Procrastinating

I have stuff to do at work. Instead I am dragging my feet and procrastinating on the internet. Why do I do that? It doesn't make me feel any better about my work ethic or my productivity and makes me feel like a bad employee. But, here I am blogging, counting down the last 38 minutes left of work, and half dreading, half wishing for a government shut down. I don't want it because that means I don't work and I don't get paid. I want it because it means a few hours (days?) of vacation I wasn't expecting.

I usually blog when I'm procrastinating, and lately, my main place for online procrastination is the blog I started about six months ago when my roommate left the country for work. I end up posting multiple things a day. It's all random. It's probably the most random blog ever. But, I like it, and its full of pretty looking, delicious looking, and fun looking things. You can procrastinate over there too. Because isn't that what blogging is really all about anyway? Procrastination? Well, unless you actually get paid for your blog. Then, it's kind of your job I guess.

I'm rambling.

But, here's a picture, because everything's more fun with a picture. Right?

We look hard core with our matching dragon tattoos. Place: Galilee, Israel. Who: Peter, Mandi, Me, and a guy whose name I can't remember but he called his girlfriend Baby and we all laughed about it. We were friends, so I should remember his name, but I don't. Matt? Nick? No... hm...CHRIS! His name was Chris. Actually, I think he married Baby...

Kirtland

I'm blogging on a Saturday night... I feel pretty lame. But, to redeem myself, I am waiting for a friend to pick me up, so I decided to post a couple pictures from last weekend's trip to Kirtland, Ohio*.

Lisa's old friend is serving her mission in Kirtland, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints visitors center and will be going home next month. We wanted to go before she goes home and have her give us a tour of the Historic Kirtland visitors center, and since it was a long weekend we decided it was the perfect opportunity. (The weather was surprisingly nice, no snow until the drive home day.)

Here are a couple of the highlights. Pictures by Rebecca Reed, my awesome and talented, photographing roommate.

In front of the Whitney store. The Smiths lived here in the upper floor. The store was a meeting place for people in town and a place to do all their shopping. 80% of the house was original I guess technically Rebecca didn't take this picture since she's in it. But we'll still give credit since the picture was from her. And, I have HUGE hair! Wow. I should move south...

School of the Prophets. We sat and listened to the sister missionaries tell us how they begin their missions in this room, dedicating their service to God. It was really neat to be in there and think of the great things experienced there by early church leaders.

The Temple. I was so impressed by the dedication of the people and their hard work. It's a lot bigger than it looks. The second story is just as big as the first and the ceilings were high. Unfortunately pictures weren't allowed inside, it's still a sacred place, but the wood carvings and attention to detail were beautiful and humble.

The visitor's plaque by the temple read: "Kirtland Temple symbolizes the empowerment that comes from spiritual preparation and dedicated stewardship while inspiring continuing efforts to build up the communities in which we live."

We all liked the quote and liked how the early saints lived their beliefs every day and sacrificed so much for God. We came back wanting to continue in that vein and have that same empowerment, knowing who we are and what we stand for and following what we believe.

Needless to explain, the weekend was fabulous. We also hit up Pittsburgh, ate tasty food, visited the Andy Warhol museum, perused the local mall and an awesome gigantic grocery store, saw True Grit, slept for 13 hours in one night, and made a synchronized car dance to Justin Bieber. It was a great and a most needed road trip.

* If you aren't Mormon, Kirtland is a small town in Northern Ohio, close to Lake Erie, where many church members gathered before moving west to Missouri, Illinois and eventually Utah. Moves were necessary since the Mormons were forced out of town by angry and antagonistic members of the community. Kirtland is one place they had expected to stay for a long time, and because of that they built a temple for worship, instruction and for their community.

Forgotten Lunch

In a spasm of forgetfulness this morning, I forgot my lunch. I realized it as I pulled my wallet out of my bag to get on the bus. The fact that my bag was light should have tipped me off as I ran down the street, but it didn't. And now I don't have my orange slices, my carrot sticks, the My Little Pony fruit snacks (yes, I'm 7), or my salad. And my salad was good too, avocado, strawberries, chicken, almonds, balsamic vinaigrette... Wish I was going to eat that today instead of trying to figure out what to eat. I haven't eaten lunch out in ages, I'm not sure where to go, and for some odd reason its stressing me out. Just thought I'd share.

Hawaii

My family is currently spending their time at a gorgeous hotel resort, sitting on the beach, eating delicious fresh Hawaiian banana bread, and taking day trips to Hana. And yesterday they were in Laie. I'm so jealous and I wish I was there too.

Instead, I will sit at my desk here at work and eat the banana cake I made last night. Not quite as good as the Maui bread, but good for now in the 40 degree weather. And at least the sun is out and I can see that from my desk window.

Series Books

You know that feeling when you finish a book that you really liked, I mean really got into. The type that you find yourself dreaming about all night about the characters, you as a character, reliving the good or dramatic parts of the book? Oh, you don't get like that? It's just me? Well then, this is another disclosure on my nerdiness.

I love series books. And for some reason that seems really dorky to me. But, I love them anyway.

