’s let the guy have his moment in the spotlight of 25 adoring women (well, if the previews are to be believed, then 24 girls and an old lady).

I really love me a skinny tie. The awkward zipping up the pants and tightening the belt montage? Well, let’s say the feelings are far from love for that little gem.

“The worst has happened to me.” -Ben (not F)
“Yes. Well, we hope.” -Chris

Let the games begin!

A quick sampling of the best one-liners on the night:
“You live and you learn, right? Next time sash, hat and the grandma.”

“Tell us about your hat.”
“Well, I rode a horse in.”
“A girl rode in on a horse. How am I supposed to beat that?”
“Screw you and the horse you rode in on.”

“I am the most fortunate man on the planet…This is going to be ridiculous.”

“See this, this is my heart. And this is the key to my heart.” Wait, did he she say “Guide and protect my heart?” No, it said love is patient, love is kind.

“It was really hard to have a conversation with him obviously when he was blindfolded. And being fed different sorts of candy. From a…garbage sack.”

“I’m…better than them.”

“How do you maintain sanity?” I wouldn’t ever come to you, Jenna, for that answer.

Pre-Gaming the Bachelor 1/3

2011-01-03T14:38:00.000-08:00

I hate Mondays for a lot of reasons. An unusually full inbox. An eager alarm clock. A hangover from late-night Sunday shows (Mad Men and Brothers and Sisters anyone?). A five-day wait for the next weekend.

Today, I loathe them less. Today, the umpteenth season of The Bachelor franchise begins. Today, Brad Womack ~~begins~~ resumes his quest for true love via fame-seeking twenty-somethings.

Am I excited? In a word - YES. I was out of the country for Brad's first go at love, and will only get the therapy-laden version of the forty-something and all the artificial drama ABC can create. You know where I'll be every Monday night. I hope you join...

Disclaimer: Last season I showed incredible promise in the business of predictions. Please keep your expectations in check. I'm not sure I have what it takes to make a repeat performance. But I'll sure try.

a [nearly] momentous occasion

2010-08-16T14:23:00.001-07:00

today at about 3:48, i stepped away from my desk and realized that i had gone the whole day without eating cake, candy or cookies - the three c's of death at hunter pr. our kitchen is commonly filled with confectionary masterpieces, or just really yummy and fattening foods. hence, i can no longer wear the skirt i wore while interviewed. note to self, stop woofing down the crap.

so, i congratulated myself for making it through [nearly] the whole day without a sugar-filled snack. then, i ate a cookie. then, i ate another. congrats, ali?

A Bachelorette retrospective

2010-08-02T20:48:00.000-07:00

One word: epic.

Of all the seasons, I think Ali has the best two guys left. Two guys who are legit men. Good guys. Would be attractive outside the context of the show. Well done, Ali. Props to you… you’ve done our name proud.

I was a little too emotionally invested in this episode to blog while it was happening! So you left-coasters, be warned. This is a retrospective.

I must say, Ali and Roberto are my favorite couple since Andrew and Jen Schefft (she’s pregnant!). I’ve waited a long time since Season 3. Naively, I think these two will beat the Bachelor odds.

And, for a girl who has an insatiable appetite for all things celebrity and social media, I was surprisingly pleased that Reality Steve got it wrong this season! Who is Reality Steve? He became a household name when he accurately leaked the Jason Mesnick-Melissa Rycroft (she’s pregnant!)-Molly Malaney story. And he’s been full of spoilers ever since. ABC reportedly hired private investigators to find the moles and this season it proved to be a success since weeks ago Steve claimed Ali picked no one. His sources said our Bachelorette stayed, well, as a bachelorette. He was wrong. And I smile.

What we learned about Ali tonight
She has balls, she’s sincere and not a single guy she sent home can say anything bad about her. That’s commendable. I think she was maybe the best Bachelorette we ever had. I appreciated that she gave each guy individual reasons for leaving or staying, and that she would rather be barefoot than in heels. Letting Chris go a day early was the most genuine thing she did all season. She didn’t let him look at rings, and prepare to propose when she clearly was in love with another guy. Girl’s got balls. Seeing Chris reunited with Ali after the rose, he was still vulnerable and boyishly in love with her. He posed a great question when he asked Ali what she learned from their relationship. In true Ali form, her answer is not as good as the question – she was clearly unprepared for that!

Her family clearly loved both guys, and her parents were great. While talking to R about her impressions of their relationship, Mama F. cried. And then he grabbed her hand. And she melted. And I melted. Then she spoke awful, awful Spanish. And America melted. To a certain extent, though, I always feel bad for the parents on these shows. They didn’t sign up for a TV show, and yet they get plastered on HD screens across America.

Tonight we learned Ali is genuinely happy. That she found security and safety in a relationship. That she has supremely good taste in men!

What we learned about Chris tonight
He loved Ali. He was confident in his relationship with her. But Chris was thankful for the opportunity to find love and is hopeful to find it again. The next Bachelor? Remember, you heard it here first. That was my prediction since day 1. Literally. Let’s see if his shattered mirror of a broken heart can mend in time. Come on, Chris. We need more of you in High-Def.

I feel the rainbow deserves a moment of it’s own. Chris’s experience with the rainbow was touching. Uninhibited. Pure. Raw. Genuine. I can’t lie – I may have teared up a little bit. That was such an intimate moment he was able to share that was perfectly hopeful in a moment when he was perfectly broken. Beautiful.

What we learned about Roberto tonight
He is every bit as attractive as I thought he was all season. That last scene, in the suit, in which he proposed to Ali, he might have been the best looking guy on the planet. I was floored. Home boy is hot! He makes Ali giddy, and that beat out a solid friendship/relationship. Can’t say I blame her.

R drives fast enough to fulfill Ali’s sense of adventure! She likes that about him. She doesn’t like that about Chris and his Driving Miss Daisy moped skills.

I was most impressed by R when he asked her mom how he can make Ali happy for the rest of her life. He really loves that girl and the fact that Ali is so secure in that love says a lot.

What we learned about Ali tonight
No, not THAT Ali, THIS Ali! I want to go to Tahiti. And Bora Bora. And Tahiti. And Bora Bora. Yesterday. It’s a little cost prohibitive right now, but it’s something to look forward to. Saving. My. Pennies.

Apparently, I not only hate when I’m vulnerable, I also hate when other people are vulnerable! I hate vulnerability in all of it's vulnerable forms. I was physically nervous for Chris. Every time he talked about his future with Ali, and proposing to her, my chest tightened up. My stomach was in knots. I felt like I needed to warn him and lock up his heart again so it wouldn’t shatter. I guess I still need to work on those vulnerability and control issues!

Don’t agree with me? Sound off below. I know not everyone like Ali as much as this Ali liked her…

Breaking Down the Bachelorette: The Men Tell All

2010-07-26T21:55:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my point system. Please add your points in the comments... I would love to hear what you think.

Chris Harrison
+45 The tie! Dark purple with black flowers? Yes please. Me like.
+56 “You’re on a glacier in Iceland…” to preface the Kasey tattoo fiasco. So. Fantastic.
+17 If Kasey had only known, the scrapbook was the key to Ali’s heart.
+28 in response to Kasey saying he’s not a singer, “I know! That’s what I was trying to tell you!”

Ali
+33 For looking hot in her (first) interview with Chris.
+87 For the way she confronted Justin. It never gets old.
+62 For not remembering the details of her date with Kasey. Color me surprised.
-18 For apparently not firing her hair dresser and stylist.

Frank’s dad’s
+88 for this toast:

From and among the greater
To then now and until here
As it was in front of before
Such as beyond past, presently
And victorious should the little ant dianetically (idk)
rise to Frank now and forever

+43 for being the only non-series person on my list. He earned this mention!

Jesse
+14 For just looking chiseled and hot. I mean, wow. And I don’t normally like white guys.

Hunter
-2 For showing up when people didn’t remember him in the first place.

Mountain Man
+17 One point for every word he said on this show, more than he said all season – err, one episode.

Tyler
+8 For that vest – apparently I’m a sucker for vests with a shiny purple back.

Craig R.
+7 For being the best interview, besides Chris L.
+2 For coming in with a “Hard and Fast Rule” to not say anything bad about anyone in the house.
+9 For breaking his “Hard and Fast Rule.” After five seconds.
+6 “Kase, you’re crazy.”
+3 For just seeming like a friend to the guys and a friend to Ali and a voice of reason.
+15 For calling his profession as a lawyer a “s**t detector.” Any lawyers want to weigh in on the veracity of this claim? I kind of like it.

John C
-6 For Botox.

Derrick
+1 For doing something memorable to merit an invitation, I just don’t remember what it was.

Jason
-2 For coming on national television with a black eye.

Steve
+3 For being from Cleveland. They need some love right now.

Chris N.
-12 Two words: Spray. Tan.
+43 For wearing a “Phantom” shirt.
-6 For explaining said “Phantom” shirt.
-16 “Self promote himself.” It’s redundant. It’s repetitive.
-16 “Self promote himself.” (see above)

Kirk
+8 For taking care of Ali when she was sick. I still think that was cute! He deserves retroactive points.
-4 For the way his jeans fit.
-64 For the death stare. I didn’t need to see that again. Ever.
+44 “This sucks.” One of my fav phrases.

Weatherman
-189 “She was almost mystical.” The man is still single. Shocking.
-17 For wearing that jacket.
-33 For the tongue-sticking-out incident.
+2 For the fake Rated-R voicemails in the credit. Hi-Larious. (should be more, but I can’t bring myself to it)

Kasey
-100 For his voice.
-21 “You look imaginary.”
-77 (x3) It’s just my heart – jump in, stay a while.
+53 for his song! That was fantastic! The only time he should’ve sung. Ever. In his life.

Ty
+12 For basically calling Kasey a stalker and knowing all the details about the show that a dude isn’t supposed to know.
-3 For saying “Looney Tune.” Twice.

Justin
-999 For existing.

Frank
Deserves no points. Boo.
But I must wonder, why will he be there next week on “After the Final Rose” and not this week…

Roberto
+9 For not killing Ali with a champagne cork!
+37 For how bad he felt about “not” killing Ali. So glad we got to see this moment!
+123 For being Roberto. Yum.

Chris L.
+83 For being hilarious. Again. He will be a great Bachelor!
+76 For walking out of the shower.

ABC
-1467 for trying to make this a two-hour show. Stretched. Too. Thin.

Bachelor Pad
+9836 For bringing Kiptyn and Tenley together. The only two sane people in that house. So excited to watch this comedic train wreck. You know where I’ll be.

The Bachelorette 7/19

2010-07-19T20:20:00.000-07:00

Prediction: I think Frank is going home tonight. It’s the easy conclusion to make, but this isn't a copout. ABC has built up this plot and I'm buying it. Frank goes. Chris and Roberto in the finale.

And here we go. I may or may not have butterflies in my stomach. Don’t judge.

In moments like these monologues and voiceovers I wonder what the director/producer says as they are pensive, concerned, in love?

Chris looks off into the LA sky.
-1 point, Chris followed a cliché with a cliché. I am going to put my cards on the table, so to speak. Fail! Please don’t do that. Ever. Again.

Roberto spinning a baseball on his bed. Frank, brooding Frank. Welcome back and goodbye. The end.

“As I’ve fallen in love with Ali, I’m beginning to realize I might still be in love with Nicole.”

“I’ve been an emotional wreck.” No, really Frank? I never saw that one coming. Wool over eyes. Successful.

Frank standing at a crossroads, an intersection if you will, in Chicago. Foreshadowing? I’m voting for yes. Well played, ABC. Well played.

“A lifetime of love is coming to a point, right here.” Frank has been consistently underplaying his emotions for the past 8 weeks on this show, so I’m glad this is no different. Keep it subtle, Frank. Keep it subtle.

I want to know how long they dated, how long before the show they broke up, and how long until they break up next. Curiosity peaked. Frank is in love, that’s exactly what he came on this show to do. Not quite the success story ABC was looking for, but if Frank and Nicole work out I wonder if the Bachelor franchise will take the credit. We all know they need to improve their track record…

I’ve seen more uncomfortable, silent moments with Frank thinking and breathing to last me two more seasons. See ya, bub.

I don’t know if Tahiti is the perfect place to fall in love, but I am falling in love with Tahiti. Not so in love with her swan dive into the water and her head flip coming out… ABC doesn’t cut short on the dramatic.

