Australia: Day 1, Brisbane

How do you even being to summarize two weeks of vacation Down Under and 750 photos?  Not to mention I haven't even gotten Karen's photos yet.  I guess I have a lot of long posts to look forward to.  Sorry if they're too long...I'm going to do my best to get all the important details down (you know the drill, for my own record keeping) and hopefully I won't bore you too much.

Waiting to board at LAX.  I had a whole row to myself, and between that, the Ambien, and the midnight takeoff I slept all but two hours.  Amazing.

First view of Australia.  Can you see the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House?

After arriving in Sydney Karen and I met up to fly to Brisbane.  Upon arrival we picked up our rental car.  On day one I had to drive in the right side of the car on the left side of the road.  Surprisingly, it wasn't as crazy as I'd anticipated.  The most complicated thing to remember was the windshield wipers and blinker were switched, so I kept turning on the wipers when I turned.  Pulling out into traffic and turning was also intimidating.  Luckily I had Karen to remind me, Keep left!

We went straight to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.  This was the only day it rained, but as you can see by our faces, we didn't care.  We were so excited just to be in Australia!

The koalas were SO CUTE, even cuter than they look in the pictures.  (By the way, pictures do not even come CLOSE to doing justice to any of the beauty that is Australia.)

This is how they sleep!  How cute!!

If only it were so easy...

Me and Axel.  FYI, I look pretty nasty in pretty much every photo taken.  90% of the time I didn't wear makeup, and when I did it was just mascara.

This guy was so cute and cuddly.  His fur was so soft, and he was actually much heavier than I'd anticipated!  Not to mention his claws were digging into my shoulders!

These kangas were just hanging out in this field.  You could just walk right up to them and pet them!

We decided they look like overgrown rats.

A Tasmanian Devil.  Not the greatest photo, but it was the best I could get in the rain.

Another koala sleeping.  (All they do is eat eucalyptus and get stoned, and sleep.)  So many were sleeping between branches like this-doesn't look very comfortable.

Freya and Nathan!!  I was beyond ecstatic to see Freya and meet Nathan.  Freya and I lived together for three semesters at BYU-I and she was one of my favorite roommates.  She and Nathan got married about six weeks ago, however after meeting them it seemed like they'd been together forever.

They were beyond hospitable, letting us stay with them our first night and another night halfway through our trip, cooking for us, letting us do laundry, etc.  And by cooking for us, I don't mean throwing a frozen meal in the oven.  Freya made pancakes (from scratch!) at 10pm!  Most of all, it was just great to sit around the table and chat.  I was loving the diversity at the table, with Karen being Canadian, Freya being Australian, Nathan being South African, and of course me being American.

Happy

This morning I walked out of my apartment at 7:30am to a beautiful 70 degree morning.  I was in capris and short sleeves and no jacket.  As I got off the subway and walked towards Bryant Park I was listening to Coldplay and just feeling happy to be back to my life and routine, and beyond thrilled to have such gorgeous weather.  When I reached the park I was greeted by one of my favorite things about spring in New York-the tulips!

I've missed you New York.

Sunset in the Outback

More to come.

I'm back.

Well the trip has come and gone, and I'm now wide awake at 7:12am in California. I sort of thought I might be lucky and not be jetlag when I was watching SVU last night and could hardly keep my eyes open for the ending at 1am. When I woke up around 5am I realized I was sadly mistaken.
The trip was incredible, and incredibly exhausting. By the time we reached Sydney I hardly had motivation to see much. I don't know what we could have done differently, however, as we only had two weeks and I don't know what I would have cut out of the trip so......no regrets and I'd do it again.
Now I'm left feeling sleep deprived, dreading going back to work, and nursing a few injuries. I think I have a sliver in my finger, but can't be sure. I also have a bruised heel, from when I jumped off a ledge on the sail boat and landed on this weird corner on the floor (only to twist my ankle and fall in front of everyone.) My ego was bruised but has since recovered, however my heel hasn't. That was a week ago and I'm still limping.
What's most painful, however, is my neck. I actually slept really well pretty much every night over there, however after my last night I woke up with a pretty stiff neck. I didn't think much of it, that happens, you know? As the day wore on it loosened up a bit. However, that night I hopped on my plane to head back to the States and slept most of the way (thank you Ambien) but woke up with a lot of pain. After last night's sleep the pain is unreal. I would say I've got about 25% of my side to side movement. Owie. It sort of feels like something a little more serious that just a stiff neck but we'll see. I just popped three Advil and I'm hoping a hot shower might loosen it up.
All it all the trip was amazing and I highly recommend everyone see Australia at some point. I have a bazillion photos, so when I get back to New York and have time to sort through them expect some lengthy posts.
Until then, g'day!!

