No Place Like Home

No matter where I live in the world, and no matter how much I love where I'm living, there's always something nice about being "home", in a place that's so familiar, and so comforting. I don't ever see myself ending up back in Utah, but despite that fact, I love to be home, sleeping in my own bed, having home cooked meals (not made by me), and getting to spend time with my parents.

Favorite things about last weekend:

FINALLY finding a wedding dress
Figuring out most of the wedding plans...and the wedding is still 2 months away,
Wedding planning is a breeze (heavy sarcasm included)
Sleeping in until 11 almost every day (having mono allows for laziness)
Spending Mother's Day with my Mom
Hanging out with good friends
Spending every afternoon with my Dad...it was nice not having him really work last week
Eating Dunford chocolate cake donuts...my favorite
Working at Joe Morley's for a night...why not make a few extra bucks on vacation?
Spending Mother daughter night at Tai Pan...love that store!

Oh, there really is no place like home...I'll be back in a few weeks!

R.I.P. Okie and Acron

I just received the most tragic text message from my roommate:

"Can I ask you a questions? How attached were you to those frogs?"
And I instantly knew they were gone. Between the three of us, in our house, there exists, two dogs, a cat, and the recently departed Okie and Acorn. I'd be lying if I said it was no big deal. Heck, they're just frogs, right? And let's be honest, it took me an entire week of being in Oklahoma to even realize that the little guys were still at John's house. It's true, I forgot about them, after I was so adamant that if I was moving to Oklahoma, so were they. I knew they'd survive the trek.What I didn't know is that Lord Bryron, the feisty little cat, would be the cause of their death. I'm glad I'm not there have to see it first hand.
So sad...she said she'd get me more, but it just won't ever be the same. It's like saying you're going to replace a child, some things are kind of irreplaceable...ok, maybe it's not exactly the same, but pretty darn close.
R.I.P. little guys!!

Mother's are a girls best friend

If there is one woman in the world I wish I could be more like, it's her:


She's beautiful, and one of the most selfless, thoughtful, giving, talented, and patient woman I know. I've always said if I can be half the mom she is, I will feel very accomplished in life. I already know my future children will rather play with her than they will with me. She's incredible! I don't know how I got so blessed to have her as a mom, but she's definitely one of my many blessings in life that I wouldn't trade for the world. Mom, thanks for being one of my best friends, always answering the phone when I call, even if it's the 10th time that day, for listening to me when I need someone to talk to, for being a shoulder to cry on, and someone I know I can always laugh with. I think you are amazing, and I'm so lucky to be your baby girl.

I love you!!!

Total Eclipse Of The Heart

If any of you haven't seen the show Glee, I HIGHLY suggest it. That is, if you like singing, dancing, and quiet frequently cheesy plots. I so happen to love all of those things, and from day one of this show airing last year, I have quickly become obsessed. I have my favorite songs that I love listening to over and over again, but this song, from this weeks episode, has topped my list of all time favorites. Probably because it took me back to my younger years, and I longed to be back in ballet again. John said he's support me in taking classes after we get married. I think he just likes the idea of me being in a leotard with a tutu...

A little thing on love

It's funny how 9 months ago, while sitting at work, talking to one of my friends/co-workers, discussing our dating lives, our "love" interests, and all that is entailed in that oh-so-fun aspect of life, the last thing I said to him, before walking away from that conversation, was this, "I don't believe in love." To which he responded, "And so begins your love story." Knowing me, I probably rolled my eyes at him, and made some snide remark. Little did either one of us know, that that's exactly what happened next, my love story began to unfold, and will continue to do so forever and ever.

Had someone told me that the boy from the computer labs, back in my BYU days, would one day be my fiance, and soon to be husband, I probably would have acted a lot faster. That is, after laughing at them for telling me that he was going to be my husband, considering he and I had never talked, and our lives were both taking us to very different places in the world. But some miraculous way, when things are meant to be, God finds a way for them to work out, even when we think it to be impossible. I have no doubt in God's abilities to bring to pass great things, miraculous things even. I have no doubt in His ability to know each of us so well, that sometimes our lives have to take a different course than we may have expected, but it's all for our own good, our own growth, and our own understanding. And when we're ready, He will bless us with blessings that we don't always deserve, but that we're privileged enough to experience. For me, love has become one of those blessings. And surprisingly enough, my love story has turned out just the way I had hoped for, but far from how I ever expected it to be.

