25 things you now know about me

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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.