ABC is a bit misleading in their show descriptions. They say there is an audition process prior to choosing the 25 eligible bachelors. Really, this is the audition episode. The bedroom audition. Between Chris and Roberto my vote goes for the Latin. Just a hunch. We’ll see if I’m right.

Date 1: Roberto
And the string of realistic dates are over. I mean, I go on picnics. In Central Park. With MILLIONS of other New Yorkers. No uninhabited heart shaped lagoons in real life. Not. Normal. And they made out. All day. Theoretically, I might do the same thing if given the opportunity.

I love how much Roberto struggled to tell Ali he was falling in love with her. He was genuinely uncomfortable. And his reward? The fantasy suite card. How are people surprised by this 13 seasons into this show? It happens EVERY TIME!

Ali: “What do you think?” Followed by a seductive lip bite…

Candidate number 1 in the sack. I mean bag. I mean… I can’t get myself out of this. Moving on.

Date 2: Chris
This is the longest walk ever, Chris? THEN RUN! It really is a simple solution.

The fact that Chris gave the bracelet, good sign. The fact that Chris got a hometown date with Ali, better sign. The fact that Frank is about to drop a loveless bomb on Ali’s heart, best sign. See you next week, Chris.

Headlines we could have heard after this date: “Bachelorette contestant drowns in Tahiti after sought-after bachelorette tried to straddle him in the ocean.” Hi-larious.

And then they found pearls. Right, like that wasn’t staged. I wonder what they were eating around the writer’s table when they came up with the idea of the pearl analogy for Ali and Chris’s relationship. So they’ve been a moped and pearls. I’d say they’re definitely moving up on the quality scale.

Shout out to the Gap for providing Ali’s tank top for the night. Once again, ABC spares no expense.

The most painful part of watching them kiss is watching Ali try to train Chris to kiss. It’s like she’s trying to keep him in and prevent him from his in and out kissing habits. Ick.

Chris: “Yes, I love this girl. 100%. I just don’t know how to verbalize it.” So, I’ll just show her. All night. And so Chris starts talking about their post-show life. I’m getting kind of worried about his recently-repaired heart. She’s going to crush him! It’s ok, he’ll get his fix as the Bachelor when he kisses 23 of the 25 girls and ends up with no one in the end.

Candidate number 2? Check.

Date 3: Frank
I’m glad he was last. I’m glad she was able to enjoy her first couple dates Brooding Frank-free. AND, I’m uber glad Chris Harrison makes an earlier appearance on the episode. Chris = silver lining. Frank = dark cloud.

Frank is full of revelations tonight! Really? You over think? No way! Frank looks like an absolute disaster. I wish I knew what was going through Chris Harrison’s head right now. I guess I’ll have to read his blog tomorrow. You can check it out here (popwatch.ew.com)

Ali’s string of hideous outfits continues. Her stylist should be fired. Hair stylist. Fired. Wardrobe consultant. Fired.

Frank exuded all the eloquence of an aspiring screen writer. Or of a guy who has been over thinking and playing out situations in his head for weeks. Or of a guy who meandered into the most twisted way to validate feelings for an old relationship. I give the guy credit for being sincere. But he hit so many bumps along this road to confessions. Cue Usher. “These are my confessions, just when I thought I said all I could say…”

Had. Was crazy about you. Was falling for you. BUT.

Frank’s biggest understatement of the day, “Ali, I’m sorry.”

I might start calling Ali Mary Poppins because that’s twice in the episode that she’s called perfect in every way. Wait, that means she’s better than Mary Poppins, MP was only practically perfect in every way. Mad ups for Ali.

I feel like we’re almost watching raw footage, I feel kind of uncomfortable watching this super personal conversation between this couple breaking up. Yes folks, those are real tears. Ali’s tears confirm she liked Frank best. I think she would’ve chosen him. I think Frank knew it, too. Single isn’t looking so bad right about now. It seems like Ali constantly having to reassure Frank of her feelings for him solidified her feelings for him all along.

“Apparently not everything.” Ohhhh snap. Ali comes out on top.

I wonder if bad extensions make crying headaches worse. Ali will soon find out. I feel so bad for her. Eeeeek. The music is a bit over the top but oh so appropriate at the same time.

This is not the first dramatic story on the final three dates. There was Wes. Before Wes was Jason. That’s all this Bachelor buff can come up with off the top of my head.

Again, this is a call to fire the whole wardrobe staff. That upgraded moo moo is a boo boo.

Chris Harrison asks a fantastic question here, is it Frank or is it what Frank did to you? Far better than the answer that ensued, but I can’t blame the girl, her heart was just shattered into millions of little pieces.

“I have high hopes right now that my future husband is still here.” So not convincing. The quote her camp leaked that she may end up single is definitely spinning a web with tonight’s episode. But it could very well be a ploy. I'm intrigued.

While Ali wouldn’t throw Frank under the bus when she explained why he wasn’t there, she did clock him a couple times when she said her man needs honor and respect for other people, intimating Frank doesn’t have them.

The best part of this rose ceremony, both the guys are so giddy and smiley! No more death stare, no more please pick me eyes. Their happy laughing is happy-making.

I think she picks Roberto. I need to stick to my Chris as the next Bachelor prediction. If it comes true, I’m taking my Bachelor-watching skills to Vegas.

The Men Tell All is going to be a fantastic hour (or two?) of television. It appears Frank will not be appearing next week. Justin and Kasey are going to be the bulk of the drama. Not looking forward to hearing Kasey's voice again. At all.

Sorry no theory on love. The more I thought about it, the more convoluted and inarticulate it became. Sorry for the build up. Lame.

Belated Bachelorette Blogging

2010-07-13T12:40:00.000-07:00

First, let me offer my sincerest apologies. My deviant and lax behavior in watching the Bachelorette late is unacceptable and I take full responsibility for my life choices.

It’s been a hard process for me, but I brought you all together to say that I’m taking my talents to South Beach…

Oh wait, wrong reality fiasco (but I still got nothing but love for LBJ)! My three favorite teams in the NBA remain 1 – Blazers 2- Lebron 3- Celtics. That hasn’t changed – team Lebron just now wears a different jersey. But, I digress.

Now back to the (belated) matter at hand.
Predictions:

Kirk goes home. It’s been fun. His time has come.
We will like Chris even more – he’s going to build off the bracelet momentum.
Frank and Ali will be strong. She looks forward to seeing him the most.
I will wish even harder that Roberto and THIS Ali were hanging out instead of THAT Ali. Alas, let’s just assume he’s really short. I think that will help. Me.

Cue intro and ensuing smiles:

R is for Roberto
Of course Roberto is from Miami. Of course he looks smoking in a baseball uniform. And, once again to his credit, they do a normal-person activity on a date.

Point of clarification – R’s dad called him a big “prize,” not “price” as it sounded with his accent. In addition to Jer’s Ebonics translation service, I’ll augment that with Latin-accent translations. They are dear to my heart.

Adorable. R’s dad is the epitome of a proud father. How do I feel about Ali and Roberto “teaming up” for a business venture? I think it was a smart choice of words considering they were seated in front of a hall of Roberto sports fame. R wants to propose and wants his parents’ blessing. My. Heart. Melted.

Ali: “He’s always been the guy I thought I could be with and end up with in the end.”
It’s clear she is the most physically attracted to Roberto and her tomboy-hood feels most comfortable with him. And then, as Roberto said in his convo with Mami, there’s that “feeling.” I see potential.

C is for Chris
Chris has never been more attractive. I think he will benefit the most by the hometown. He’s been the most awkward of the four remaining. Ali is good with C’s dog. She doesn’t care about getting her boots all sandy. And C never disappoints on the entertainment front with the whales having sex comment. Thanks goes to you, C.

The role-playing on the porch was hilarious. C and Ali took huge steps forward this afternoon. I’m still holding on to the Chris as Bachelor prediction, but he’s trying hard to prove me wrong. But I still can’t get over the eat-her-face kissing. Must improve.

I am offering myself as the executive producer, or maybe just the publicist, for the new ABC dating show for C’s dad. I love this family. Maybe one day I’ll come up with my own family slogan, but for now I’ll stick with “Love is the only reality.” I think I’ll put it on a bracelet. Great, original ideas. I shall copyright.

And, ABC just ran a fake ID story in prime time television. Love happens in a bar with a fake ID. Now I know why I’m still single. I’ve lost touch with the known ID makers from the high school days... wait. I mean, I’ve never met a fake ID maker. Any volunteers out there? Anyone? Bueller? Oh, you don’t need a fake ID at 25? Oh, single Mormons usually don’t meet other single Mormons in bars? There goes my chance.

C: “I want her to not just pick me, but fall for me.”
That might be the best line delivered on Bachelor/Bachelorette history. Try to defy me. Try. Do it. I still win.

K is for Kirk
Kirk: “Well, here we go.” ‘Nuff said.

Holy Cow tracker: Twice. In 30 seconds. Welcome to the land of cheese (and the “holy cows” that make it).

The editing on this segment was fantastic. It appeared as if the first thing Father of K said was the creepy, “Hey Ali, do you want to see my basement?” I’m glad he spins his work as “bringing animals back to life.” I think he may have a future in the PR business. Then again, maybe not. Please, no. I have respect for my industry of choice. Dead animals next to frozen snacks is a deal breaker. Done-zo. Game over. Gross.

The day went well, Dad got less crazy, K talking to his little sister was adorable. Ali’s time with K’s mom was a bit unremarkable. Cute, but unremarkable. Are my opinions being colored by my prediction that he’s going home tonight? Yes. Most definitely. But Ali doesn’t light up the same way, isn’t giddy the same way. And she likes giddy. Love likes lights. Bye, K.

F is for Frank
With his love insecurities, F could be any Mormon guy.

“Is what I have the forever type thing, or is it just another amazing relationship that ultimately we decide, this might not be the best?”

The what if attitude. The possibility of something better attitude. The looking to the future with uncertainty attitude. All male Mormon characteristics. Not the most redeeming quality. I’m kind of over F…

That said, I’m glad to see that despite being back to a full closet of clothing choices F insists on wearing his same green jacket and brown sweater. Continuity is great, right? Right?

Pleasantly, F is back to being sarcastic and funny. So much better than Brooding Frank. He doesn’t need to come back, but I’m thinking he makes an extended appearance in Tahiti.

Ali: “I would do anything to be with the (sideward glance toward the house in which F is sitting) the right person.”
Yes, she likes F. A lot. I feel like she wants F’s mom’s approval more than any other parent. She is afraid of losing him and getting hurt by him. With the exception of R’s hotness – and let’s be honest, that is a bit over-the-top – she hasn’t expressed this fear with the other guys. That tells me she is most vulnerable with F because she likes him the most. Cue the Tahiti previews (in my head). Argh.

And, sigh, we see Chris Harrison. Always a bright spot. The biggest believer in the Bachelor franchise and the closest set of eyes to the train wreck. Not sure how that works, but it fascinates and happy-ates me nonetheless.

Water works! Chris Harrison just has that kind of an effect of people.

I feel like the only drama is the order in which the names will be called. Cue K’s death stare. At least it’s the last time we’ll see it. Here’s my vote:
R
C
F

And I’m 1 for 1. R is called first.
And I’m 2 for 2. C is called second.
And I’m 3 for 3. K is sporting the (unbecoming) death stare.
And I’m 4 for 4. F is the final name called.

In a moment of pure articulation rivaled only by my sentiments after a playoff soccer loss, K says “This sucks.” K, just wait for my mom to tell you that you’re in big trouble. But I agree, sometimes there’s no better way to say it. Some things just suck!

Be excited to hear a developing theory I’m working on. I feel it might be better suited for next week’s “dramatic” episode. Be. Sincerely. Excited. With really low expectations, please! ☺

The Bachelorette 7/5

2010-07-05T20:18:00.000-07:00

The Bacheloretttttttttttte! I’m so excited. Maybe being with Jenny all weekend talking about the comedy that is the Bachelorette got me more excited than normal.

Before we begin, let me thank ABC for the best comedy show on television. And now, you’re going to give me The Bachelor Pad. Joyful. I’m smiling. Now, let’s go. Brace yourselves, this is going to be a long one…

I want to go to Portugal. I speak Pork-a-cheese. Ergo, I need to go to Portugal. Maybe I can find love there, too. If it’s all in a name, from one Ali to another…

Oh wow, Ali just butchered the Pork-a-cheese. Ugly. All she tried to say is welcome to Portugal. Does Roberto pick up on that? Is that a turn off. Ugh.