I may be stubborn at times, opinionated, impatient, and demanding on occasion,

and because of that, I don't always feel like I should be so lucky and deserving. But for some reason, despite my weaknesses, God has let a good thing happen in my life, and that good thing is him:

I may have claimed to not believe in love a few months

ago, but if you'd ask me that same question today, I'd happily say, that it's amazing how one person can change my mind and make me think differently. I'm in love, I believe in love, and I can't wait to spend forever with with man I love!

OKC vs DC

It's been over two weeks since I made the trek out to Oklahoma City, and I have to say it's a little miracle the transition has gone so well. Not that I ever doubted it wouldn't go well, but knowing I was coming from DC, to OKC, it had me worried, I'll be honest. I've never thought I was better than OKC, but in my mind, I was just coming from DC, the nations capitol, a fast paced society where you can never get bored, even if you try. I knew I was coming to a place that even the locals say is "boring", so naturally I wondered what the transition would be like. I was worried that DC had made me into a girl that had to have every resource possible at the tip of my fingers. I was worried that DC had spoiled me into giving me everything I ever wanted. DC had made me into a classy girl, although not nearly as classy as the rest, but I still tried to keep up. I was a girl who thrived off of a fast paced society. And while all of this may have been/still is true, I'm discovering a new me that is about to emerge. One who went from saying, "Let's go shopping and have dinner in Georgetown," to "I'm fix'n to head right so into town tonight, if ya'll want to join." It's a new way of speaking, but I'm never opposed to new things, you know, the finer things of life. I went from a work environment that talked sex, HIV and AIDS, to being a health coach at OU last week. Instead of telling people to lay off of the promiscuity, I tried to convince the extremely overweight Oklahoma population to lay off the fried okra and fast food, that so conveniently lies on every street corner. I went from paying a pretty little penny for rent, to live in a house with five other girls, to paying for an entire summer's worth of rent, for less than one month's rent in DC. Now there's some food for thought? Why didn't I move sooner?! I went from wearing a suit to work (ok, so I rarely did that but it wouldn't have been weird if I did every day), to knowing that if I put on some cowgirl boots and a hat, and walked around town, it wouldn't be weird, or extremely out of place. I went from having a mall, plus a million other stores, just down the street from me, to not actually knowing where the closest mall is. So, needless to say, I have a lot of new things to learn out here. A new way of life to get familiar with. A new way of thinking. And a new way of talking, to say the least...

July 10, 2010

Major allergies to Spring,

on top of
Major food allergies,
then add
Mono to the mix,
and for the heck of it
Why not get engaged and drive across country pulling a 6x12 trailer?




Since my part-time job doesn't start until next week,
I'm following doctors orders,
Sleep
Sleep
Sleep
And taking it easy for awhile.
Oh, let the adventures begin!

T minus Three Days

I didn't serve a mission, but maybe this is what a mission feels like? After spending two years somewhere and really getting to know the culture, the people, my surroundings, the ins and the outs of the city, I have to pack up and leave, wondering what it will be like the next time I come to this place as merely a visitor, not a resident. It's bittersweet. No matter how excited I am to move on with my life, and begin an entirely different journey, there are still moments when I have to remind myself that the sweetness in my journey ahead is all that matters right now. But it's never easy to say goodbye. It's never easy to move on from what is so familiar. And it's most definitely never easy to leave family behind, knowing I will never get back the experiences and time I've had while living with a sister, and having another one just an hour an a half away. One can always replace a favorite shirt, or a new pair of shoes, but replacing time with family is simply irreplaceable. Come Friday, I will probably be an emotional wreck, as I turn and say goodbye and close the door behind me, on my Fort Scott Drive house, one last time. How sad it will be to close the door and walk away, leaving DC and the memories behind. I have no doubt that this is what I'm supposed to be doing, and let's face it, love makes us all a little crazy at times. So, despite what some may think, I'm following my heart, and I'm doing what I know to be the best decision I have really ever had to make thus far in my life. The memories of DC will always be with me, and DC will always hold a special place in my heart. I've had more experiences than I ever thought possible in just two years, and I know I'm a better person today because of them. Two years flies by, and even with a room full of packed boxes, I'm having a hard time believing the end is here. But it is, and that's that. Thankfully I didn't have to vanish too quickly, and I got to enjoy one of the best things DC has to offer, the cherry blossoms! I love DC. I may have not always acted like I love it out here, but in retrospect, DC is a unique place, and I know that no matter where I end up in life, nowhere will be quite like the place I've called home for the last 713 days.

