Eugene Weekend

I went to Eugene this past weekend for my sister Rachel's end of year activities. Highlights definitely include her last ballet recital and her piano recital, she played THIS by my favorite Polish composer.

But two things happened this weekend that let me know I am becoming my mother (in a very good and somewhat dorky sort of way, you know, things my mother might do*)

Example 1: I totally had a conversation with Andrew Wheating. For those of you unfamiliar with Oregon Track and Field (like everyone in the world except Oregon Track and Field enthusiasts and Eugene residents) Andrew Wheating runs for Oregon and is really good and really awesome. Here's what his U of O page says about him:

2008 Olympian

5-Time NCAA Champion (800 Meters twice, 1,500 Meters, Distance Medley Relay twice)

Pac-10 Champion (800 Meters, three times)

2010 Bowerman Award Finalist

USTFCCCA Track Athlete of the Year (Outdoor)

Pac-10 Track Athlete of the Year

3 School Records (Mile, 800 Meters-i, Distance Medley Relay)

8-Time All-American

Yeah, he's pretty awesome.

And I totally talked to him on Saturday after the Prefontaine Classic track meet.

Lauren: head nod, Good job!

Andrew: smiles, Hey thanks!

And there you have it folks. Me and Andrew Wheating? Tight.

Why does this make me like my mother? Because she'd probably do something like that to a total stranger as well.

Example 2: My dad took Rachel's car to work because his didn't have gas. Rachel took my dad's car to school, along with the credit card. That leaves me with my mom's minivan to drive to meet my friend for breakfast. We met at the Institute of Religion for the U of O. And what does she come pulling into the spot next to me in? A minivan. There we are 27 and almost 27, no kids between us, driving minivans. It was one of the funnier moments of my life.

Yes, I am turning into my mother because I don't think twice about driving a minivan.

Speaking of my mother. Rachel just emailed me this picture. Harry Potter World. Butterbeer. Mmmmm...

* but don't get me wrong. My mom is super cool and I want to be just like her. Maybe that's the real reason why I do things she would do...

Ducks

I may have considered wearing black today since my Ducks lost last night in the BCS National Championship football game. But then I realized that was overly dramatic and I opted for a black cardigan instead. Actually, I was happy with the way the game was played. At least Auburn only beat the Ducks by a field goal with 2 seconds left. And our touchdown and subsequent two point conversion to tie was so exciting my roommates woke up and got out of bed to come watch. (It was midnight by then. Blasted time difference!) And then when they scored we jumped up and down in our pajamas (and Ducks shirts).

But, good game played and I'm proud to have grown up a Duck.

My roommates are also proud to be new Ducks.

Do not ask me to explain my face. I know it's unflattering. I will never make that face again. You're welcome. Also I apologize for the poor quality. We forgot our cameras and had to settle with a phone picture.

And, we rather enjoyed their uniforms.

Picture from GoDucks.com

And lets be honest, whose uniforms look cooler?

Too bad it wasn't a fashion contest. We would have blown them away.

Jess' Wedding

It's Monday, a few days after the wedding and we're still exhausted. We sat around the house all day yesterday. It was pretty heavenly. A really nice man in our ward took a bunch of pictures at the reception and gave us the CD. Here are some of my favorites.

Jess' dress was made out of fabric she bought in Singapore.

Our back deck where we had a combo play nice jazz music in the background. The piano player is in our ward (and he's also Amy's brother-in-law)

Eating Tasty Thai. Our favorite Thai restaurant in Eugene. They packed everything for us in to-go boxes. And the food was delicious!

The cake was decorated with left over flowers by Emma.

View of the eating area from the deck.

As a surprise for Michael Jess sang Ballad For My One True Love by Mason Jennings

They learned a salsa dance and performed for everyone.

 

Full blown dance party. We like to dance...

The day was really fun. We got up at 6 to get ready for the marriage at the Portland Oregon Temple, then had a luncheon afterward at a house in the Portland area before driving the two hours back down to Eugene to get ready for the reception at 7. Everything was so lovely, the temple, the luncheon (which was so cute and put together by the groom's family, and styled by his lovely sister, but I didn't take a single picture. oops!) and then I just thought the reception was so much fun. Jess kept saying she didn't want to leave the party early. We told her it would end as soon as she left. She still wanted to hold out longer. It was pretty funny.

Oh, and I learned I take horrible candid photos while I'm dancing. Evidenced below...

I love my Ducks!

