Life is a Bugs Life

We went to Florida and successfully went to the beach 6 out of 9 days. It was wonderful. We rode bikes on an island, ate lots of sea food, met up with old friends and went parasailing. And I didn't get burned once. Reapplying 70+ sunscreen every half hour really works!

It was so great to see old friends too. I didn't get to see everyone that I wanted to, but I did spend quality time with Alissa, Melissa, Nate and Aimee and my new friend Rachael. . . and of course the Amy that went with me. We are really good vacation buddies. I have decided I love pandora, also that my nokia phone is virtually indestructible. I also learned that kids really do say the craziest things, Ava kept me super entertained. Life is a highway and I want to ride it all night long.

Here is our trip in pictures:








And yes I do realize my glasses are huge. I like them that way. The more this pale face is covered, the better. Vacation rules.

Insomnia in Florida

I'm here! It's wonderful! The sun, beach and good company seemed to be exactly what I needed and exactly when I needed it. We went to the beach nearly all day. The sand and the sound of the ocean seemed to calm my soul. I applied 70+ sun block on my entire body, since I learned a long time ago (the hard way) that beautifully bronzed skin just wasn't in my DNA- red painful soreness was more my fate. BUT NOT THIS TIME! As I sit here typing, I am relatively pain free. I somehow seemed to miss (with the sun screen) a small streak on my back which is throbbing, but all in all operation "don't get fried on day 2 of a 9 day Florida trip that would leave you miserable for the rest of the trip" was a success.

Tomorrow- Siesta Key Beach. So so beautiful. I intend on lounging and reading and talking and swimming and loving every minute of it.

***One of my favorite things- friends that are just friends- no matter how far away they live or how long it's been since you've talked, just picking right up where you left off and it feeling as though you had seen them just yesterday. And there are still more of those friends to come!

Unfortunately my insomnia did not take a vacation, but at least I get to blog.

I will upload some pictures when I can.

Gosh I needed a vacation.

5/19/78

I'm faking.

Today is my birthday and so far it has been wonderful. Last night, my awesome friends threw me a birthday party. Full of BBQ and chips and brownies. We rigged a white sheet at the end of Maren's yard and used a projector to watch one of my all time favorite movies Superstar. It is so silly, but so awesome at the same time. Here are two of my favorite clips:



Erin and I were laughing so hard throughout, I am not sure the rest of the party was as appreciative. You probably need to watch it ten times to really get the humor. I love it.

Alyssa sent me this wonderful gem of a song, just for me on my special day. Listen to it all the way through. AMAZING(ly awful).

Also many friends bought me books, it was great! I am also told that more are on the way. I am so excited to read all these amazing books (especially the zombie one).



I was also given an amazing original art piece from my friend Matt. Peeps, googly eyes and blood- doesn't get much better than that. It definitely goes with the motif of my room, so that's an added bonus.



So my party was amazing, my birthday was amazing, my presents were amazing. I am pretty sure that this year is going to be amazing. All signs point that way. Here are some pictures from my party.







Birthday with the fam.

Book List

It's my birthday next week. Last year I had a whole wish list of things I wanted and many were fulfilled- a thoughtful surprise (Alissa) and a locket (Alyssa). This year, I want the gift of knowledge. If anyone is so inclined to purchase me a gift, I want your favorite book. I have this mission, a mission of having a totally awesome book collection. Not just to look at either, but to actually read. I am compiling a list of books I want to read in my life and I am gathering recommendations from all of the people I most respect and trust. This may include you. So please buy me your favorite book . . . or at least let me know what your favorite book is so that I can add it to my list.

Happy Birthday to me.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!

I love you Mommy.

PROOF!

So, I graduated. Well sorta. I walked around in my Hogwarts robes with a square hat and received a leather folder that will one day be filled with a very expensive piece of paper- oh and I got these too---------------------------------------->>>

Oh my family loves me.

Monday I start the last of it. I have two weeks of an eating disorder class and then one week in June where I take two classes all day. Differential Diagnosis and Adolescent self harm. So it should be an uplifting summer.