4 More Days...

...until I slip into mini-retirement.

Today is my last Friday of EVER working in the District.

WHAT?

It's weird,

exciting,

sad,

blissful,

odd, and

stressful

all at the same time.

So, what am I going to do with all the time on my hands, you may ask?

Well, I have a feeling my mini-retirement will be far from relaxing.

But that's ok,

because other exciting things will keep me occupied

and I'll forget I'm not getting a paycheck every two weeks.

I guess that's the one and only downside to not having a job.

I like making money.

Oh Oklahoma, the fun times we have ahead of us!

Happy Easter

OKC or Bust

When everything around me seems to be crashing down and coming to a halt, there’s another story in life that’s just beginning. Although its pages haven’t all been written yet, the introduction is beautiful enough to encourage me to keep writing. Keep moving forward. And to keep on smiling, even when the unknown lies ahead. The unknown that’s scary and full of change, change that I wonder if I’m ready to face.

I’ve had a love/hate relationship with DC these past two years. I’ve loved everything about my experiences, my jobs, my life, and my many adventures here. But there was part of me that easily found things to hate, to complain about, and to think were just plain awful. All of those things basically had to do with the reality that I had to grow up. I have such a tough life, I know. I was queen of the typical the grass is greener on the other side, type attitude. In hindsight, let me put it rather bluntly, my life has been pretty darn awesome. I should be jealous of my own adventures I’ve had these last two years from being in DC. I, in fact, am jealous of myself and what I’ve seen, done, and experienced. I’ve been living a glorified life, I’ve been rather spoiled, and I’m ok with that. So, although I’m only two years into this post-college life of mine, and expected to be an east coaster for just a little bit longer, it looks like the mid-west is calling my name, and my time here is coming to an end, an April 16th end. My two weeks are now in, and it's official, I’m moving to Oklahoma City to be closer to this one.

If anyone has any connections there, don't be shy, I need a job!!!

Here's to a Great Week

I don’t know why I have particular moments in life when I tend to make it hard for myself to be happy. But I have them, probably more of them than I should. I complain, mope around, throw myself pity parties, and think the world is out to get me. No matter how great my life is, I seem to be fully capable of finding something minuscule to get in the way of my happiness. The grass is obviously greener on the other side, right? Well, of course it is, if I don’t want to wake up and face reality. But reality is reality, and there’s no escaping that fact. And reality is this, life is beautiful. No matter if I have a bad day, an off day, a rainy day, a day where I mess up and make mistakes, a day where I say things that I instantly regret, a day that is simply too overwhelming, a day where I just don’t have a brain, or just the opposite, and a day where I think WAY too much. Life is still beautiful, and meaningful, and purposeful, and worth being happy for, no matter what.

This morning I woke up happy—as happy as I can be after waking up—because this is going to be a good week, and here’s why:

1. My travel writing class (yes, the same one that I was REALLY excited for) is finally going to be OVER!!!
2. John comes out to visit
3. General Conference begins this weekend
4. Cherry blossoms are supposed to be at their peak of blooming
5. Easter is on Sunday
6. It’s going to get into the 80’s multiple times
7. Hopefully on Friday the doctor’s will FINALLY have some answers for me and my awesome health
8. Baseball season starts
9. Another four day work week for me!
10. And did I mention he’s coming out to see me?

Not that I have to have a list of things to look forward to in order to make me happy, happiness is a choice, and I can choose to be happy even if thing's aren't always awesome in life. But lists sometimes help, and this week, I like what's going on. So, here's to a good week, a week full of sunshine, nice weather, and a handsome boy coming to visit me.