I was talking to my sister today about how all the kids we know who grew up in Eugene but went to BYU are more Oregon fans than we are BYU fans. We don't really know why, but that's the case. But I obviously rooted for BYU against Oregon State in the Las Vegas Bowl, (I don't root for the Beavers). But I just love the Ducks. We've loved the Ducks since we moved to Eugene.

Well, tomorrow they are playing in the Rose Bowl against Ohio State. We're having a big party with lots of yellow and green and Ducks paraphernalia. Actually, the entire city is decked out in green and yellow. (Including the bank.)

The following video was made by some Oregon students and they apparently got in trouble from Disney for using the mascot in their video since it's owned by Disney. Whatever. It's awesome. Just watch for a bit if you aren't an Oregon fan, it's still pretty sweet. But, best line of the song/rap: "Holy moly! Is that my boy Masoli? Cookin' up the offense like he's cookin' ravioli?"-- can be found at 1:05 if you want to hear it. (And, for the Duck illiterate, Jeremiah Masoli is the quarterback.)

GO DUCKS!

Zilpha

A few days ago my mom was asked if we would sing at a funeral for Zilpha Maude Hershner Hutchens, a 103-year-old woman from our Stake. It was a little strange to sing at the funeral for someone I had never met but I felt lucky to hear the beautiful things people had to say about her.

During the eulogy I jotted down a few of the things I liked that they said about her:

• Zilpha was active in the community senior center and took lots of classes. When she started her second year of Spanish she was asked if she was planning a trip to Mexico. She responded, "No, but if anyone ever asks I'll be ready!"
• She also took a hula dancing at the community center and when they performed she was the concluding soloist.
• When she was in her 80s she fulfilled a lifelong goal to ride an elephant.
• Every person talked about how much fun she had trying new things.
• And her Home Teacher spoke how she was afraid to die and so every time they visited they blessed her not to die. Pretty remarkable considering she lived 103 years!

It was good to have been able to be a part of the funeral service.

Also today, my dad's nurse had an appointment this afternoon and so I was called in to work a few hours as her fill in. I kind of like being the nurse in the office. I get to talk to people more, I get to spend time with my papa and see interesting things.

Two interesting things:

1. Removed a cyst from a woman's back. [WARNING: If you get squeamish from blood, don't read the next bit.] Then a couple blood vessels needed to be cauterized because they kept squirting blood. I know that seems really gross, well, it kind of is, but it was kind of cool to see it stream like it did. I've always heard about it happening too but had yet to actually see it happen. Shelley, my dad's nurse, has a lot of fun stories about that kind of stuff happening and it hitting my dad and getting his doctor's jacket dirty, or a cyst exploding etc. (They wear goggle-ish type glasses for protection.) Gross? Probably. But it's still pretty cool.
2. I took my first pregnancy test. And by taking a pregnancy test, I mean inserting the pee stick in the pee that's in the pee cup. (It was negative. Why did I have to do that? Well, you can't start Accutane if you're pregnant so we were making sure she wasn't. There can be serious side affects to the baby if you are.) And that grossed me out way way more than the squirting blood. I can't handle smells. I hate smelly things (unless it's delicious cookies or something).
3. Pee stick=gross. Squirting blood=awesome.

Hope your holidays are wonderful!

Oh and PS. Remember when I blogged about THIS? Well, I got it. I can't wait to start posting real pictures.

Prom

Last night my sister went to Prom, so it made me think about my proms so I dug up some old pictures:

Junior Prom
Melanie was my date. This picture was so completely candid. We weren't ready for it and I just kind of threw my leg in the air and opened my mouth. But I love it and it makes me happy. My mom made my dress for me. And for the record, it wasn't dorky for us to be each other's dates.

Senior Prom
My date and I are in the middle. I made my dress this year. This picture was taken up at Hendrick's Park in Eugene.

But enough about me, here are some pictures of my sister and her friends. They were so cute, and went in a group of girls. Apparently one of them had a horrible date experience the year before and wanted to just go with her friends.

Prom 2009
My mom made Rachel's dress and worked on it literally up until the time Rach put it on. We bought her necklace, headband and shoes the day of the prom too. But it all worked out wonderfully and I think Rach is the cutest one (but then again, I'm a little biased).