Roberto. Sucks. At. Taking. Pictures.

“Worse photographer ever.” Yes, Roberto you are. But you have so many other things going for you.

And, I love this date. It’s real. It’s what non-show people would do. Then, they dance in the street. Oh those Latin boys. Where do I get me one? Brasilian? Please?

“You’re a mystery to me a little bit right now.” So instead of letting him talk, I’m just going to kiss you. Hey, If I was staring at those dimples I would find it hard to resist, too.

But I like Roberto. Probably because he is one of the few guys on this show who is less feminine than I am. Good. News. But I like what bro-in-law Jer said, too. Roberto is the only guy who won’t feel like a total idiot watching this season back. He hasn’t said anything ridiculous on camera. He is a dude. Who likes a girl. Props.

2-on-1 date. Chris was so smug about not getting the two-on-one. He is reading that card with the happiest heart thinking… wow- sucks to be you guys!

Let the awkwardness begin. Two-on-ones are BRUTAL.

This is the second two-on-one in which she’s taken a helicopter. I’m a little sad this trip won’t end with Mr. “guard and protect your heart” abandoned on a glacier. Ahh, nuts. Kasey, how we miss you.

“It tickles me to death.” Oh Ty, how far away from the South we are. “It tickles you.” I don’t know if that was sincere or patronizing. Jury’s still out.

“My smiling face and funny demeanor.” Chris L. is fantastic – such a bundle of entertainment.

Frank made such a big deal out of living with his parents! I love how he segwayed (I might have made that word up) into it: “One thing that has brought us even closer together…” HILARIOUS!

Small observation – Ali leans into her kisses with Frank like she doesn’t lean in with any of the other guys. Another observation – I freaking LOVE how Ali is slouched and boyish in her interview. Epic Episode.

I never saw it coming… Ali and her date end up at a castle. Really? How unique. There’s apparently nothing else in Portugal other than old castles. In reality, these palaces, as Kirk likes to call them, are the only attractions ABC could get for free. Hey, it’s a tough economy. Ad dollars are down. We all need to cut somewhere.

It’s at about this point in the episode that I wish I had a counter for a certain catch phrase. Tonight, I wish I had counted all the “I just have a lot on my mind” mentions tonight. All you left-coasters, maybe run a tally and send me the final numbers? Thanks, I appreciate it.

Elated. That’s a good word.

“I can’t be the dude that killed the Bachelorette; that wouldn’t look good.” Well said, Chris. Well said.

“Chris is going pretty slow on the scooter. Kind of like our relationship.” Wow, Ali. Now take the driver’s seat and take off. Chris is a “Yes Dear” man. And it works.

My vote is still on Chris for the next Bachelor. My predictions haven’t gone wrong yet – stay on this bandwagon with me.

“We finally have been able to pick up the speed.” Ali just can’t let go of this moped analogy. Come on Ali, get a little more creative here.

Let me jus say it, Chris is an awful conversationalist. Ali is always searching. He answers yes, no, or the far more intelligent, “Oh ya. Ya, ya. G-- ya.” Such great fodder for love.

And, he is the worst kisser in the world. So painful to watch. Maybe I want to renig (did I make that on up, too?) my Bachelor call. A whole season of this face eating? Eek.

“You make me feel all warm inside.” No, Chris, that’s the copious amounts of wine you drank.

Rose ceremony…

I really like Ali’s dress. It seems so Portugal.

Why can’t Chris just wear a suit? At least he has all-black shoes on. And Ty is pointed out in a ballet stance. Hi-Larious.

Kirk is still giving the death stare from last week. It’s back and it’s definitely not his best look. And he’s the last name called again. Not boding well for his hometown date!

Did Ty just call Ali letting him go a fault? “You had your faults and you have the reason that you do what you did.” That was an interesting choice of words.

And, in case you forgot, let me remind you all that the final four that I called THE FIRST NIGHT is still in tact. Yes, call me a Bachelorette ringer. Maybe I should be a bookie. But seriously, can we take a moment to commemorate this?

Now we have Jake and Vienna in a “hopeful attempt to find closure.” Hope is fleeting, apparently. We are about to witness in 40 minutes what all of America saw coming. Am I the only one who was NOT surprised? At all?

Childish. Petty. Selfish. Dysfunctional.

“You are a fame whore.” Truer and more hypocritical words have never been spoken.

Highlight? “We don’t care about the dog.” You’ve never been more correct, Chris.

I appreciate you being here tonight… and fulfilling your contract.

‘It is what it is.” Couldn’t have said it better myself, Chris!

A glimpse ahead to the hometown dates –
With all the plaid Kirk has been wearing, it’s no wonder his dad’s shed is full of dead animals. Imagination? Not needed. At all. So much to look forward to!

Roberto in a uniform. Yum.

Chris and Ali appearing to have romantic chemistry. This is a step in the right direction.

And Frank going to see his ex-girlfriend. And the demise of the cute “connection” with Ali.

Best two hours of television EVER. Well, at least since last Monday when Justin was hobbling around…

“Justin you’re going to regret this.”
“You’re going to regret this Justin.”

I don’t regret these two hours I just spent watching this show. And typing all of this. Hope you don’t regret reading this.

The Bachelorette 6/28

2010-06-28T21:25:00.000-07:00

Let’s call this one, “The Phone Call.”

Chris Harrison’s face is tragic. Ali’s face when she heard the news is almost authentic. And the sad camera work on the other end of the phone call set this up as a great episode. Justin’s girlfriend, Jessica looks exactly like you wish she would. But there’s a twist, she is one of TWO girlfriends Justin left at home. Shocked? No. Entertained? Absolutely. And we’ve only seen the first segment. Get yourselves ready, folks.

“I’m just pissed.”
-Couldn’t have said it better myself, Ali.

Chris Harrison at his finest: “Just be strong and let him have it.”

The guys come together – just look at Frank. He’s shell-shocked. Ty had a smug smile. Justin feigns disgust and walks out, and Ali goes after him. This couldn’t get any better. He’s going to great heights (literally) to get off camera. Now you want to see Ali off camera? Justin kind of melted my heart when he was speaking Portuguese in the first episode. Not my best moment of judgment. He will have some questions to answer in “After the Final Rose.” This typecast never quite gets old…

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES! Our Time Warner timed out and we jump from Ali cursing at Justin to Frank running up behind Ali and their 1-on-1 date. Sadness… What did I miss?

Frank highlight: “I feel like I’m in a movie right now.” Well, you are in a 2-hour TV show. What’s the difference?

Frank is legitimately falling for Ali and she is scared that Frank could break her heart… I think it’s far more likely she could break his heart. He’s such a female about this process. I feel like he’s vulnerable.

What? No cocktail party? That seems to happen about once a season. Ali knows what she wants to do; the guys have no idea. They are visibly stressed! Drama at it’s finest.

They really tried to play up Kirk’s anxiety of going home tonight, but I wasn’t buying it. That said, Kirk’s final look was almost threatening. He did not like being the last name called. Craig was legit dumbfounded and it’s always hard to see a grown, respectable man like that. Probably because as an adult woman I don’t let myself get anywhere vulnerable like that. Final six and crying? That’s pretty early for the dudes.

All I have to say is my final four is in tact. Ty goes away next week and call me a prophetess. Or don’t, but that’s pretty good.

HOLY SCENES!! If I wasn’t hooked on this season, and this blog clearly suggests that fact, the scenes for the rest of the season opened my eyes right up. So Frank does break Ali’s heart. This is intoxicating. I can’t get enough.

Dissecting the scenes:

Portugal:
Roberto? check.
Chris? Check
Kirk? Check
Ty? Check.
Frank? Check.

Hometown:
Frank
Roberto

Tahiti:
Roberto
Ty
Frank

Hold on kids, this is going to be "The Most Dramatic Finale Ever!"

The pain of fandom...

2010-06-26T14:17:00.000-07:00

It hurts. It guts. It deflates. It paralyzes.

The thing about being a fan is you remain hopeful. You try to stay optimistic. But realism and optimism aren’t always aligned. And incongruity breeds pain.

a lil bit of Bachelorette live-blogging

2010-06-21T20:49:00.000-07:00

Hello family, and anyone else who happens to stumble across my blog,

I live far away from my Bachelor and Bachelorette-watching family. This travesty is somewhat mitigated by our family website that receives a dramatic spike in participation (almost as dramatic as the most dramatic rose ceremony ever) about every Monday after 10 p.m. no matter the time zone. Our love of The Bachelor saga knows no age, no gender, no geography. We are sprawled across this great nation and love to talk about the Bachelor. Our belief in this institution for conversation fodder is topped only by Chris Harrison’s sincere belief in this institution as a marriage starter.

Before I dive into my thoughts of tonight’s episode, I just want to get one thing out there, I called the Final Four after the first episode and I stand by my choices… Chris L., Roberto, Kirk, Frank.

Preface: I just want Kasey to know that my heart is guarded and protected. On that note, I will be doing a running “heart tracker” and trying to count how many times Kasey says heart. I claim no accuracy; I only claim effort.

Heart tracker: 111111111111111111111

These are actual thoughts, while actually watching an actual episode of actual television. I feel like that needed to be clarified!

And to start things off we are heading to Iceland. Ideal. Showing off these hard economic times, ABC puts these guys in coach, back row, middle seat. Spare no expense.

And right away we have a poem-writing contest for a 1-on-1 date. These have always been a crowd pleaser. I can’t help but wonder, what will Kasey write? I think it goes something like this:

Oh my love, Ali where do I start?
How about talking about guarding and protecting your heart.

Wait, how do I say "guard and protect your heart" in Icelandic?

Not surprisingly, the highlight of Kasey's poem was Chris L’s impersonation. I’m 100% confident he won’t be getting that 1-on-1 date.

Fact… Chris N. has a voice beyond “Absolutely.” Who knew? As for the poem? It hurt. 3 months later and thousands of miles away I wanted to save him from himself…

Oh, good move by Kirk getting close to Ali. Did no one learn from Roberto last time? (I promise I said that before Ali did… two names think alike, I guess!)

Thanks to his smooth moves, Kirk gets the 1-on-1 date with Ali and gets the chance to tell his sob story. When hearing Kirk talk about his illness, I feel like I’m watching an episode of “House.” Duh, it always comes back to the molds. Not exactly what I was expecting with the teaser of his fear of sharing his past, but a near-death story was not what I anticipated. Shocking? That said, these two are legitimately cute.

The episode stealers today were Kasey and Justin. My favorite moments?

Kasey: “I’m not just trying to stick around, I’m trying to be the man of her dreams.”

Justin: “One small step for Justin, one giant leap for Rated R”

Favorite Ali moment of the night, while in Iceland: “Now we get to go to a place that the guys have never seen before.”
-Ya, Iceland.

Brooding Frank. Emotionally disastrous, brooding Frank. I’m not a fan of that situation. I am, however, a fan of Ali calling Frank out and asking him to be less of a female on their group dates. Step up buddy.

I'm really taking advantage of this last commercial break before the 2-on-1 date. Deep breaths – this will be painful. The previous two 2-on-1 dates (Jillian and Jake's seasons) sent home both dates, I’m hoping this trend continues!

Sadly I was wrong, but the image of Justin and Ali leaving Kasey alone on this mountain is priceless.

And Ali cuts Chris N. and all’s right in the world. Next week SPOILER ALERT, Justin’s girlfriend at home is exposed and Ali shows some fire in her. Love the drama. I’m 14 seasons strong in this…

You heard it here first.

a lil bit of scripture study

2010-06-19T23:26:00.000-07:00

I'm doing my favorite thing in the whole world. On the joy-inducing scale, it surpasses speaking Portuguese, playing, watching or coaching soccer and being in Brazil. I'm studying the scriptures preparing to teach.

For 19 months this was a daily ritual. For 19 months I woke up every morning with the singular purpose to study the scriptures with the hope in God and faith in his inspiration that I might be prepared to teach his children effectively, recall information quickly and discern spiritual needs accurately (not necessarily in that order).

I'm now studying the story of Saul and David in the Old Testament, hoping to sense what God wants his children to learn, those children who will be attending my Sunday School class tomorrow and this child, who will be teaching the Sunday School class.