An Ode to my Mother

My Mom is one of my best friends.

I call her nearly every day,

just to chat,

to ask for her advice,

to listen to her chat,

or to get a good laugh in,

because I just never know what's going to come out of her mouth.

She always makes time for me,

which can sometime be a daunting task, I'm sure.

She's the most thoughtful and selfless person I know,

and I hope one day I can be half the Mom she is,

because she's simply amazing.

Happy Birthday Mom!

I sure love you.

My Thoughts Exactly...

My dear mother forwarded this to me and my sisters the other day:

"Let me get this straight. We're going to be gifted with a health care plan written by a committee whose chairman says he doesn't understand it, passed by a Congress that hasn't read it but exempts themselves from it, to be signed by a president who also hasn't read it and who smokes, with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn't pay his taxes, to be overseen by a surgeon general who is obese, and financed by a country that's broke.

What the hell could possibly go wrong?"

Wow, isn't our government is awesome!

From Sea to Shining Sea

From the east side to the west, I've got it covered. California one day, running a half marathon in DC the next...let's just say I waste no time sitting idly by. Ok, not true in the slightest, but it's fun to pretend that I don't have a lazy bone in me.

The West side:

San Francisco twice

Eating loaves of sourdough bread

Burgers a Red's Java House, the best burgers in the city!

Lunch at The Spinnaker...delish!

Ghirardelli Square, a chocolate lovers heaven

Walking across the Golden Gate Bridge

Visits to Sacramento and Oakland Temple

Picnic at the lake

Runs along the river

Sleeping in

Delicious home cooked meals

Late night walks

Sunny warm weather

Spending time with a certain someone

Four solid days of NO work

There's nothing quite as exhilarating as a vacation, I already knew would be great, turning out to be even better than expected. And that's exactly how last weeks trip to that golden state turned out to be. Why is it that life just seems better when I'm in California?

And the East Side:

A brutal 13.1 mile run with my dear old Dad
(Who beat me by 7 minutes...what did I expect?!)

Even if he always beats me at any race we do together, it's special daddy daughter bonding time nonetheless, and I love that it's our thing to do. Thanks for coming out to run with me Dad, I sure love you! And Lisa, thanks for training with me!

Spring Break

Last weekend I headed to Philly to spend the day with a good friend, and to make amends for not having visited her since she moved to the east coast back in August. Sorry Steph! I love spending time with good friends. Friends who you don't have to talk to everyday, but you can still pick up right where you left off with the last time you were together. Steph is one of those friends. Which naturally makes sense since, as college roommates, we'd spend countless nights engaged in sing-a-longs as we stalled going to bed. For some reason, that just builds a special bond! Thanks Steph and Ben (her fabulous husband) for a perfect day spent in Philly, and for treating me to lunch AND dinner! Let's do it again soon, but next time it's on me!

(I know what you're thinking, but rest assured, the nasty hippie hairstyle has finally been resolved)

Naturally this weekend I have another trip planned. I should stop calling them vacations, since they've become such a regular routine of my life. Vacations - or what have you - they just make life more exciting. This time, it's off to Sunny California I go, to spend time with this one, on his stomping grounds.

He's been to mine, so I guess it's fair for me to finally make it to his. And if I'm lucky, he'll take me into the city, where my heart never stops smiling.


Upper 60's, low 70's all week, I think I'll be in heaven.

Taking Chances

One thing I've learned from the travel writing class I've been taking is this, no one really cares what we have to say, unless it's family, close friends, or a significant other. So, with that being said, and although everyone who reads my blog most likely falls under one of those categories anyway, if you don't feel like reading "deep thoughts by Amy" below, I won't be offended.

Life is hard, it's scary, it's challenging, it's full of ups and downs, and smooth sailing after getting out of, sometimes, the roughest of currents. But through thick and thin, life is rewarding, life is awesome, and life is full of so many opportunities that should be seized upon, if we'd only be willing to take chances.