I take it back...

Lake McKenzie is the second most beautiful place I've seen. The first is Whitehaven Beach. Un-freakin-real. Sailing was awesome. Hit up the Outback for 24 hours. So gorgeous but way too many flies.
I'm in Melbourne till Friday and then it's off to Sydney to finish the trip. Can't believe I only have three more days. It's flown by, but I also feel like I haven't been in NY in ages. On one hand I don't want to leave, but on the other hand, I've missed New York since I left. Funny how that happens.
Melbourne seems like an amazing city, I'm excited to check it out tomorrow (just arrived tonight.)
Yes, I've taken a MILLION pictures, so expect to see a LOT of posts with a LOT of pictures. Maybe my favorite (okay I have a million favorites) part of the trip so far was scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef. Amazing. Honestly amazing. I even saw a little Nemo peeking out of his little home. They're very shy fish so he was a little scared. I got to touch the little plant he lives in which is a little freaky. It immediately suctions to your fingers.
Anyway, I'm rambling. Gotta go to bed, so tired.
G'day.

From a hostel in Airlie Beach

Real quick....Australia is amazing. So beautiful and everyone is SO NICE it's unreal. I've met a lot of cool people and have been running pretty nonstop. I've got a little time to kill before hopping on a sail boat for the next three days in the Whitsundays, which includes the Great Barrier Reef. I'm pretty stoked.
Just finished a two day tour on Fraser Island. Awesome. Wikipedia Lake McKenzie, it's maybe the most beautiful place I've ever been.
Love you all!

Leavin on a jet plane...

...don't know when I'll be back again! Okay, I do. April 27, but still, I'd like to think I won't be back for longer.
I can't believe today is the big day!! I've wanted to blog all week but haven't because I've been super busy trying to get ready for the trip, and also my internet was even less dependable than usual.
I got into LA last night after some drama at JFK. Ugh. Have I mentioned I hate flying? I've got 10 flights left before I'm back in New York so hopefully there's nothing too crazy along the way.
Anyway, my friend Melissa was a doll and picked me up after some last minute changes this week. My parents were out of town and my other plans fell through.
It was great to catch up with M&M and eat at one of my favorite places, BJ's. Mmmmmm. Maybe the best part was the skateboarding competition that had on tv that was taking place in Sydney. The guys were in shorts and no shirts. Can't WAIT for that weather!!
I got to my parents' and passed out pretty quickly. I'd been up till 3:30am the night before doing the last minute packing.
This morning I'm running for a quick haircut and then my sister's coming up with the kids. Yay!! My parents will be back some time this afternoon and then tonight it's back to LAX to head to Sydney. Woooohooo!!! Sort of dreading the flight but oh well, it will be worth it!
Anyway, gotta run. Enjoy Easter for me! I'll miss it completely as I'll be crossing the international date line (is that what it's called?) and basically skipping over Sunday completely. Weird.

3 Nephi 14

Yes, I fell off the wagon for a little while, but I got back on a little bit ago.  I just haven't blogged about reading because I hated admitting that I fell so far from my goal to finish the Book of Mormon by the end of the year.  But, we all do it right?  The good news is I'm back on.  Who's with me?

I'm really loving 3 Nephi, and tonight I read a great chapter.  I was getting ready for bed thinking, I could really use some inspiration tonight.  And inspiration I got.  I knew I was in for a treat when I saw that I have the entire chapter highlighted.  So much of what I read stuck out to me.

In verse 6 when Christ tells us:

Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

I added the bold.  How great are those words?  I'm pretty sure this definitely was not meant to be taken in the way I read it tonight, however after some great discussions with one of my favorite girls today it reminded me to not date below my standards.  I've dated some pretty awesome guys, and some pretty awesome guys who for whatever reason behave in some pretty not so awesome ways.  Looking back I noticed a pattern of something very important that every guy I've dated in the last few years has lacked.  I am really focusing on keeping what I need most in a relationship, and keeping my priorities in tact.

In verses 7 and 8 we're told:

Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.