And I am joyful.

a lil bit of clarity

2010-05-26T09:12:00.000-07:00

sometimes, i complicate life.

sometimes, i think too hard about what is, what isn't, what could be and what should be.

call me a "should-er."

then, God simplifies it for me. it's usually quiet, passing, unremarkable. and therein lies the wonder.

last night, all it took was walking in the city i love. looking at the skyline i've adopted as home. thinking about the innumerable possibilities the future holds.

then, there was clarity.

a lil bit of taxi trivia

2009-10-21T19:00:00.000-07:00

did you know...

there are two ways to swim upstream, err drive uptown, in manhattan.

way one: float the green stream. sometimes, just sometimes you catch the green lights just right and can follow them all the way in. very few stops. ideal. avg cost: $11.50

way two: get caught at a red light. that means you can travel seven blocks before you stop at the next red light. more than a few stops (7 since you are traveling exactly 70 block uptown). not so ideal. avg cost: $14.00

That's your cab lesson for the day. give my best to park and madison avenues.

A lil bit of pet peeve ranting

2009-10-14T15:52:00.000-07:00

Really... if you need to say "it goes without saying" and then proceed to say that which, by your own admission, "goes without saying," then just leave it without being said.

It's like using a cliche and then immediately following it with "so to speak." Really, you're following one cliche with another? Really?

a lil bit of remembrance

2009-09-11T08:52:00.001-07:00

Today is 9/11. It's a bit different spending this day in New York City.

I was touched by this man's story of survival. He was on the 85th floor of the North Tower. He survived the initial tragedy of the day, but like so many others he struggled with feelings of guilt and sadness for years. He is a survivor. He, like so many others who didn't make it, is worth remembering.

May we always remember with hope.

http://bit.ly/4AOSMT

a lil bit of betting

2009-07-27T19:06:00.000-07:00

so we just finished watching the bachelorette season finale... no worries, no spoilers here, but we know what happens. jill's happily ever after is now common knowledge--at least here on the east coast.

so, as soon as we turned the TV off we started speculating on how long this relationship will last... because the really, we were only waiting all these weeks just to find out who she would break up with in a matter of time.

here are the terms: each person had two months--either together or separate-- to determine when the inevitable breakup would happen. the person closest to the correct time would get something from the two LOSERS. in the case that they stay together, we all will donate time or otherwise to a charitable cause.

here are the guesses (with coded names of course!):

Gooch (okay, maybe not so coded): 8 or 14 months
dancing queen: 3-4 months (and she liked the chosen guy... that's a bit pessimistic)
sassy ballerina: 9-10 months

cheers

a lil bit of freedom

2009-07-05T21:53:00.000-07:00

in light of the iranian protests and other conflicts going on around the world, i was/am especially grateful for the freedom i enjoy and all too often take for granted. this video says it well.

a lil bit of coaching points

2009-06-24T17:08:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I had to be a coach for a minute and record my thoughts on the US Men’s National Team thus far. I’ve missed coaching since I left Utah, don’t tell Skyler, so I’m getting my fix on the blog…

Direct play: All too often, when we win the ball as a team we look like Jo-Jo the idiot circus boy with a pretty new pet (yes, that’s a Tommy Boy reference). We get the ball and we just want to go. Our midfielders run forward before running wide and creating space. Our forwards put their head down and their backs to the ball and just go. That makes it hard to keep the ball and you saw the effects of that in the second half of today’s game and for most of the first two games.

Onyewu: How good has Guc been for two straight games? He wins everything. His instincts are incredible. It’s been out of form for a while – weeks into months - and all of a sudden he found his form against Egypt and was phenomenal against Spain. If anyone knows anyone who knows Onyewu, please introduce me. He is perhaps the sexiest man alive in my book currently…

Bocanegra: I’m impressed with the way he performed against Spain. There’s no saying how difficult it is to be out of game action with an injury and then have your first game back against none other than the best and hottest team in the world, Spain with a mobile, creative and tactically and technically superior attacking side. His touch was impressive, his fitness good, his decision making up to par. I’m pleased with our skipper.

Red cards: How ridiculous is it that we feel the need to challenge for unwinnable balls? I don’t get it. Stupid. Dumb. Unnecessary. You can say all you want about the decisions of the referees but three different refs in three different games on three different occasions gave straight reds… not even two yellows, but straight reds. Ridiculous. Our central midfielders need to figure themselves out.

Final: Who do we put on the field instead of Bradley? That hurts. If Sacha gets the start, I call a 3-0 loss (you heard it first here) with his poor decisions/touch directly responsible for at least two Brasilian goals. Just saying… give Feilhaber a shot. He’s earned it. Please, PLEASE, puh-lease leave Beasley and Sacha off the field… only if you want to chance to win.

Onyewu: Can I just mention how attractive his scruff is? Yes, I like that.

Donovan: I’ve always admired his work rate, but I’ve never seen him work so tirelessly as he has this tournament. In the first couple games he resorted back to not taking enough responsibility in the final third and passed opportunities he should have taken himself. That said, he is the most important player on the US squad. Our best will almost always be our keeper, but he is the most important and he wore the captain’s armband well. In the second half of the Spain game he played endline to endline, LITERALLY. He was on the end of crosses in both of the final thirds. That’s work. Also, his set pieces were almost always dangerous. His services had great pace and gave our guys a chance. Not much more you can ask.

Dempsey: After not defending for basically three games, he came out and had a great all-around game. He came back and defended well and obviously went forward well. He created some good chances on goal and finished one. It’s good to have him back with a chip on his shoulder and playing with his team. Let’s hope that stays.

Casey: As a second half sub in the Italy game Connor came on and was lazy. Really? You’ve been watching your teammates cover the field with 10 for most of the game and are put up front to direct the opponent’s flow of play and make them predictable so the defense behind you can get a bit of shape and you walk? You walk? Then jog and walk more? So unimpressed by him. There has to be another striker in this great country that is willing to work when playing against some of the best teams in the world. Just a hunch. In the Spain game he was better, but not much. Just write his name on the seats next to Beasley and Sacha.

Whining: I’m sick of our reactions. In our first two games let’s be honest, we made millions of mistakes- that much was all too clear. What I don’t want to see is the DeMarcus Beasley hand slap on the ground before he decides to get back. I understand that you have to sppeal calls, just do it as you work, don’t stop working to turn and talk to the ref. if you think a forward is offsides, throw your hand up, scream like mad, and GET BACK. I expect to see us make mistakes, I don’t ever want to see a reaction to the mistake. Seriously, so sick of this.

Spector: He did well for himself this tournament. He’s no Steve Cherundolo (cue University of Portland and Clive Charles love), but he was close to solid. His GLARING weakness, defendin the cross on the far post. He was nearly always beaten to the ball by his mark to the cross on the backside and it cost us at least one goal I can think of right now and multiple other chances. Ya, he should work on that.

Onyewu: And that body…really? Um, that’s nice too. Let’s just say I like him. A lot.

Harkes: Worst. Announcer. Ever. (Skyler, those periods are for you since I know you might be the only one who reads this!) He is unabashedly biased, and adds absolutely nothing to the commentary. He says nothing that makes you think, nothing that opens your eyes. Basically, he says nothing, and yet he says it over, and over and over again. Just for fun I think I’m going to count how many times he says “again” in the final.

Guts: who knew we had them??? This performance is exactly the result you knew we could have as a group, but for so long, with the exception of the 2002 World Cup, the whole has been less than the sum of all the parts. We’ve always boasted some of the best pure athletes in the world, but we’ve lacked the tactical and technical greatness that the best in the world possess—outside of our keepers. That can be attributed a lot of factors that I won’t go into here, but finally in these last two games we’ve decided to grow a pair, take a bit of pride in our work, scrap a bit and leave something on the field. I remember back in the day when April Heinrich was the coach of the WNT and she addressed the regional teams at a tournament in Boca Raton and she said she was worried that soccer was becoming elitist, prima donna, like we were owed something. It wasn’t about being dirty and getting the job done, it was about looking good and doing it “right.” I think she’s mostly right. For two games, the MNT proved her wrong.

Bradley: After the first two losses in this tournament in which the team forgot that this game is played best when passion and heart are involved, his job was in question. Actually, doubts started in a stadium in Costa Rica and were reaffirmed for the most part of the game against Honduras in Chicago. But, he was resilient and made some great personnel decision in the Egypt and Spain games. His decision to put Dempsey upfront was HUGE. Let’s be honest, it saved his job. Well done Bob, well done.

Onyewu: It’s official. I would have his children.

Go USA.

a lil bit of dad

2009-06-21T15:50:00.000-07:00

there are so many things to say on this day, but i decided to just say one thing- say one reason why my dad is special. basically, one reason why i am crazy about this man...

last summer the abc series wipe out was all the rage in my household. i never missed an episode. so when i saw the previews for season 2, i was anticipatory! but, to be honest, i don't think i'll watch a single episode. why? because i realized that when i watched wipe out my head was not toward the tv and my ears were not tuned into the sound-- i was fixated on the high-pitch squeal of a laugh coming from my papa bear. i looked forward to seeing that forehead vein rear it's protruding face (shocking, i know!). the joy behind that laugh was pure. it was real. it was childlike in its sincerity. and that big kid is my dad, a father in every meaning of the title and the role. and i'm grateful that i get to hear that laugh for a very long time in this life- modern medicine is a miracle- and forever as an eternal bond in an eternal family!

that's just a lil bit of dad... but it comes with a lot of bit of love!

a lil bit of thievery

2009-06-09T20:23:00.000-07:00

brand positioning: the place a product occupies in the mind of the consumer that both defines the brand and differentiates it from others.

certain fashion brands, namely

u r b a n o u t f i t t e r s & a n t h r o p o l o g y

have positioned themselves, or set themselves apart, as being fashion forward and unique. they are chains that have more of a boutique feel than the large department stores. you can imagine my shock when i learned this week that these VERY stores shamelessly and repeatedly rip off the designs of working artists.

my dearest friends Heather and Heidi Palmer are entrepreneurial spirits to the very core. they've been developing businesses since they could walk... literally! their latest venture is True Birds. These glammed-up accessories have donned the pages of the hottest fashion mags out there and have been picked up by some major stores including N O R D S T R O M and F R E D S E G A L!! But they're always looking for more... so they sent look books and physical samples to both of the aforementioned stores (the mean ones!). months later, the boxes returned with very few samples and NO look book. hmmmm, interesting.

so, last weekend i was looking for the perfect shawl/cardigan/unique piece to pair with a black sundress. naturally, one of the first places i thought to go was the aforementioned a store. while there, i was looking at their accessories (a guilty pleasure, i know) and i saw a bunch of pieces that looked almost exactly like True Birds pieces. so much so, in fact, that i picked up the head bands and looked for the brand tag... nope, not TB. now, just to be clear- this was not one similar styles- it was SEVERAL.

now, sunday night i'm gabbing with hp (read: heather) and she told me about how she was looking on certain stores' web sites and they were featuring literally almost exact replicas of the birds' designs. then i told her of the rest of the designs that i had seen during my jaunt at the mean store... and the fight was on.

ya know, it's just sad that a store that has set itself apart for originality hides behind the corporate face while two real and personal designers put their face on their designs and make it personal. i'm mad. designs belong to the designers and their kitchen table, late night sewing sessions. how do you fight the giant?

anyone know erin brockovich?

a lil bit of separation anxiety

2009-06-03T20:19:00.000-07:00

i hate when shows end. i hate when movies end. i hate when things in general end...

[think soccer, london, mission et al]

i think that's why i was able to watch chasing liberty three times in one night once...

i think that's why i can only stomach watching the first act of camelot - i know eventually everything goes to pot in the second act... but king arthur's dream can't really end, can it? and his love?

i think that's why bonus features are my favorite part of every dvd - when the movie ends i get to watch at least two more hours of footage! it keeps going, and going, and going

i think that's why i cheer extra loud at the end of a show- thinking i'll make the difference, we'll be the exceptional audience, we'll get an encore

has "he's just not that into you" taught us nothing? we are not the exception... we are the rule. i am the rule. it's over. it ends. done.

p.s. i l-o-v-e-d mary poppins tonight. absolutely FABULOUS! laugh out loud funny, if i were the crying type i may have even shed a tear... and great family values and message.

cheers to disney.
cheers to broadway.

cheers to disney on broadway.

my mom always, but so much more!

