Meet my BFFs: Elise

Jason and Elise

Hawaii June 2009

Today's Elise's birthday!  Boy did I luck out in the sister-in-law department (I guess maybe it has something to do with having awesome brothers with great taste?)  Elise has been a part of our family for three and a half years but even before it was "official" she felt like a sister.  My favorite memories with Elise are when she and Jason were dating and I'd come to Provo and stay with her and after Jason would go home we'd stay up talking and laughing.  I can always count on Elise to never get sick of my lengthy stories, and in fact she encourages them, especially dating stories.  

One of my absolute favorite things about Elise is I can always catch her eye when we're in a group setting and something happens that's awkward, weird, or just one of those "yikes" moments.  Every time, without fail.  Even when I don't think about it, our eyes just catch, and depending on the situation, we either laugh, shake our heads, or both our eyes just get huge.  Maybe you have to experience it, but it's a connection we always have.

I can also always feel confident that I can text Elise with any little gripe and she'll totally understand, whether it's when I'm sitting in the chapel and it's ten minutes after and we still haven't started, or telling her about something totally tacky someone said.  She just gets it.

I have to say, when reading Elise's interview she answered (for the most part) in ways I could have guessed.  I was surprised a couple times, but her answers reminded me why I love her so much.  With Elise, I always know what I'm going to get.  There's nothing too unpredictable.  She is stable, dependable, organized, and just, well, together.  What you see is what you get.

Lastly, I love love love that, just like Nadia is for Brad, Elise is absolutely perfect for Jason.  I used to think that Jason changed so much (in a good way) when Elise came into his life, but now I realize he didn't change at all, he just became a more complete and better version of himself.  The longer they are married the more in love I see they are, and really it's just pretty inspiring.  (If you don't believe how in love they are, just check Jason's facebook status today.) :)

Anyways, happy birthday Elise!  I love you! 

What do you do?

I am a teacher.  High school.  United States & World History.  Everyone asks me if it is scary.  It isn't.  The kids are really good & I actually love it a lot.

(Elise has some pretty awesome stories as well.)

Describe your perfect day.

Sleep in (this means until like 7am.)  Start off with a massage, mani & pedi.  Go to the beach (with Jason) for a few hours with a good book (or Us Weekly) in one hand & a huge fountain Diet Coke in the other.  Go shopping (alone) for a few hours with no budget.  Go to dinner with Jason at Ruth's Chris.

(I'm with you on shopping alone.  Love it.)

If I could give you front row tickets to any concert, what would you pick?

Coldplay.  I have wanted to see them for years & years.  But you're off the hook because I'm going tomorrow.

If you only have time to watch one tv show a week, which would you choose?

Law & Order.  The original.  No Criminal Intent.  No SVU.  Give me Jack McCoy.  All time favorite TV show.

What's something people would be surprised to know about you?

I don't like group settings.  I would much rather hang out with one or two friends than in a group of 3-4+.  I tend to get shy & quiet when I am in big groups.

When you've had a really bad day what makes you feel better?

Taking a long nap on the couch & getting frozen yogurt.

If I gave you $100,000 with the stipulation that you couldn't save it or invest it, and had to spend it within a week, what would you do with it?

I don't need a week.  I could spend it in a day!  First, buy Jason a car.  Second, buy a new car for myself.  And if there is any left over, I'd buy some combination of clothes & shoes.

(Oh!  What kind of cars??)

What beauty product can you not live without?

Mascara.

What's one of your guiltiest pleasures?

Keeping Up With the Kardashians.

(Okay I SO did not know this!  I love that show!  So dumb but I think they are seriously so funny!)

If you could change one thing about the male race what would it be?

Hmmmm.  This is tough.  My exposure to males that I know really well is limited & I hate to make stereotypes, but I'd have to say that sometimes girls just want to vent & don't want advice or want their problems solve.

(So true.  I think every female agrees with you.)

You've been married for three and a half years.  Is there anything that still surprises you?  Or would you say you and Jason are perfectly predictable?

I don't know if I would say perfectly predictable, because you never know.  But we do mesh & know each other really well, so surprises are few and far between.

What's your favorite comfort food?

Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup.

What is one trend you just never quite understood?

Those oxford booties that were popular a couple falls ago.  Hideous.  Oh.  I saw a pair of Tory Burch jelly shoes today at the mall.  If that catches on, I'm pretty sure that will be the winner.

(I don't care what you say, I love those oxford booties!  :))

What's one of your favorite things about living in San Diego?

The weather.  And being close to our family.

What book are you currently reading?

In the Time of the Butterflies.  I just started it...only about 8 pages in.

What is a piece of modern technology that you could not live without?

Google.

Where is the most beautiful place you've ever been?

Grand Cayman.

What book should be required reading for every American?

Well, it isn't a book, but The Declaration of Independence.

You've got two roundtrip tickets anywhere in the world.  Where do you go and who do you take?

I'd take Jason.  Can I pick 3 places?  Okay, good.  For the history lover in me-Paris.  For the adventurer in me-Machu Picchu.  For the I just want to lay on the beach in the sun part of me-Phuket, Thailand.

(Those three are totally on my list as well.)

What three material possessions do you value most?

My wedding ring (because of the sentimental value), my computer (all the pictures), and my bed-our mattress & sheets are heavenly.

(A girl after my own heart.  A heavenly mattress and sheets are a must.)

What are you looking forward to?

The next 5 years.

What are three things on your "bucket list"?

1. See the above travel question.

2. Run a marathon.

3. Add more items to my bucket list.  (I really can't think of anything that I just have to do!)

Who is someone who has changed or shaped your life for the better?

I'm going to go with the easy answers here, only because they are so true.  My parents & my husband.

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Your mom is totally right when she tells you to enjoy eating carne asada fries for lunch every day while you can.  Someday (read 21) you won't metabolize them and they will go straight to your hips & love handles and you will hate going to the gym.

(That Leslie, she is one smart woman!)

What do you know to be absolutely positively true?

Complaining & worrying about little things are a waste of time.  Enjoy life.  Be grateful for what you have, spend time with people you love, & laugh.