If there's one thing I've learned in my 24 years of life, it's that no matter what decisions I make, no matter what dumb things I choose to do, and no matter what the outcome may be, good or bad, there is always a lesson to be learned and personal growth to follow. So, why do I still make it hard on myself to make decisions, to take a leap of faith, and to trust in the Lord for what he has in store for me, knowing that no matter what, I'll grow from my decision? "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not fear not" D&C 6:36 It's a simple phrase but contains a powerful message. If everything I do, I do it until the Lord, there's no room to fear, to doubt, to question, to worry, or to stress about the decisions I'm trying to make.

Sometimes I think I'm too good at being cynical, too good at trying to see through things, and find fault, and too good at finding a reason not to do something that I know will be hard. But where does that get me? Except in a miserable and selfish state of mind. Not somewhere I'm particularly aching to be. Yet I do it anyway, thinking maybe I'm protecting myself from hurt and pain, or disappointment and grief. But where will that ever get anyone, if we're always shying away from growing opportunities? A withered up ball of nothingness?

Life is about growth. Life is about serving others, not serving ourselves. Life is about finding happiness, and finding purpose and meaning behind what we do. By not doing hard things, making sacrifices, and taking chances, blessings can't follow, and I don't think we can really know true happiness that way. It's easy to be selfish and to do things merely for our own sake, without others in mind. As the youngest of four, I hate to admit that I've had/have my selfish moments in life. Sometimes I only have myself in mind, and want to know what's in it for me. Where is the good in that? Where is the growth? Where is the happiness?

So, in the words of Glee (who I may be obsessed with at the moment and actually did a remix off of Celine Dion's song)

What do you say to taking chances,

What do you say to jumping off the edge?

Never knowing if there's solid ground below

Or hand to hold, or hell to pay,

What do you say?

It's time to take more chances in life, to make more big decisions (as if moving to DC wasn't big enough), and to take a leap of faith and trust in the Lord, realizing that in the end, good or bad, it will all be worth it. And if you're wondering, NO, I'm not getting married!

A Walk Down Memory Lane...

I've never been one to quote movies, unless it's a song from a movie, than it's likely I'll sing along, in an awful, out of tune kind of voice. I can't sing, I know it, but I do it anyway. Put words to music, and I somehow know every word, and for some reason think I always have to sing-a-long.

Over the last few days I've been catching myself quoting lines from theme songs from some of my childhoods finest...well, just one line in particular, "Get it right or pay the price."

Watching that reminded me of this show:

Which escalated into me watching all of the following,

For memories sake of course:

How I miss the days of awesome T.V. shows.

T.G.I.F!!!

Guess Who's Back?

He may only be back for a week, but a week's a week, and I'll gladly take whatever I can get.

I've been beyond excited once I learned my brother was coming into town for work a few weeks back. There's nothing I love more than spending time with my siblings, and last night, it was time well spent. Living on the east coast just isn't the same anymore without my brother around, and soon Brittany and Brian are going to follow suit and pack up and leave the east coast too. It seems my family is fleeting from the east coast one sibling at a time. First Rob, now Brittany. So, I guess the real question is, who will be next to pack our bags and leave DC, Andrea, or Me? Or will we leave...

Sibling dinner July 2009:

Sibling dinner February 2010:

Our family dynamics are slowing changing, one baby at a time.
Lorena and Michael, we sure missed you two.

Aunt Mays

As the youngest of four, I've never known what it's like to have a younger sibling to care after. The fact that a younger sibling is foreign to me is probably what draws me to loving children so much, but not in a creepy Michael Jackson kind of way. Just in the kind of way that I love to fuss over them, hold them, adore them, and have them sink into my arms. So, needless to say, the day I became an Aunt, I was beyond excited to have a little child to love and adore, one who was actually part of my family. Being an Aunt is the closest I'll get to having a younger sibling, and I think this way is a little bit sweeter anyway.

These past two days I've gotten to play "mom" to my nephew while my sister is back at work, and I've loved every minute of it. It's definitely given me a new appreciation for motherhood, because it's sure a demanding job, but a job that's worth the hard work nonetheless.

My favorite part of hanging out with my nephew, having him fall asleep in my arms for three hours. I don't think there is anything quite as sweet and peaceful as holding a sleeping baby, especially one this cute!
Hanging out with James these past few days has sure made me miss this little one too.

I'm sensing a trip to Sweden is in the horizon.