2009-05-10T16:00:00.000-07:00

"I love my mother as the trees love water and sunshine - she helps me grow, prosper, and reach great heights." ~Adabella Radici

one day, these words, don't begin to be enough.

i guess the idea of honoring someone with 24 hours devoted to appreciation for their life-long service is a good gesture. brilliant, even. insufficient at best. dreadfully insufficient.

to quote mr. lincoln who said, "all that i am, i owe to my angel mother" would be accurate. but, lacking.

to amend his words and say, "all i am and can potentially be that's any good i owe to my angel mother" is better. still lacking.

to say, "all that i am, the best possible version of myself, the self that loves, feels, serves and cares, i owe to my angel mother" is even better. still lacking.

so, while insufficient, i'd like to say that my mom, best friend, confidant and mentor is special for a plethora of reasons... but i would only like to name a few.

1- as a daughter, i ALWAYS knew my mom loved me. there was never any doubt. now, maybe being the baby girl in the family, i positioned that love in such a way that i could get what i wanted (my sisters would read [spoiled]), but she will never be found guilty of not loving me enough. that love has saved me at times.

"Mother's love is peace. It need not be acquired, it need not be deserved." ~Erich Fromm

2-she's always been available. if i needed her, my mom was available. now, that's not to say that she's not busy. raising six kids, often on six teams at a time, making dinner, lunches, keeping the house together, and working to help out (what family can live on one income these days?) meant my mom probably felt more like hired service on many days. i'm sure the thank yous were few and the hours were long. and yet, she was ALWAYS there. i always felt a priority. she was never too busy for me. i, on the other hand, often convinced myself that i was too busy for her, but the inverse was never true.

"Mother - that was the bank where we deposited all our hurts and worries." ~T. DeWitt Talmage

3-she sure does know how to listen. for someone who has a famed reputation of loving to talk on the phone, my aunt sharon is also endowed with this talent (which comes first, the talent then the daily conversations, or does the daily conversations develop the talent? this chicken/egg idea merits a later look), my mom knows when all i need is a shoulder, an ear, a hug, a "ohhhh honey, i'm sorry." when she does offer her nuggets of wisdom... she always seems to be right and right on time. but mostly, she lets me talk, lets me think, lets me vent. she's good at that.

"Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children." ~William Makepeace Thackeray

4-she lets me fly. and sometimes, i fly far away. and sometimes, she knows when i'll be back. and sometimes, she doesn't. and yet, like every loving mother, she'll help me strengthen my wings, and let me plunge out of the nest. and then when she sees me soar, a feat for which she is almost entirely responsible, she seems simultaneously awed and unsurprised. her faith in me is limitless. it's an anchor.

"My mother is a poem
I'll never be able to write,
though everything I write
is a poem to my mother."
~Sharon Doubiago

5-she sees with celestial eyes and offers that view to others. in general conference in october 2008, president eyring spoke of people in our lives who see us much more like the savior than we see ourselves. he was talking about my mom. now, i would be remiss to say that she is the only person in my life that fits this bill, but i say with full confidence that she has most consistently seen me with the savior's eyes. and, far more often than i probably want to admit, sorrowed that her little girl couldn't see herself through that same lens. the first time i felt that yearning i was in the beach community of caraguatatuba, brasil. we were teaching jessica. jessica was 14. jessica had no idea who she was. she shied away from looking into the reality of her own worth. i prayed. i fasted. i prayed. i pleaded. i prayed. i wept. i prayed... hoping that jessica would awaken to understand her divine nature, her innate deity, her value as a daughter of God. and then, in that little beach town, i thought back to the time i came home from high school to find my room clean (and we know that's not how i left it in the morning) with a book on my bed "daughter of a king." she wanted so badly for me to see it, to know it, to feel it, to trust it. she might like to know... she's rubbing off. even if it's still hard.

"Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible." ~Marion C. Garretty

a lil bit of a detour

2009-05-06T16:07:00.000-07:00

have you ever taken the long way home, just so you had more time to read?

ya, me neither... i was just wondering.

on an unrelated note, i finished my book today.
i bought it monday...night.

a lil bit of miss liberty

2009-05-03T07:51:00.000-07:00

on what started out as a cold, windy, rainy day, we spent saturday visiting "the lovely lady of liberty" and ellis island.

it was definitely a throw-back to the europe days where museums and trips were a part of the routine... i must say i missed my cohorts. my girls are just the best people to tour a city with- hands down.

i tried to make miss liberty personally meaningful, just to better understand what those millions and millions of immigrants felt as they saw her rising out from the hudson bay fog.

i remember driving home from utah every year. as soon as we hit the columbia gorge, i knew we were close! those last miles seemed to drag on... hurry up already... but i drew comfort in knowing that the 12 hours in the car was short lived and almost over.

with that in mind, i better understand what seeing the statue of liberty meant to these journeying hopefuls. upon seeing the copper figure, after more than 12 days on a boat (sure puts 12 hours to shame), these passengers knew their journey was reaching an end. while many faced uncertainty on ellis island, the bulk of their waiting was over. what a welcomed sight!

for old time's sake

"and there she is, the lovely lady of liberty"

fun fact: the statue is only as thick as two pennies!

a lil bit of Bo

2009-04-14T21:35:00.000-07:00

The Obama's finally unveiled the first pooch.

I must agree, the puppy's got star quality.

And he doesn't shed hair.

And he's portuguese.

Let's just say he's got a lot of things going for him!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7999253.stm

a lil bit of spontaneity

2009-04-02T21:36:00.000-07:00

a true story:

taylor: ali, where do you want to go for your birthday dinner?

ali: stanford's

taylor: what's that?

ali: it's a restaurant in portland

taylor: let's go!

ali: don't toy with me

taylor: do you really want to go back?

ali: i haven't been back for five years

taylor: then we're REALLY going

two plane tickets later (thanks southwest for having $71 weekend fares!) we are going to portland april 16-18.

happy birthday to me.

happy grateful forever to taylor.

that's love.

a lil bit of snow, only a lil

2009-03-05T10:48:00.000-08:00

as i was pulling in to my parking garage last night (thank heavens for underground parking), my windshield caught drops of rain mixed with snow. when my roommate came home, the mixing had given way to full-fledged snow. it was coming down all white, all night.

then...

i wake up and the sun is shining and the sky is blue--a perfect contrast to the fresh blanketing of snow!

i hereby cast my vote for all future snows to follow these simple guidelines:
1-must only snow at night
2-must be cleared off the streets by 7 a.m.
3-must be followed by blue sky and sun
(this is sounding a bit like a song from a certain musical "Camelot")

that isn't to much to ask is it?

25 things you now know about me

2009-02-13T00:04:00.000-08:00

this has been circling facebook for weeks. i broke down and did it... and since my mom doesn't have f-book i'm posting it here too for your viewing and reading pleasure! enjoy.

1. Certain people refer to me as "Ali, uh with the junk."

2. AP style overwhelms me. I have become obsessed with it--more for necessity than for desire! It even sneaks in to my verbal communication. No ending sentences with prepositions here...

3. Rice and beans make me happy. No, really. I eat every bite with a smile. "E' o amor!" If I could eat them everyday for the rest of my life I would. Literally. Maybe that's why Brasil is my FAVORITE place in the whole world. It must have something to do with it. At least a little.

another reason i love brasil

4. I have a mild dislike for animals. I don't get the pet passion people have. They are animals. Aren't human. Don't talk. Don't clean. Make messes. Inevitably die tragically. What's not to love, right?

5. I am a procrastinator. Right now I should be writing scholarship essays. Case in point.

6. I LOVE cities. All shapes, one size:BIG. There's something about pollution, traffic, public transportation and high rises that gets me. Start spreading the news, I'm leaving today (being the 26th of April). I want to be a part of it...New York, New York.

big city love

7. Soccer. It owns my heart. My mom once made fun of me that I cared more about what I looked like at soccer than I did at school...it was true. Can you blame me? Soccer apparel was an obsession. I'm currently recovering (only because I'm poor--just wait 'til I actually make money). Soccer tournaments are some of the highlights of my life. I've been kicked out of hotels and ostracized to the balcony. I've packed an old-school VCR to watch in hotel rooms. I've played dress up at Target. I've taken some really ugly pictures. Anything can happen when you travel with soccer girls. Nicknames and hand shakes are ALWAYS in order... Skali, Skmar, Skhil, Skyra!

8. Apparently I'm superstitious. In high school I had my adidas and nike cleats to go with the outfit of the day since I adamantly OPPOSE mixing brands. I wore my adidas cleats in one game, at McMinneville, and played SO poorly I never wore them again in a game. They were relegated to practice cleats only on the rare adidas days. I was always a nike girl anyway... what was I doing branching out into the adidas world? Sorry Uncle Ron.

9. I win. I'm like the kid on Big Daddy that says "I win" after everything. I say it too--except I legitimately win. There was once a cheating streak in me to satisfy said winning desire. It got so bad that I used to cheat as the banker when I played Monopoly with the kids I nannied. I've changed. Now, if I beat you it's because I'm just better. The end.

10. My broseph happens to be one of my favorite people on the planet. I don't have a single childhood memory that doesn't involve him. They are all happy. Even the one when I made him go first down a zip line we made off the neighbor's second-story balcony with rope and a hanger. I love Tay-tay, Handles, T-Cash Money Bling Bling et al. Even after the zip line incident and years of back problems later, I'm pretty sure he loves me too! Even though I know he won't do one of these things, I'm going to tag him anyway.

the broseph

11. Boo snow. It serves no purpose for me. I don't ski, snowboard or like sledding. If it must fall, it belongs in the mountains. If it must.

12. When I was 16 I totaled my dad's car in Ladd Canyon driving to Oregon from Utah. It traumatized me. I didn't speak for 24 hours...ME!!! I know, right? Stop shaking your head and saying no way and ask my sister Heather. She was the passenger and witness to it all. She repeatedly told me to stop as we were spinning out of control and crossing lanes of traffic before running into a rock wall. She got whiplash. She had a laceration on her forehead. I was...sore? The ER doctor who saw us both said the following (oh so tactfully)
-Dr: You're 16?
-Eu: Yes
-Dr: And you were driving?
-Eu: Yes
-Dr: And you look like this (unscathed) and your sister looks like THAT?
-Eu: Yes
-Dr: She must be pissed at you!
No wonder I cried everytime it snowed for the next two years just thinking about driving in it. Is it possible this relates to #11? No, it couldn't possibly!

13. I love sports. I love sportscenter. I love sports. I love sportscenter. I learned everything it all from my mom. She's the biggest fan I know. Back in the Blazer glory days (pre jail blazers bad era and b roy good era) when not yours, not mine, but Arvydas Sabonis was our best answer to Shaq's LA domination, the cable company blocked all Blazer home games unless you subscribed to Blazer Television. Yeah right. Instead my mom and I went out to dinner every game night and watched the game from the restaurant. Many a night was spent at Sportsnation. Those were the days. Rip City. Bust a bucket.

14. American Idol...I'm a fan. Big fan. HUGE. I have seen EVERY SINGLE episode aired since season one (excluding drawn out Hollywood week) except for anything aired between Oct. 10 2006 and May 1 2008. However, I have only voted for ONE contestant. Count 'em... ONE! But I would vote for two solid hours on at least two cell phones and a house phone. Nikko Smith. He's a taurus. I'm a taurus. It's right; it fits.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVNeLrKGGDY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1mLtaNxMEo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaLnSHw6mX8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dYAY2Jvdns&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CULuvx0Z9O0&feature=related

That year Heather treated me to tickets to the American Idol tour. I made us Nikko shirts. I have the pictures to prove it. We almost got backstage because Scott Savol was eying my sister. We didn't. I still love him. I won't vote for anyone else out of principle. I just can't.

the Nikko shirts

15. I have a purse problem. I can't have enough big, shapeless bags. I currently have 10 bags hanging on the back of my door--and those are just the ones I have in my apt. I need NO coaxing to purchase a new bag. It's always a good idea.

16. Speaking of purchasing. I also love belts, earrings, bangles, headband-type things, rings and scarves. You can never have too many. Ever. Period. At least I'm consistent.

17. I heart PR. Like a lot. Really. I'm so lucky that I chose a profession about which I'm passionate (see the placement of the preposition?). I love reading about the industry. I love putting together and executing campaigns. I love writing. I love editing. I love crisis communication. I love public relations. Yes.