I love them because the story keeps going. I don't have to imagine what happens next in the story, because all I have to do is pop open the next book. I blame my love of stories on this. This is probably why I like TV and movies so much.

Last night I finished a new book, that if I had read the fine print would have known it was the first in a new series of five books. And the other five haven't come out yet. And will be coming out over the course of the next four years. Tragic for me, because I just want to know what happens next!

But, this got me thinking about other series books I have enjoyed. If you're looking for a good one, I'd suggest one of these.

Harry Potter (probably the best series ever. if you're a hater, DO NOT tell me, I don't care)

Anne of Green Gables (adds more background to the movie and Gilbert is just as fantastic, and I really just like the first three best)

Uglies Trilogy (Way more sci-fi than I thought I'd like but I ended up loving the whole series. Such an interesting concept, getting plastic surgery at 16 to get rid of your genetic traits.)

The Books of Bayern (the first is my favorite but I loved them all. Started from a lesser known Brother's Grimm Fairy tale, The Goose Girl and then developed into the series. Just really great.)

Peter and the Starcatchers (a retelling of Peter Pan, before he could fly and before he met Wendy, and it's written by Dave Barry and he's hilarious, so the book is hilarious. And the audio book is read by Jim Dale, the same guy who reads Harry Potter, and it's pretty awesome.)

The Hunger Games (loved these and couldn't sleep for weeks. And I still love Peeta.)

Twilight (yes I enjoyed reading them. Yes this embarrasses me. No I do not find Robert Pattison attractive, or even the character Edward for that matter, and no, you don't need a link for these. But I figure I should be fully disclosing.)

Shopaholic (probably one of the funniest series I've read. it's easy to like Becky but also easy to want to throw the book across the room in frustration with her dumb choices. And, it's way better than the movie. Though I don't think I made it past the third book.)

Sarah Dessen books (though not really a series, sometimes her characters overlap and I like that, favorites are The Truth About Forever, Just Listen)

Emily Giffen (mainly Something Borrowed and Something Blue, they go together, and Something Borrowed is going to be a movie coming out in May. I'm pretty excited about that. But there is a character overlap in Baby Proof.)

Percy Jackson and the Olympians (the Greek gods are still alive, they've just moved to New York City, Percy Jackson, is part god, part human and will be essential in saving Olympus. These were awesome because I love Greek Mythology and I thought the writing was fun and energetic. )

And, finally my new favorite which is actually a companion series to Percy Jackson, Heroes of Olympus series (this combines both Greek and Roman Mythology and was so good, I'll be itching to get the second book this fall. If you're interested, read Percy Jackson first since characters from that series pop up in this next one. But over all it's fantastic.)

Oh yeah, most of these are young adult too. Does that make me a dork too?

Post Publishing Edit: I just remembered another series I loved, and added it above. The Books of Bayern, or the Goose Girl books. Fantastic too. 

Jerusalem

I miss Jerusalem. I don't know what it is about that city that makes me ache for it. I miss it in a totally different way than I miss Oregon. Different than I miss Poland. Different than I miss Utah. And I miss it today for some reason.

I want to be back. If I could only go to one country ever again, I might pick Israel/Palestine so I could be in Jerusalem.

"Have a good one!"

I remember once when I was 14 or 15 the guy at the gas station handing my mom her receipt with a, "Have a good one!" And my mom saying thanks as she rolled up the window and then complaining that the command to, "have a good one" just didn't sit well with her. "Have a good what?" She said. "Have a good day?" "Have a good week?" "Have a good time trying to pop that zit between your eyes that's luckily covered by your glasses?" (Actually that's me today, not 10 years ago...it's a really pesky zit. It doesn't want to leave my face.) Now every time I hear that inadvertent command to, "have a good one" I think it sounds funny.

Yesterday I had a mini panic attack. I couldn't find my Kindle. I was worried but not that worried thinking it was probably at the bottom of a pile of clothes on the floor of my room. (Yes I'm violating one of my New Years resolutions to "Keep my room clean.") So I grabbed my iPod and earphones and decided I would have to listen to a book or music at the gym instead of reading, and gave up for the time being. But then I stressed about it. All. Day. Long. I couldn't even go to the gym after work because I needed to check my room again. And more thoroughly (I was worried about missing the bus.)

No Kindle.

Lisa suggested I call the gym and see if I left it there.

"Bally's Total Fitness this is _____"
"Um, Hi, I know this is a long shot, but uh, I think I might have, uh, left my Kindle there yesterday?"
"Is it in a cream case?"
"YES! With a brown leather band?"
"Yes we have it here."

How. in the world. did I leave my Kindle at the gym??

But, it was there, and I picked it up. And as I was closing out I looked at the lady with a big smile and a big thanks and found myself saying excitedly, "Have a good one!"

(On a side note, I'm pretty excited that Phil did not see his shadow and I'm SO ready for Spring already. I love Spring. It's so pretty here. And I'm glad I don't have to relive a cold day in February over and over and over. And another side not? Someone broke down the Groundhog's Day movie and how long Bill Murray must have been reliving February 2. He figured it out to be 12,403 days or 33 years 358 days! Wow. No wonder he was so good at ice sculpting!)