It's unreal how simple some things are that I hope and wish for, but never seem to take to the Lord.  I'm always thinking of the bigger things-job, health, family, etc.  I really need to remember to take other things to the Lord.  How amazing is it that He never tires of hearing from us?  How truly wonderful that He wants to hear all our daily problems and thoughts, even if it's something as simple as "I feel like I need more friends."

Again, in verses 15-18, 20:

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Ye shall know them by their fruits.  Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them.

I'm not calling guys I know false prophets.  Not at all.  This just reminded me of an email Jason sent to me while he was on his mission.  I was a very young 18 year old freshman in college and he warned me to look out for the "wolves in sheep's clothing" who might want to date me.  I had no idea how many of them there were.  (Disclaimer.....I'm not man-hating, and don't think all guys are jerks.  SWEAR!  I've just had my eyes opened over the last few years.  I'm not holding them entirely accountable.  I'm responsible as well.  We teach people how to treat us, therefore I'm working on becoming a better teacher.)  I'm reminding myself about a conversation I had with a good friend Russ in college, who taught me about the ways to be able to feel out guys.  I was so worried of being deceived, but there really are red flags that are sometimes ignored.  On that same thought, I'm also working on becoming a person that doesn't have those red flags as well.  

Finally, in 24-27:

Therefore, whoso heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock-

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock.

And every one that heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them not shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand-

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell, and great was the fall of it.

Such powerful words here.  I want to build upon the Rock that is the Savior Jesus Christ, because the winds and rain do come.  Sometimes they don't stop for days, and it's so difficult to keep my house up when it's built on the sand.  I can still hear the scripture mastery in my head from high school, "Build upon the Rock or fail."  So true.

Wifey's trip to NYC

I can't believe how long it's been since Shantay came out to visit.  It was the end of February and so cold, but of course we still had so much fun, like we alway do, no matter what we're doing.

Shantay flew out on a Thursday, and that night we went to dinner and got some cupcakes from Magnolia's.  

After enjoying our cupcakes.  One of the sickest photos ever, but I had to include it because we hardly took any.

Friday included sleeping in, facials at TriBeCa Beauty Spa, dinner at Max Brenner, the ballet with Ashley, Heidi, Karli, and Maria, and then the UWS Shake Shack.

At Max Brenner before the ballet.

At the New York City Ballet.  We saw different scenes from four different ballets including Swan Lake, and three others I now can't remember the names of.  They were all so good!

Saturday was (freezing!) and filled with a walk through Central Park, shopping, and going to a comedy club.

Shantay was very excited about one of my favorite shoe stores.  They really do have great shoes!!

One of the best subway acts I've ever seen.  A guy on the drums, another on the piano, and two girls who took turns clogging.  They were really good.  I rarely give donations but I had to with this group.  Not to mention, how the heck do you get a piano down to the subway??

Sunday we went to church, headed to Times Square to check out what shows were at TKTS, had lunch at John's Pizzeria (one of the only restaurants I've been to that doesn't make you claustrophobic,) headed home for a nap, and then saw Shopaholic.  (I could write a whole blog post on my feelings on that movie.  I had my suspicions before I saw it, and then they were confirmed.)

In Times Square on another collllld day.

On Monday poor Shantay had the traveling day from hell.  New York had a "snow" day (it really didn't seem that bad to me but some of my friends had the day off work) so she ended up going back and forth to JFK three times, due to flights being canceled, and then not, etc etc.  It's a long story.  She ended up getting as far as Salt Lake by late Monday night and then home to Boise on Tuesday, poor thing.

Shantay's been to New York twice before, so she'd done all the touristy things, so it was really nice and fun to just be able to hang out pressure free.  Every night we stayed up talking until the wee hours, laughing until our sides hurt, gossiping, and also having deep and serious conversations.  The best of all worlds.

I had so so much fun!!  Thanks for coming Shantay!!!

No thanks.

Yeah, because I always let the illiterate puncture holes in my body.

Don't hate

Megan-2, Ryan 4 1/2

Maddie-10 months

but I think my nieces and nephew are possibly the cutest kids ever.

Thanks!

Dear readers, thanks for all the suggestions!

So here's where I am now....despite what Jason said I'd decided I would download a couple seasons of Arrested Development and Alias.  However, when I logged into itunes I found they only have the 4th and 5th seasons of Alias!  Lame!!  So I'm still trying to figure out what I'll watch instead.