18. You dance and I'll watch. No, really. America's Best Dance Crew, Step Up, So You Think You Can Dance, You Got Served... all faves. Can I dance? Ummmmm- let Solomon answer that question! Ha.

19. When I was in sixth grade my sister walked in to the cafeteria at Twality Middle School on my birthday with a bouquet of balloons and took me out to Applebees. I got lunch and, of course, a blondie. I've been to Applebees for a blondie every birthday since (at least those spent in the states).

20. Movie quotes are a part of my everyday vernacular. I do it so much people no longer recognize it as a quote--they just write it off as an Ali-ism. It helps that I have a steel trap for a memory and that I used to grab bear claws two at a time...

21. I am Avery's favorite Aunt. She told me once. I remind her (and her other aunt who happens to be my sister) often. My goal is to be the favorite aunt of all the nieces and the nephew. That means I paint finger nails, give candy, and run around, fall and squeal a lot. Hey--whatever it takes to reach my goals.

avery with her favorite aunt

22. I have a habit of setting lofty goals and then admiring the miracles the Lord enacts to make it all happen. I often stand in awe of my own life thinking, wow, I did NONE of that. Ergo, I like to say I'm the most blessed person in the world... not for anything i did or deserve.

23. I love to travel. All it takes is pulling out one of my olive green suitcases and looking at my ridiculously meticulous folded piles of clothes to get me smiling from ear to ear. Airports are perhaps my favorite place in the world, especially when located in a big city (see #6)

24. I have 10 pillows on my bed. Most are for decoration. Four stay on and sleep with me. I also have four inches of foam heaven on top of my mattress that my grandfather received in the hospital when he broke his hip. Needless to say, I push snooze a few times in the morning!

heaven on a bed

25. I love words, phrases, the way things soar to our ears. Little stimulates me more than a well-worded speech, a well-written book, a well-thought out poem. I carry a notebook with me EVERYWHERE in which I record words and phrases I like and want to remember. It can be from the latest book I'm reading. It can be from a random conversation. But it stays with me at all times just in case. It'll come in handy one day when I write my book.

gratitude is in order

2009-01-31T17:29:00.000-08:00

many have asked me recently if i'm excited. in a word, YES. but more than that, i'm grateful. why? i've accepted an internship at Middleton & Gendron, a PR firm based out of manhattan.

this is one of the PR firms i identified in my internship search at which i would love to work. i have heard great things about their corporate culture and the character of the people there--from top to bottom.

then last week, i received an e-mail from a professor who had been in contact with them. she informed me that m & g decided to offer the position and wanted to hear back as soon as possible... i asked for 24 hours to think about it.

after much thought and prayer i decided to accept. i start april 27th. the office is on 5th Ave. three blocks from rockefeller center.

the Lord is Great. I am grateful.

*****none of this could not have been possible without the help and recommendation of my dear HP... fanks love!

valentine's in january

2009-01-16T21:00:00.001-08:00

with my job at the college of nursing i often have the chance to interview faculty for various college stories. i was interviewing a new faculty member the other day and i asked her to share her initial impressionsof campus. she mentioned how warm and welcoming everyone was... then went on to say that it was a very "lovey dovey" campus.

when we went outside to take her picture we walked through a trail of red rose petals in the jfsb atrium. someone had a romantic proposal!

the trend continued... i show up to my religion class thursday night and i sit right next to the epitome of said couple campus. they were sitting hand in hand and when she found something worth writing down they would somewhat awkwardly unhook, she would note no more than the bare essentials, then they would relatch and the loving husband would resume stroking her hand.

that's not all.

right behind me there was couple number two. they both had paper and pen out, but still found the time to hold hands and loving husband #2 just loved caressing the jean-clad leg of his beloved.

i was almost tempted to turn to the guy next to me, grab his hand and plant a big wet one on him. too bad he was sleeping.

one way ticket

2009-01-03T23:48:00.000-08:00

On an east bound plane? And why not... headed to

Why? How? it's all about doing this in april

2009 has some big things in store... big
HUGE

the 'ship

2008-12-17T10:19:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I laced up the boots and took to the soccer field. I stopped playing for BYU in 2005 and since then I've spent a semester in London, had two (count 'em) ankle reconstruction surgeries, and spent a 19-month hiatus in a skirt in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Needless to say, I was a little bit excited about the idea of playing on an intramural soccer team with some other has beens and some friends...

Team name: Number One's. With a name like that you better back it up and believe me, we did! We took the 'ship, we earned the t-shirt. My only and best intramural experience!

twin birds take flight

2008-12-15T21:13:00.000-08:00

Hey all! My best friend Heather and her twin sister Heidi have been working on their own accessory line and officially launched their Web site this week. Here's some great deals for you all. Take a look and have fun with their 20's inspired pieces.

Here's what she had to say:

We've kept our side biz pretty hush hush as we needed to place our accessory products in the hands of the right buyers/showrooms, magazines and influentials before we exposed our idea to the web world.

Our accessory company is called True Birds. We've been calling each other 'bird' for many years and thought the name fitting! We had a big vision of a business idea and limited time with newlywedness, work endeavors, moves and the sort but after lots of passion, designing, fabric districting, midnight sewing, marketing, graphicking, photoshooting,web-site-ing (I just made up a slew of 'ing' words!)and the like we have come out just in time for the last of the Christmas shopping! Yahoo!

We've struck some luck with a great buzz about the product. We're in numerous boutiques from Beverly Hills to the N.Y.C., have had some celebrity requests for True Birds from the likes of Mamma Mia's star, Amanda Siegfried as well as the writer of JUNO, Diablo Cody. We also just recently had a request for a meeting with the hair accessory buyer from Henri Bendel which will be held next month. We've been so blessed and we love how it is all naturally taking flight!

(A quick glance of what the True Birds, www.truebirds.com web store features)

So, we want to spread a little Christmas Cheer! We're offering a 40% off coupon for all orders until December 31, 2008. This coupon is for our family and friends and their family and friends so feel free to share it!

The coupon code for 40% off is: HOLIDAY

If you want to get an additional 10% off to get a total of 50% off your entire order its easy! All you have to do is post something about True Birds on your blog and/or facebook, send us a link of your post to truebirds@gmail.com and we'll immediately send you your 50% off coupon for your entire order as well as our much appreciation and email smile :).

fyi: All of our accessories are almost up! For the next couple of days the only items you can purchase through the website are the adult 'soft bands' and 'baby bands' because the others aren't linked for sale yet. If you would like to order others that don't have the link to buy online you can email us your order and phone number and we can do a paypal order via phone. Thanks!

*other fyi: you enter the coupon code on the page after you enter your credit card information

For Christmas Delivery order by

Wednesday, December 17th (11:59 PM PST)

miracles DO happen!

2008-12-01T17:14:00.000-08:00

The first miracle: I am writing a new blog post!

The second miracle: I was accepted to the NY program through the Comms department at BYU.

My soul needs New York and I am so grateful that I will be able to take in the sights and smells of this great city. I love big cities, I love traffic, I love public transportation. These things bring me great joy. What's better? I get to experience all this while testing my skills in the PR field. This semester has been quite the load. I don't have time for nearly anything outside school and work. I have learned much- most importantly how much I love PR. Here's a list why:

1- PR is about communication. I love communicating and communicating for a cause.
2- This industry is growing and using the growing Web of social media to continue to foster conversation
3- I get to use my words! Words are my passion and they are conveniently essential in my chosen field.
4- There is more to PR than just writing, contrary to popular belief. There is strategic planning that includes defining and reaching publics, or broken-down demographics. Then you design messages to reach each public, appeal to their self-interests, then invite them to action!

So come see me April-June in New York City. Hopefully it will be a temporary stop in the city I hope to return to permanently after graduation. Here's to dreams coming true.

a true friend

2008-10-18T23:13:00.000-07:00

on feb. 1 2007 i read 2 nephi 1:30 "and now, zoram, i speak unto you : behold thou art the servant of laban; nevertheless, thou hast been brought out of the land of jerusalem, and i know that thou art a TRUE FRIEND unto my son, nephi, forever."

transfers happened one week earlier. i met her january 23 when i picked her up from the bus station in sao jose dos campos. she was my second companion. thus it began...

here's my nephi:and this weekend she was sealed in the spokane temple to one lucky guy! alexsandra de freitas silva- or as i like to call her, minha tia, minha metade melhor, bixinha, freitinhas, e nefi- knows me. she knows the raw, stripped, real, vulnerable me. she knows my weaknesses, and she still thinks i'm great. she shares my sorrows, and takes part in my joys. she prays for my family more than i do. whenever i REALLY need a prayer answered, i just ask her to offer it. i'll never forget our nights on our knees in caraguatatuba, brasil, when i would open my eyes as she prayed just to see what heavenly messengers were in the room... her conversations were that intimate. she is one of the angels to which Elder Holland referred to in his general conference address. tonight, as i was talking to my friend about her, i said she changed my eternities... "wait, what? how?" well- she changed my mission, which transformed my life, which will determine my eternity- ergo, she changed my eternity!

i vividly remember a day during our magical transfer together... we were walking in a neighborhood called Barranco Alto and she threw her hands up in the air and said, "i don't need much in a husband, i just want you, but a guy version!" well, i don't know daniel garret trawick very well, but i know she loves him. i know he loves her. that is all i need to know.

i am forever grateful for nefi, my true friend, and all the other true friends that that Lord has blessed me with. they really color my world beautiful.

On this day

2008-09-11T21:30:00.001-07:00

Today is not a day that you wonder if you remember, but, rather, how.

How did you remember? How do I remember? How should we remember?

new e-mail address

2008-08-27T00:37:00.000-07:00

hello one and all

i opened a gmail account so it will now be the main e-mail used for everything... so write me here, not my yahoo account- please.

alison.jo.williams@gmail.com

loves

yay for LA- day 5

2008-08-22T15:28:00.000-07:00

the trip had to end at some point... but before that day arrived we couldn't say goodbye until we had one very important pit stop.

we went down to malibu to go to the beach and take advantage of my last afternoon in sunny southern california. it was a beautifully windy day- much more reminiscent of oregon beach weather than socal... needless to say i loved it. the waves were white, the water was blue, the sand was light, the smile was permanent and the conversation the best.

while we were there just hanging out this man came around collecting recycling and he was followed by a HERD of seagulls. it was amazing to see how many birds trailed his every step and hovered in the air- seemingly motionless just waiting. the picture really doesn't do it any justice.

it was hard to leave LA. weird. i am so not a california girl- but i loved the company, the convos, the climate. i felt at home. i'm sure tyson was uber excited for me to go and get his wife back all to himself, he is quite the husband, but as i was leaving i couldn't help but think i felt more like i was leaving home than going home. that's what being around a person that makes you the best you will do i guess. for that i am grateful and forever will be. love you, right?

yay for LA- day 4

2008-08-21T15:53:00.000-07:00

so monday was all about work- well as much as it can be when you are an intern for your best friend. here is the amazing product. i became a believer.

so we worked. a lot. got a lot done. really. i promise.

then after all that time of pitching and researching and staring at a computer screen it was time we looked at something a lil bit more attractive, and let's be honest, take a break from all that HARD work so we went to see...

such a fun movie... we laughed and got sentimental- some of the lines were a bit real and applicable to life. but the real winner?

jesse williams. can you say hot (maybe it's in the last name?). do it with me... hot! this man is attractive. way too attractive for his own good. yes- we were glad we went and saw the movie. so glad

yay for LA- day 3

2008-08-21T15:34:00.000-07:00

i love sundays- visiting a ward in thousand oaks california- being invited by the bishop to move into the ward- seeing the look on tyson's face when the bishop asked me to move into the ward- hearing the primary leaders butcher heather's last name- hearing the 5-year-olds say her name just right on the first time- going to junior primary- teaching junior primary on...

obedience

playing sequence in heather's uber cute patio- beating heather while playing sequence in her dapper patio- watching the olympics (something new) - sleeping on an air mattress - having fun in southern california

yay for LA- day 2 in fotos

2008-08-21T15:29:00.000-07:00

here are all the fotos from the day at universal- pay close attention to the early nineties logo... so great. and there are a bunch of pics from the sets at universal that have been used in pretty much ALL the movies EVER made- okay maybe that is a slight exaggeration but it is great. more details to come.