We've had some terrible news. Our Mexico cruise trip has been all messed up due to this crazy swine flu. They emailed me and said that they had rerouted us to Vancouver. Seriously???? Our beach trip was going to turn into a parka wearing, ice capades cruise (ok, so maybe not THAT bad, but definitely not the sunny beaches of Mexico). I am so furious, that I have banned all pork products and kick pigs whenever I can (which oddly enough, isn't very often). So we canceled the cruise. With no refund (jerks), but the intent to go at a later date. I am so bummed. I even bought two swim suits in preparation. Blast.There is a slight possibility that we will get on a cruise to Honduras or Belize, but I am not holding my breath.

Graduation was long and boring, but the result was great . . . relief. Now the real work begins. Finding a job is terrifying. I wish I could work where I did my practicum. I love loved it there. Adolescents and drug abuse, does it get much better than that?

Oh and guess what else? I am turning 31 in ten days. Wow. Where did the year go? I have been telling people I am 31 for the past month. Not sure why, I guess I am ready. One big change will be where I go to church, that has yet to be determined, but I think a family ward is going to be the best fit for me. I have a feeling it's going to be a great year. A party will soon be announced so keep your eyes and ears open for the news.

Here are some graduation picture highlights. ENJOY!!!



Doesn't my robe look unusually larger than everyone elses? Oh and I don't have a red thingy because I didn't want to pay an extra 20 bucks for a stole of gratitude. I felt incredibly ungrateful on the day though, so I probably should have just done it. Ah well.

MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE

Ok, or maybe just social work.

I want to blog. I really do. But I am pretty sure my brain is mush . . . literally, mush. I am surprised it hasn't started oozing out of my ears. I guess it is only a matter of time- so watch out. I don't feel like I can be clever or funny or even the least bit interesting so I have just stopped blogging. The 29th will be bring me much happiness and a needed break and hopefully my brain will start to solidify and I will be able to make sense of everything or maybe just ANYTHING again.

Things to look forward to on this blog.
1.Pictures my friend took of me for my graduation announcements.
2.More Sonja stories.
3.A report of what I will be doing this summer, including all my wacky adventures and my unwacky adventures (books I read)
4.Stuff

I know you're excited. So am I!

I'm Sorry

I know, I have been the world's most terrible blogger lately. I have just been insanely busy. It's the last few weeks of my final big semester in graduate school, my totally awesome Celtic band has been in the studio recording our first album (I am not even remotely joking) and I got sick- all at the same time. So I have pretty much been crazy this past month. I've been neglecting my friends and family and even myself . . . and it's starting to take it's toll.

But the weather is starting to brighten so subsequently my mood is starting to brighten.

Last week was Easter and I wanted to share with the world what my mother made me. Being that I am the single one with no family, my mom has a tendency to go a little overboard. Worried that I might become suicidal or something if I don't celebrate. My mom made me this Easter basket.




. . . and yes, there are two stuffed bunnies- one, "you can hang on your door". It's really thoughtful, but she chose the most terrible Easter candy imaginable. Peeps, malted eggs, blow pops, sour gum. . . seriously awful. She also chose the mesh tulle covering the basket because she wanted it to be something I could "use later". Hmmm, she is so funny.

Just an added thing. I was talking to her today on the phone and here are three quotes, directly from the horse's mouth.

"I will not add water to her fire"
"She will cut her own goose"
"She is as crazy as a bed bug"

She was obviously frustrated with whoever she was talking about, but I couldn't stop laughing.

Pray for my mom, she was in the hospital and super sick yesterday, she is doing better today- but I worry.

As far as everything else. I am finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. I will have to find a job soon, which is terrifying, but I am ready to not be poor anymore and to be a grownup again and write on my blog more.

Tonight You Calm My Restlessness . . .

Tonight Aliah and I spent the good part of 3am looking up old songs from our past. I remember trying to fall asleep when I was a small girl, listening to my old clock radio as the numbers would flip over. There were many songs that lulled me to sleep- Groovy Kind of Love, Islands in the Stream and even Janet Jackson singing Let's Wait a While. The mix we have come up with will do nothing less than put me in tears and I love it. But the all time favorite memory is this one:



I LOVED this song. I cried many a night to this song. My elementary school heart just couldn't handle it.

We want to buy the song, just this song, but have been unable to find a way to do so. The person who helps me get this song, so that I can play it on my ipod on eternal repeat, will get a very special slow dance. Believe me, it will be well worth all your efforts (even if you're a girl).

Or I could just do my ballet dance moves as you gaze at me through the window. You choose.