Now for the book recommendations, I loved hearing all your thoughts.  I've actually read Eat Pray Love and The Shack.  Well, I read part of Eat Pray Love.  I couldn't put it down until the middle of Pray in India.  I got so bored with that section and quit reading.  I know, who am I?  Apparently a bad reader who doesn't finish books when I lose interest.  But I still love the suggestions because that's exactly the type of book I'm looking for.  As Kimmy put it, light like a beach read, but still a page turner.

I did think about getting a Kindle, and it would be really useful for this trip, however I really like to have books for a collection/library.  If it was more affordable I'd get one for the trip, but I can't really drop $300 just for this.  But good idea Janie!!  Also, I watched the first couple seasons of Desperate and loved it!  But quit watching the third season when I lost interest.

I also almost downloaded the app for the iPhone once a couple months ago, but I think reading a book would get a little strenuous on my phone.  Plus, I'm not taking my phone with me.

So where does this leave me for books?  Thanks to your suggestions, and a little research, I'm considering:

We Need to Talk about Kevin

The Glass Castle

Memory Keeper's Daughter

Three Weeks With My Brother

Firefly Lane

Has anybody read Firefly Lane?  I saw it was a best seller and it looks really good, but I just wondered if anyone had read it, or heard of anyone who'd read it.

Oh yeah, and you should know me better, KB, to know that Pillars of the Earth is WAY too big of a book for me.  Isn't that the one that's like 1000 pages??

Lastly, I'm so hesitant to even admit this because I know what I'll hear buuuut.......I've never picked up any of the Harry Potter books.  I never really had any desire, and then, like most things I don't care about that get a lot of hype, I turned anti.  I mean really, wizards and magic?  Eh.  Fantasy really doesn't do anything for me.  But there is a smidgen of intrigue only because I've had friends who said they were like me and then had to eat their words.  What I'm wondering is, is there anyone out there who didn't like these books???

And yes, Mom, I do know I still need to read Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man and Why Him, Why Her?  But relationship how-to books aren't what I'm looking for for this trip either.

(How are you supposed to take it when your mom sends you two relationship books, anyway?)

Complete!

Good morning

This mafia looking man walking these pink dogs was the first thing I saw as I left my building for work on Thursday.  Weird?  Yes.  Surprising in New York?  Not really.

Thank goodness for laundry day

I planned on doing my laundry Wednesday night, but instead I went to dinner with friends.  I planned on doing my laundry Thursday night, but instead I went shopping with a girlfriend.  This morning I tore apart my sock/underwear/nylons/misc drawer (you know the one) looking for a backup pair.  Just when I was about to resort to bikini bottoms I stumbled across a pair I'd forgotten I owned.  My most grandma-ish pair.  Yes!

It was a gorgeous day today, albeit a slow day at work, which means I left the office at 4:30pm.  I ran an errand and on my jacket-free walk to the subway I noticed a Pinkberry.  Yum!  Of course I had to stop.

I was walking along 14th Street, headed to the 2/3, thinking about what a perfect spring moment I was having, cup of froyo in one hand, spoon shoveling in the other, when whoosh!!  And up flies my dress.  I'd changed into comfier flats so I didn't think twice about walking over the grates that run above the subway I usually avoid when in heels.

I scrambled to pull the spoon outta my mouth, stick it into the cup, and use the one now free hand to push down my dress and I scampered off the grate.  I wasn't super successful.  Oh yeah, and it was 5:30, when everyone's leaving work and heading to the subway.

Thank goodness for laundry day.  Had it been any other day I wouldn't have been so...covered.

Dear (not so) Anonymous in Salt Lake City

You were up blog stalking early this morning!  Before I go off on how annoying it is when people leave "anonymous" comments, let me remind you, in this day and age, with all the tracking devises, do you really think anything is that "anonymous"?  Just fyi, so you don't leave too many other "anonymous" comments, thinking the blog owner won't have an idea of who you are.

Now really, was it necessary to mention to me that Obama won the popular vote and will be in office for the next for years?  I mean, come one, did I complain about his policies?  Have I whined about how the market has tumbled since he was elected (minus a one day rally on Monday)?  In that post did I even mention one thing that said I didn't vote for him or didn't agree with what he believes in?