yay for LA- day 2

2008-08-21T14:48:00.001-07:00

on saturday we bought employee "not for resale" tickets to universal studios for $15- not too shabby, even if the guy that sold them to us wasn't really supposed to- oooops. it was great fun

here are the wonderful hosts from the weekend- THE tyson and heather fujikawa... or as the primary president called her, sister lilysawa (i dunno- just say it with an asian accent)
thanks guys

the new simpsons ride was all the rage- and thanks to our unnamed employee friend we had passes to go right to the front of the line. only thing- the pass was only supposed to work for 4 people, and we were 5... the girl wasn't gonna let us in until tys pulled out the spanish-speaking charm and said we were her friends. "if you were my friends you would bring me food" she replied. well, we got in. no line. so worth it. the best part was heath laughing like the toddler on youtube. way better than the ride and the ride was great.

here we are with lindsay and brandon wells- the reason for the cheap tickets and fellow byu pr people... except they actually graduated. one day i will get that part too. the unnamed kid that sold us the tickets was actually an intern for brandon at his pr firm where he works on pr for nintendo. lindsay does pr for toyota and yamaha. but it was awesome to get to know them- such great people and a way cute couple. this stella pic is from the jurassic park ride. the whole time we waited in line... which wasn't long, hence why we didn't use the line-skipping ticket thingies... heather and tyson were guaranteeing that we wouldn't get wet on the ride and that the middle was the safest seat. let's just agree to disagree. i was smack dab in the middle seat- the logical spot for a single girl surrounded by two couples and on a 5-person row- and came out the worst. the black shirt doesn't do the wetness justice. but the pants are classic...
oh, and lindsay was pissed!

snack time! showing off the new white bangles and in front of the mummy ride- this one was over really fast. it was fun- herky jerky- lots of starts and stops and spinning and backwards and dark- let's be honest i was glad it ended when it did. i didn't want to get sick. but after this ride we were all ready for a break! we did the "backdraft" walk through and went and saw...

the water world show starring the stunt people from all your favorite shows. at this point we had dried off and we were quite pleased we didn't sit in the soak zone! but the stunts were pretty impressive and would have finished off our day if we hadn't decided to use our pass-cutting-line-thingies to go to the house of horror. is it october? because it pretty much just felt like haunted house. heather's screams were once again worth the trip.

yay for LA- day 1

2008-08-21T14:16:00.001-07:00

so i had an amazing time with my best friend and her husband. it was the perfect mix of work, fun, and chilax with the bestlers HP and Tys. here is a quick recap of what happened.

first stop on our tour of everything fun was the fashion district. we walked in and out of soooooooo many stores and saw some great and not so great things... all sorts of legitimate products- gotta love dolce and gabbana for $25- and i thought that was expensive. it was also great to see heather the business woman hard at work trying to get a direct source for a pink paisley fabric that is a big hit on knot heads. but it was a myriad of lil shops and stands, and people from all over. oddly- i felt at home.

i particularly loved shopping the $1 jewelry stores and i found myself some white bangles i had been wishing i had for a while! yesssss for cheap. yesssss for talking to my sisters while shopping to see if they wanted anything from my white-bin paradise.

next stop? Olvera Street. we split an order of taquitos and beans with cheese, oh so good. apparently this grub is world famous- and the line that wrapped around the corner at times proves it. they were certainly the best taquitos i've ever had. world famous in my book, or blog.

last stop before rushing home to make dinner and the olympics... the getty museum! i loooooooooooooved it. the best part- well of course it is free and that is good but it wasn't the best- there was a bernini exhibit. now when we first saw the posters i knew i had heard of that name- but it had been a while since i took any humanities classes. i felt like he was the sculptor that made me fall in love with baroque art and want to go to rome. if i recalled right he was known to be so talented that he could sculpt so thin that his leaves rustled in the wind. well- the memory served right. the exhibit was focused on his portraits and it was marvelous. he blew away his contemporaries with the ability to catch images in a time when images couldn't be captured, as our tour guide pointed out. our guide was a local artist that had a resume- let's just leave it at that. but he helped uncover the beauty of bernini's work. but equally impressive as the exhibit was the museum in and of itself. as i told my mom- i think this was one of the best museum experiences ever... and the bar is raised pretty high! but the getty has gardens that made me want to sit and bask forever- and we did pretty much that. about 4 hours at the museum and one 1-hour tour. me and hp were just warming up for those garden parties we will be hosting when we are old and gray!

Speaking of blogging

2008-08-05T21:43:00.000-07:00

okay- so as i was at work tonight, two different coworkers, unknown to the other, each came up to me and told me that i looked like a certain celebrity... now i'm not saying i am anywhere near a celebrity beauty- but it seems like everyone says i look like a different celebrity- and i really don't see any of them, although heaven knows i would like to! don't get me wrong, i'm flattered, but i just don't see it. so- here are some of the faces- chime in on what you think...

1. Gina Davis

2. Jeanne Tripplehorn

3- Rachel Bilson

4- Jennifer Garner

2008-08-04T06:03:00.000-07:00

so it's official, in 11 days i am headed off to my first post-mission vacation. where am i headed?

to visit whom?

she might kill me for this picture...

but what does that call for?

this. lots and lots of this.

okay, minus the killer bod, cute tube-top swimsuit, and cool pool to lay out in, but you get the picture. i need to get rid of these nasssssty tan lines on this nasssssssssty body so i can go to the beach for the first time since this little adventure:

Barcelona, October 2005. it's been a while.

where my favorite old navy shopper frolicked in the waves of the mediterranean

where we ate belgian waffles on the boardwalk

and met hot euro guys. can you say belgish?

and this asian lady basically stripped us naked to give us massages on the beach.

man. i'm excited.

i love sundays

2008-08-03T20:25:00.000-07:00

man- today was such a great day.

it was fast sunday, so in the Mormon church that means we don't eat or drink anything for 24 hours, with a purpose and constant prayer in our hearts. i taught this principle so many times on the mission, and today i lived what i taught. i taught people that as we take away the food from our bodies, it becomes weakened, so the spirit becomes the greater power and it leads our soul rather than the body. in this rare state, we can commune more easily with the divine and are more in tune with spiritual things. today i felt just that.

in addition to fasting, in church on the first sunday of every month the members have the chance to bear their testimonies, or state their witness of truth. man- the spirit was strong today. there was the guy that looks every ounce of football player possible who showed the emotion of a child as he talked about the all-encompassing peace that he received through a priesthood blessing, given by a loving Father in Heaven through a willing and worthy servant. there was the girl who shared an experience and taught us that Jesus walks the halls of the Temples. there was the kid who is getting ready to go on a mission so has a fire and excitement about the gospel. he highlights pretty much everything in the Book of Mormon because "it's all golden." there was the girl who thanked her visiting teacher for being so aware and so loving, and didn't know that that same visiting teacher had talked to me about her life and was feeling kind of stuck. i bet she was grateful someone noticed her efforts. she is wonderful. she should be noticed more often. there was the couple who is getting ready to be married in the temple for time and all eternity and went through the temple yesterday together, the first time for both, and felt the peace that brings us all back to that sacred place. there was that other girl who decided to study more about the Atonement and was real, saying how she expected a pop-culture self help on how to access the atonement as she studied the sacred sacrifice of our Savior Jesus Christ. she didn't find what she thought she would. it was better. so much better. she learned that as we humble ourselves and repent we become broken and palpable in the hands of our Master, Savior and Creator Jesus Christ. that is where we find access to the healing power of the Atonement. i liked that she was honest, open, and vulnerable- but that her study changed her.

then we had sunday school. we talked about alma the younger, a great character in the Book of Mormon for sure, but so much more than that. he is real. he lived. he fought against the church. the son of the prophet was attacking the believers, and succeeding. then... would i want to see an angel? do i want a heavenly visitor? i mean, once it happens there is such a Huge responsibility. the teacher, my dear davia king said that he could have been righteous, repented and gone on his merry way with his family building the church one home-teaching visit at a time and would have been saved. i beg to differ. how many people do we know of that have seen angels? can they ever go one with a normal life? look at saul-turned-paul. he was a passionately God-fearing person with the wrong map. going down the path he thought so certain to be right, fighting the early Christians in the name of truth. enter angel. what did he do from then on? oh nothing really- just was imprisoned various times, testified from shackles, was bruised, beaten, and ultimately killed for his new path- the right right path. look at Joseph Smith. did he see an angel. oh no. he saw Several. and what's more- he saw God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. man. and what did that require of him? his life. his love. his heart. his home, and then another home, and then another, and then... his family, his freedom. but what was expected of him was expected of all around him- his open heavenly communication raised the bar for all those players in his life. his wife buried children, then buried him. his brother was so united with him and his cause of truth, the true kind, that they were united even in death. his closest friends tore his flesh as they pulled the tar and feathers bit by bit off his broken body, and then saw him stand in the front of those that inflicted such hate-bred wounds as he testified of forgiveness. does that require a lot of someone? you tell me. so alma the younger, he spent his life living up to the expectation of the heavenly messenger. he gave his life to the service of the very cause he set about destroying. and it was never easy. so when he told his son to learn wisdom in his youth, yeah to learn in his youth to keep the commandments of God, he understood the price of not obeying. and of obeying with exactness. and yearning the obedience of others so much it hurt. so do i want to see an angel? probably not. i don't know that i am ready for that responsibility. i don't know that i want to call upon those i love most to live up to it either- but what's real is i know they could. and if the Lord saw fit to call on me in that way, i hope from the insides of my heart that i would be willing to live up to his confidence. his love. his hope for me. but it would take a lot. let's be honest, it would take it all.

then- the day just gets better and better. we had Relief Society. now, the ward i attend is probably the most pigeon-holed ward that exists. "oh, you live there, i should just go then." not so much. but today we laid our insecurities on the table and i learned i'm really not that much different than anyone else (contrary to previous thought). the girl with the model body, big boobs, and a face so smooth she should be a part of a botox campaign is shy? she is scared to get to know people? serious? no, are you serious? the girl i wanted to not like so much because she seems to have everything just wanted the girls in the ward to be real and interested in one another. she wanted to bring us together. she wanted us all to just be friends. the real kind. i wanted her to fail. i want her to succeed.

do you see why i love sundays? it's the one day i have the option to put away the world and let the higher take control. it is an option. i would like to chose to more often.

this was all brought on because thursday my friend texted me: do you want to volunteer at the mtc? ummmm, do pigs fly? hello- Yes. so i went. and i felt. you see that feeling part is what i shy away from. i don't like to expose myself, so i have built up walls that seem reinforced with steel insecurities and self doubt. and when i feel, those wall have to come down. vulnerability up. ouch. but see missionaries have to feel. they have to breath, eat- if only once a day- Study the good word, and Feel. feel love. feel compassion. feel love. feel hurt. feel love. feel happy. feel love. and these 19-year-old kiddos who were born almost in the decade 1990 -yikes- reminded me how to feel. they testified of a young boy much like them, who one day went to the woods to pray. who felt confused. who felt like he lacked wisdom and would ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not. then he felt attacked. he felt like he was going to abandon himself to a real evil, a force from the unseen world. then. he felt light. he felt truth. he felt intimacy with the Almighty. he felt. they felt. i felt. i remembered what i felt for almost 19 months as i taught people about this same boy. what i felt as i testified, because i knew, and i know. what i felt when i saw people change their lives. what i felt as people came to know an inner and eternal worth they never imagined. what i felt when i loved people i didn't know, because i was representing the Savior, i was authorized to feel as He feels. sometimes it hurts. he feels pain. so does Abba, Father. i felt that to have a fullness of joy does not imply an absence of pain. its a deeper pain than i knew existed. the kind that breaks your heart into a million pieces and you don't know if it will ever be whole again. but the point is i felt. i felt. i want to feel. and this scares me. but that's a step in the right direction right? i feel scared. so when these three kids taught with the spirit, and bore witness of truth something within me awakened. something i let die in the short three months i've been back. as it died, my inner peace died as well. it's back. it's all back. and i want it to stay.

so, this is me. i am a spiritual sucker. i love it. i yearn for it. i need it. i feel it. and as long as i am feeling the spirit i am feeling, and that is a good feeling. so i may listen to a lil more MoTab now. i may bust out my Livro de Mormon on campus and proudly read and highlight- even cry if necessary (Alma 14 always gets me). i may try to bring up Joseph or Jesus in normal conversations, find a way to reference a recent, or not-so-recent, conference talk as we are talking about who knows what. because if i don't that thing will die. that can't happen. it hurts not feeling. so this is me. i won't hide me anymore. i won't try to be what i think other people want me to be. or what i wish i was. i will do me. the Lord's me- which is way better than i thought i ever was or could be. the me i discovered in a beach side community in brasil, that followed me to the big city, sent me to the interior, and led me back to itself, that beach in Caraguatatuba. because that me feels. feels happy. feels complete. feels loved. feels love. feels peace. feels responsibility. feels joy. feels sorrow. i think that is the point. that me feels.

how was your sunday?

the sister reunited

2008-07-28T22:13:00.000-07:00

few people are so lucky as i am... to have sisters by blood and sisters by choice! well, i have a sister that is about nothing like me, and still we haven't fought since the sixth grade. at least not that i can remember. when i moved from oregon to utah before my junior year of high school, she bought us a notebook that we sent back and forth writing about our lives and families. then when i moved back to oregon for my senior year i lived with her amazing family. i love this girl with all my heart, and am SO SO SO glad she is a flight attendant so she has lay-overs in salt lake city! yay for spending the evening with my madisn lyn cheek in her red lion hotel room! here are some pics that captured the night.

what can i say, she was reallllllly reallllllly glad to see me- we hadn't seen each other in over four years, but time never makes a difference in sisterly bonds. when i walked in her room she jumped up and down and hugged me and wouldn't let me go. i love it like i love her!

at the end of the night, she said she wasn't kicking me out, just putting my shoes right by my purse and leaving! i didn't want to say goodbye, but it was amazing to spend a night catching up with my sister and feeling like it hdan't been more than 4 days! love you madison lyn!

my first wedding!

2008-07-27T21:45:00.001-07:00

okay, so it wasn't MY wedding per say, but it was the first wedding i attended in the temple- so it was definitely memorable! Pri and Su had invited me down to St. George about 3 times and i always said no, until they said it was for Juliana Cavalcante's wedding- a girl from a city i served in on my mission- then i e-mailed my professor, got a presentation changed since i was gonna miss class, and headed out for this beauuuuuuuuuuuuuutiful destination!!! the wedding was amazing! the ceremony so simple, the promises so celestial! i thought to myself: man, i want one of these one day! any takers?!?!? hahahahaha

we got to sao jorge a lil early, so we had time to kill and buns burning from sitting in the car, so we decided to walk around the outlet stores, and look at the trouble that got us into! su and pri really showed off their maturity when they grabbed these swords and starting fighting!

all that sword fighting got us hungry so we stopped off at mongolian grill for some lunch! this place is sooooooooo so so so good. you get to fill up a bowl with whatever ingredients you want- veggies, meat, noodles, and then season it with your own sauce creation and then watch it grilled in front of your eyes. yummers! we were all pleased! in this picture is Suellen, another girl from Sao Paulo who is studying out here at BYU.

so it was the hottest recorded day in Utah this year, so needless to say we were melting. i just feel bad for the bride and groom- look at them in the background with all those clothes on! yiiiiiiiiiiikes.

at the reception i ran into my friend and CTM (MTC in sampa) companion Sister Sara Faust. We live 40 minutes from each other, and saw one another for the first time in almost three months in st. george of all places! but she looks GREAT and it was SO SO SO good to see her! gotta love the wedding/mission reunions!

at the end of the trip we spent the night in Mesquite at Su's mission president's home- such a loving family! they welcomed us into their home with open arms, the wife, Sister Mack, lent us marvelous one-piece swimsuits to wear in the pool (i've never felt sexier!) and fed us til it hurt! we woke up early saturday morning to drive back and get to life's responsibilities, and i remembered why i love the winter when i walked outside at 4:30 in the morning and it was HOT! what? are you kidding? that made the drive home without AC even that much more enjoyable. YIKES! let's just say a shower was the first item of business upon arriving home!

Happy Fourth Already!

2008-07-27T21:30:00.000-07:00

So i think its time i gave the fourth of july some blog-time! i have been super blog-lame lately, and now i will make it up to you, i promise! so on the fourth i met up with my girls and we watched the fireworks looking up from our backs. It was quite the show i must admit. One of my friends said something on her blog that resonated with me and I haven't stopped thinking about it- she said she feels patriotism somewhat like she feels the spirit. I thought it was an appropriate analogy. I feel patriotism where gratitude and pride collide, where hope and optimism and a sense of belonging reside. It's where the true you feels what it should. I will always be grateful to call this country home, a place where the history is traced with the hand of the Lord in its creation and preservation. It breeds a sense of duty, of honor, and mostly of humble thankfulness. It touches me to say, in light of all the great men and women who made this possible, that i am AMERICAN!

the show

after the show

Broseph

2008-07-02T23:41:00.000-07:00

This is a shout out to a great friend who can always make me laugh! This beautiful young fellow is my brother Taylor, and though we look nothing alike, we have walked similar paths our whole lives... that is until the Lord decided to trust Tay with a burden I would be too weak to bear. I love him and respect him more than ever, and know that the miracle is coming! Don't we look great in our new gap shirts that cost less then $15? okay- well he was the big spender ringing in at $13 and i bargained for this $2 number. both well worn if i do say so myself!

2008-07-01T15:14:00.000-07:00

So for one of my classes this semester, Comms 412- Public Policy- we are doing a mock negotiation about banning plastic bags. Now, those of you who know my green roots seeped in a northwestern upbringing know that i jumped at the chance to ban the (plastic) bag for the CLEARLY more environmental paper option.... and then i started studying! I always thought there was a correct answer to the question "paper or plastic" and now i'm not so sure. isn't there a better alternative?

YES! goooooooooooooooooooo reusable. here are 25 reasons to use reusable grocery bags!

25 reasons to go reusable

· 1 A plastic shopping bag can take anywhere from 15 to 1000 years to decompose. In a compressed landfill, deprived of atmosphere to help them biodegrade, paper bags don't fare much better.

· 2 Plastic bags don't biodegrade, but are at risk for photo degradation, light exposure dissolving them into toxic polymer particles. Most often, when this happens, it happens in the ocean.

· 3 The cost to recycle plastic bags so outweighs their value that most recycling facilities will not take them, leading more and more to just be thrown out with the rest of the trash.

· 4 According to the Wall Street Journal, only 1% of plastic bags are recycled world-wide; the rest are left to live on indefinitely in landfills.

· 5 The United States alone uses approximately 100 billion new plastic bags per year - the average person goes through between 350 and 500.

· 6 Thanks to their light weight, plastic bags are the debris most likely to fly away from landfills, settling instead in trees, storm drains, beaches, and the ocean.

· 7 Public agencies in California alone spend over $300 million on coastal litter clean-up per year.

· 8 Plastic bags make up over 10% of washed-up debris polluting the US coastline.

· 9 According to the British Antarctic Survey, discarded plastic bags have been found as far north as the Arctic Circle and as far south as The Falkland Islands.

· 10 An estimated one million birds and 100,000 turtles and other sea animals die of starvation each year after ingesting discarded plastic bags which block their digestive tracks.

· 11 Made from petroleum products and natural gas, plastic bags utilize nonrenewable resources, ultimately helping to drive up fuel prices.

· 12 It takes 12 million barrels of oil to produce the amount of plastic bags the US uses per year.

· 13 Think paper bags are better? The United States cuts down 14 million trees per year simply to supply the demand for paper shopping bags.

· 14 It requires 13% more energy to produce one single paper bag than to produce two plastic bags.

· 15 Made with chemicals processed at high temperatures, paper bag production releases many toxins into the atmosphere at much the same rate as plastic production.

· 16 Paper bags weigh nearly ten times their counterparts in plastic, requiring more fuel to ship them out to stores.

· 17 Despite their high recyclability factor, research shows that only 20% of paper bags end up recycled while the rest share a fate with their plastic brethrens.

· 18 In landfills, paper bags produce over twice as much atmospheric waste as plastic, making them questionable at best as the superior choice for the environment.

· 19 Ireland, the first European country to impose a tax on them, has decreased plastic shopping bag consumption by 90% since 2002, reducing overall plastic bag usage by 1.08 billion.

· 20 In the past five years, over a dozen countries have banned or put a tax on disposable bags.

· 21 Reusable bags come in all sorts of smart and stylish shapes and prints, making your shopping trips a little less routine and a little more fun.

· 22 Some grocery stores even offer discounts for customers who bring their own bags - now that's incentive!

· 23 In New York City, one less grocery bag per person would reduce waste by 5 million pounds and save $250,000 in disposal costs.

· 24 The average reusable bag has the lifespan of over seven hundred disposable plastic bags.

· 25 Over a lifetime, use of reusable bags by just one person would save over 22,000 plastic bags. Isn't that even better incentive?

2008-07-01T14:59:00.000-07:00

Last week, on June 26th 2008 I loved the opportunity I had to go to the wedding reception of my mission president's daughter Leda. I did my best to turn the wedding into a mission reunion, and these four elders were all I could talk into going, but it was worth every minute. Sister Wilkins got permission to fly in for the wedding and when she saw us in line she began jumping up and down with eyes full of tears saying, "my missionaries are here, my missionaries are here!" It was a great reunion! The only time Leda went teaching in the three months she spent visiting the mission was with my companion, sister, best friend, soul mate Sister Freitas and me. She taught without fear and bore testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ in what seemed fluent Portuguese for those precious moments. I loved her enthusiasm. I was a sheer pleasure and joy to walk alongside her in the streets of Caraguatatuba Brasil.
I am also proud to have played a part a very important first for Leda.... no not the first day as a married woman, but rather the first time she indulged in the sheer bliss that is acai! When we met back up with President and Sister Wilkins after teaching, she sweetly asked for her reward of acai, and Sister Wilkins responded with an easy yes! And as President says, "hmmmmm, acai tem gosto de chocolate!"
Because of said teaching experience, Leda calls me and Sister Freitas her trainers. On my last night on the mission me and Sister Faust were getting ready for bed in President's apt. and Sister Wilkins was talking to Leda on the phone doing some wedding planning. When I heard that phone on the other end of the phone I asked Sister Wilkins to tell Leda I said hi, to which Leda responded to Dave (the lucky groom pictured here) "my trainer is there, Dave, my trainer is there!" Let me tell you what, it isn't hard to train a Wilkins! Love you both!

a lil bit of style

2008-06-14T10:15:00.001-07:00

since i met this little wonder in the airport, it has been a full on love affair. i find myself doing anything i can to make her laugh! this week she sported my not-so-small sunglasses and pulled them off well. i couldn't resist!

our day in pictures

2008-06-12T14:45:00.001-07:00

an old friend

2008-06-12T13:59:00.000-07:00

yesterday i had the pleasure of spending the day with my first college girlfriend... the miss katy lyn gush and future mrs. pendleton. we met freshman year and created a real and lasting friendship. we spent the day at gateway... YIKES.... and at temple square. we were determined to get our parking paid for- hence the necessary array of bags! when we were in the gap store at gateway we played a game.... katy had to guess what colors of a certain shirt i own... i am pleased to report that she only guessed one amiss! i knew she knew me, but that one took the cake! i truly am blessed to have met such great friends at BYU, a true lasting treasure from higher education!

its been hard

2008-06-05T22:30:00.000-07:00

entao- essa fami'lia tem grande importancia na minha vida! e' bem provavel q essas foram as primeiras pessoas no brasil quem eu amava.... e o amor e' eterno! eles me ensinaram lutar pelo q e' certo, sorrir nas dificuldades, chorar quando for necessario e sempre agarrar o evangelho. sou uma pessoa melhor por ter conhecido pessoas assim, e meu coracao doi por estar tao longe delas.

TRANSLATION: so this family is super important in my life. they were probably the first people i loved in brasil, and that love is eternal! they taughtme to fight for what is right, smile through the trials, cry when neccessary and always grab hold to the gospel. i am a better person for having met people like them, and my heart aches now that i am far away

2008-06-05T22:06:00.000-07:00

So- Heidi Palmer did me in.... I started a blog. I have often thought that my life has nothing blog-worthy about it. But maybe in the mundane search for myown place in the now non-brasilian universe this can help me find the simple pleasures in life and stop to appreciate the many blessings i do have.