NO!  So why are you leaving me a comment, as if I was complaining that I didn't like our new President?  For all you know I could have freaking voted for him.  If you go back and read the post, it's about how I'm sick of hearing about the Obama family so frequently.  I feel like there's other things in the world that can grace the covers of my magazines.  What I don't care about, is what kind of dog they're adopting, what Michelle is wearing, or where Sasha and Malia are going to school.  I don't care that the White House will be decorated in Pottery Barn or that Barack and Michelle are so in love.  He's a politician, not a celebrity (supposedly.)  I would feel the same way if it was McCain's face and family all over the magazines.  Regardless of the fact that I'm a republican, I have the right to get sick of hearing about the same topic over and over and over again.

Besides all this, most of that post was dedicated to my annoyance for Hollywood and their abuse of their public voice, not the Obama clan.

Lastly, this is my blog, and even if I did feel like blogging every day for the next four years about how I don't like our commander in chief, guess what?  I can do that.  And guess what else?  You don't even have to read it!!  So no, I'm not going to be "sour grapes" for the next four years, but in case I change my mind, do yourself a favor and quit reading my blog.  I went private a year ago because of "anonymous" commenters like yourself, please don't make me do it again.

What would you do?

As excited as I am for Australia, I'm seriously dreading the flights.  The good news is I'm flying on Virgin Australia so I'll have access to power outlets to recharge my iPod when I need to.

Including my flights from NY to LA and back, I'm looking at about 40 hours of flying time.  (And that's not even including the flights within Oz.)  Ugh.  I decided I'm going to download a season (or two, or three) of a tv show, and I want something that's going to be super entertaining, addictive and make me forget about the time as much as possible.  That being said, I'd love some suggestions.  The following are shows I'm considering:

• Arrested Development
• The Wire
• Damages
• Alias
• Entourage
• Mad Men
  

Other than a couple episodes of Alias I've never seen any of these shows, but have heard good things.  I'd love to hear any other recommendations, except for the following:

• CSI (I've watched all the Vegas episodes, and I'm not into Miami or New York)
• Prison Break (Loved the first two seasons, but became bored with the third)
• 24 (Obviously seen all the seasons, but wish I could find a show as addicting for this!)
• Felicity (Seen em...during recluse time after a breakup.  SUCH a great show.)
• Sex and the City (Obviously seen em a million times.)
• Lost (No desire)
• Smallville (No desire)
• Gossip Girl (Totally bugs)
• House (I CAN'T STAND Dr. House...so obnoxious)

Sitcoms like Friends or Seinfeld aren't really what I'm looking for either, as those shows are too light for what I'm looking for.

Also, I'm not just planning on watching tv and drugging up to get some sleep.  I want to read too.  I'll have some traveling time from city to city within Australia, and I'm not the kind to just pass out on a bus or a plane.  The thing with reading, however, is books take up space, and we're backpacking so space is limited.  Luckily (in this instance) I'm a slow reader.  I'm thinking I'll bring two books.  I want something really entertaining.  Like I can't put this book down addicting.  I'm currently reading The Mole People which is really interesting, but it doesn't really fit that description, so I might be leaving that one at home.

So I want anyone and everyone to please leave a comment with your advice!!!

Oh yeah, and no Twilight series.  Gag me.

Meet my BFFs: Aim Brow

Aimee and I met while we were living at the Ridge at BYUI in fall semester 2005. She lived above me and was one of those girls I saw all summer but never actually knew. All I could ever think was, "There's that gorgeous girl who's incredibly skinny, has amazing hair, and the best clothes." Little did I know we'd finally meet the first Sunday of fall semester and become instant BFFs over discussion of missionaries.

Aim rivals Mikey for my funniest friend.  You wouldn't really know it right away, as she can come off a little quiet at first, however once you get to know Aimee you quickly fall in love with her quick wit and random humor.

Even though Aimee and I were neighbors for only a year it seems like so much more.  We had the best times, and made so many memories over that year, and since then.  I could never choose my favorite (as I tried unsuccessfully to make her do, in the interview) because we've had so many amazing times.  I loved converting her to Gringo's and going for amazing gossip sessions, sharing ridiculous dating stories, talking on facebook in code, and discussing politics even though her super liberal views rarely have anything in common with my conservative beliefs.  We always find a way to disagree without having any contention.  We are able to learn so much from each other, and no matter how much time passes in between visits or phone calls, we always pick up right where we left off.  One of my favorite things is getting voicemails from Aimee.  Since we have a tough time getting in touch with each other frequently we've started leaving long voicemails for each other, catching each other up.  There's nothing like listening to a four minute voicemail from Aim.  I've saved many messages from her, and played them over and over, laughing every time.

I feel truly safe with Aimee Jo.  I can confide anything, and show her my truest self.  (Not to mention I can always count on her to make me feel justified in my spending splurges.)  :)  I can honestly say she might be my most supportive and nonjudgmental friend, especially when it comes to dating.  Aimee is a wonderful listener, and always there when I need her.  She's able to turn on her skills of therapy in a non threatening way, and I always feel like our conversations end with me feeling like I have so many answers I was looking for.

Aimee has such a huge heart, always looking to help out those less fortunate than her, and wanting to lift up her friends and acquaintances when they're down.  I love Aim so much, and am so blessed to have her in my life.

At Rigby Lake, most likely gossiping.

Where do you live?

Canyon Country, Ca...but as soon as I find an apartment in LA I will be moving (yay!)

What do you do for a living?

I am a Children's Social Worker for LA county.

What's your favorite thing you've done in New York?

Wow...it feels like I have so many but I've only been there twice!  Last year I went there on my birthday and that was pretty fun.  I ate at Chocolate by the Bald Man (in my track suit because my luggage was lost!)  It was amazing.  Great food, great company.  :)

What would you do if you randomly had the day off work?

This happens to me sometimes (when I call in sick ;) and I lay by the pool and read.

Living in LA on a budget is tough; what's something on which you're willing to splurge?

Pedicures, spray tan in the winter, and Mac makeup.  And shoes and handbags.  Okay I like to splurge.  That is why I'm still driving the same little green car my dad bought me back in college.  Haha.  But I've turned over a new leaf in 2009!  Not only have I cut most of those things out (Mac makeup excluded) but I am now putting away for a car.  At the rate I'm going I just might have one by 2020!  (Just kidding.)

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

Hm...Radiohead or Beyonce...

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

Oprah and Biggest Loser are tied.  (Sorry ANTM.)

(Aim I have to say, I totally thought you'd go with ANTM.  And how did I not know we shared the same obsession for Biggest Loser???)

What makes for a perfect date?

A great make out...just kidding.  Um...doing something fun but not too cheesy, dinner at a great restaurant...and then followed by a hot make out on the beach (ok so I wasn't kidding.)

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

That I used to play water polo in high school.  I don't consider myself athletic.  Neither do my friends.

(I admit it, I'm totally surprised.  I thought you were just a hippie in high school.)

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

Chatting with a friend, or lighting some candles and watching Oprah on my chouch (half chair half couch.)  And of course shopping!

Who's your celebrity crush?

Pharrell Williams. So hot.

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

Well I would definitely say Rachel has.

(Likewise love.)

After the big haircut.  Aim came along to hold my hand, and was the best support.

What book are you currently reading?

Too many.  But the last one I started is called Thorn Birds.  I'm only two pages in.

What beauty product can you not live without?

ZOOMLASH

(A girl after my own heart.)

What's one trend that totally victimized you?

When we lived in Rexburg I think I fell victim to a lot of bad trends...I can't be held accountable for that portion of my life because the closest store we had to shop in was Wal Mart.  It was not my fault.

(I can promise you that Aim was always dressed to impress.)

What's your favorite comfort food?

Cupcakes.

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

Africa, and I'd take Oprah.  Just kidding, I have been saying for years that I want to go to Africa but recently I have really been wanting to visit China, and I think I'd take my favorite travel buddies, Rae Hoe, TonEva, Gordon, and Shantay.

(I'm in!!  Let's do Hong Kong or Africa 2010!!)

At the NBC store during our spring break trip to New York: 

Shantay, Aimee, Jordan, me, Toni.

What's your favorite memory of the two of us together?

OMG.  This is so hard, but if you had a gun to my head and you were making me choose I'd say...wow this is so hard.  Can I name a few???  Ok...since we were just talking about it this morning, late nights at Danny's, skinny dipping, NY, riding in Cinco after hot tubbing, trying on church outfits at night, riding around in Alfie around the Ridge being crime stoppers, spin the bottle at Joshua Tree, and...I remember actually right after we first met in the hall of the Benson during church in the 49th ward she came up to my apartment one night (I think she caught me trying on church outfits in the mirror that night too) and brought me a card after I had just broken up with my boyfriend.  Rae is the best at card giving, among other things.

(None of this is quite as scandalous as it sounds...Aim, my favorite time after hottubbing was the time a certain nameless someone accidently dropped the f-bomb while singing along with Kanye.  And I was never the one trying on Sunday outfits, haha.)

Aimee and I with BFF Chelse the night of the skinny dipping, for which Aim's been in trouble way too many times.

On top of the Empire State Building.

What three possessions do you value most?

I don't have anything that valuable...but I guess I would say my semi-new grey handbag because it's been a great staple item lately, my new county badge (it makes me feel so official and reminds me how happy I am to have my new job,) and I guess my GPS because I wasn't really using it until I got my new job and now I am glad I have it otherwise I would be completely lost in LA.

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

I would have told myself to avoid dating a few guys that I ended up dating!  What was I thinking!?

(Dodging bullets Aim, dodging bullets.  Besides, we'd be without SO many hilarious stories if you wouldn't have dated them!)

*Some questions stolen from Natalie.

Instincts

There's something wrong...You don't know what it is, but it's there, like a splinter in your mind, driving you mad."

-Morpheus in The Matrix

(Complete quote found on www.aroomofmamasown.com)

I've recently been made aware of the accuracy of my instincts.  It's sort of scary.  People talk a lot about how you need to trust your instincts.  Oprah frequently discusses "the moment" when you should have listened to your instincts when you had an uneasy feeling, just before something bad happened.

Instincts are a tricky thing because we second guess ourselves.  I wish I could get past the "psyching myself out" issue, and really only tune in to my instincts.  With the disaster that is Wall Street/the economy I've had a few times I was convinced I was going to lose my job in the next layoff.  Thankfully, I have yet to face that situation (knock on wood.)  I guess I chalk those moments up to nerves and anxiety.  

It's so difficult to distinguish between nerves and instincts.  Sort of similar to distinguishing between the Spirit and our own thoughts.  I've learned that, no matter what, if I have a thought, whether it's truly a prompting or just my own thought, if it's to do something for the good, to just follow it.  But where does that leave me with instincts?  Obviously if my instincts are telling me to make a decision that will keep me safe (like a few weeks ago when I got up and moved away from the creepy guy on the subway, even though I felt like a jerk by my obvious move) I will go with playing it safe.  But what about when it's looking after the safety of my heart?  It's not so cut and dry.  I could follow my instincts and protect myself, or I could be throwing something great out the window.

Due to a recent revelation of information I've discovered things in my life would have gone down a different road, had I listened to my gut and pursued action, and not let some things go.  It's so difficult to not be persuaded by rationality, and lack of evidence.

I've starting thinking in the future when in similar situations I will not just "let it go" when I've got that "splinter" in my mind.  (Gosh, is that a great description or what??)  But I'm scared.  Scared of going out on a limb and following my instincts to the unknown.  

Oveeerrrrrrrr iiiiiiiiiittttttt

I'm not trying to be a hater, but I'm just seriously over seeing the Obamas on the cover of half the magazines, every other issue.  I take two weekly mags and it's like at least once a week that I open the mailbox and see one of their faces looking back at me.  Can't we talk about something else?  Freak!

I've gotten really sick of the media anyways.  Ever since this year's Academy Awards I'm just really over the Hollywood idiots who used their voice to influence, when a lot of them are no more intelligent than some high school drop outs.  Not to mention how freaking liberal the media is.  I've gotten so sick of the way things are twisted to accomplish an agenda.  I seriously don't believe anything I read or hear anymore.  Everything is taken out of context.

I've really considered trying to boycott all media, but I really enjoy being able to participate in conversations about current events.  I really don't want to be that person that says, "Who's Bernie Madoff?"  Before I moved here I was so clueless and I don't ever want to be that way again.

Help

The amount of these that I can consume in one sitting is ridiculous.  It can't be healthy.

Finally

After working at Bryant Park for two years, and four Fashion Weeks, I finally saw someone good.  Blake and Penn.  Gorgeous.  Except her hair looked like she'd brushed it with a hand mixer.

I can't wait to

cuddle a koala

feed the kangas

sail the Whitsundays

scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef

experience Uluru by camelback

watch the Penguin Parade on Phillip Island

drive the Great Ocean Road and see The Twelve Apostles

climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge

attend an Aussie Rules game

and who knows what else?!  One month from today I'll be there.

I.  Can't.  Wait!