After helping the girls get ready at our house I hung out with my parents. A kid I used to babysit, who is now 17, and his band were playing their first gig at the Wow Hall, a local music venue, so we went to support them. The kid told my mom they were playing between 7:30 and 8 (they were the first band) so we get there at 7:30 and my mom rushes in and asks the ticket office if the first band has already started (we could hear the music already). The guy tells her yes they've already started so my mom goes rushing into the music hall and opens the doors (which were closed and blocked by a trashcan), she comes out a couple minutes later wondering why no one is in there and why everyone is waiting in the foyer. Turns out the band was doing their soundcheck. All I can think is, great, we have a whole bunch of punk teenagers here for the "Rock Against Prom" show and I'm hanging out with my parents. I'm decked out in cute sandals, capri pants, and a frilly Anthropologie shirt and surrounded by 16-17 year olds in their skinny jeans, personalized converse sneakers, studded belts, and unique thrift store t-shirt finds. Not only are we clearly the oldest people there but we can't even attempt to blend in because of our conservative clothes. Turns out that the show doesn't start till 8. We take a walk around the block to relieve ourselves of the displacement and to find somewhere to eat after the show. Although the show was fun and I'm glad I was able to see the formerly shy, computer playing gawky kid on stage with teenage girls screaming for him as he walked over towards them with his guitar, and hearing "Victor's sexy!" yelled during breaks between songs, I'm so glad I never have to go to prom again (with it's accompanying drama) or go to anti-prom rock concerts surrounded by kids thinking they're so cool and cutting edge while they go against the norm.

That is a chapter in my life that, while it was enjoyed at the time, I'm so glad to never have to repeat.

Also, I found the cord to upload pictures, so check out this post so you can see my flag cake!

Sweaty Summer Round 2

Last year I spent the entire summer bathed in sweat.

1. Valley of the Kings, Egypt: My undershirt was completely soaked.
2. Jordan: If you look closely I have pit stains. It was hot and that shirt was not forgiving.
3. River Jordan: Trever's back is very wet. Had I had my picture taken, the results would have been similar.

4. Tel Dan, Israel: Enlarge the picture. You can see the sweat on my forehead.
5. Gamla, Israel: I am starting to get a puddle of sweat on my neck. If I had photographic evidence of the end, That sweat triangle extended to my belly button. And I had had a camelbak on. It was incredible, I had no idea I sweated that much.

This summer is turning out to be similar, but not for the same reasons.
First off, I'm moving to DC. And it's humid there, so I'll be sweating.
Second, I'm trying to get back in shape so that adds another significant element of sweat.

Today we hiked Mt Pisgah, which if you had asked me before we went how long of a hike it was, I would have told you for sure five or six miles to summit. I found out that it was about two miles to summit. I am not in good shape that's for sure. Here are a few pictures from the hike. It was beautiful:

And yes I was really sweaty.

Good news is that when we got home we jumped in the pool for a few laps and then powerwashed the deck ghetto style-- meaning we used a hose and a brush. Too bad the only brush we could find was a toilet brush. The 70s house dress added to the over all ambiance.

PS. My diploma came today!

Cake!

Yesterday my parents hosted a lunch for all the cute old widows from church. I offered to make the dessert because I've been dying to make something lately. I almost made cookie dough to eat but decided that that was against my healthy eating plan. But I found a most delicious recipe for Lime Chiffon Cake in my mom's Cooking Light cookbook. It was absolutely delicious. I think I'd make it again.

Also, we went and saw Star Trek last night. I may be a total geek, but I loved it!

i'm lovin it

This has nothing to do with McDonald's but I have a feeling it's going to be a good day.

1. Viva la Vida (and the rest of the CD)-- it's playing while I clean the kitchen and you better believe it's going to be playing while I clean my car. Maybe I'll put on Dixie Chicks afterwards...

2. It's sunny today! Unfortunately the pool heater is broken so there won't be any swimming. (The thought of going swimming in water that has not been heated for an entire winter is not only undesirable but also just plain ridiculous.) But this will also make it a lot nicer when I wash the car.

3. Bike ride? I might be going on a tandem ride this afternoon with my dad. I told him it better be a short one because I don't want to be bonky* all night, so I think we're going to do 20-30 miles or so. Maybe by the time I leave I'll have worked up to a good 50 miler, but I think it took me a whole summer to get to that level last time and I think I'll only be here half the time.

4. I love ice cream (especially Ben and Jerry's) and was able to curb my want for it last night at a wedding reception and only have a little. I'm feeling really good about my self control.

5. I think we're going to go to the U of O track meet this evening. They're trying to break a record!

Happy Saturday!

*bonky-- to be so tired during or after a ride that you are completely wiped out and not able to do anything but rest. (Only a good feeling if you don't have anything else to do.)

Homework

On Sunday night when I got home from my long drive, my high-school-aged sophomore sister and our junior exchange student were complaining about doing their homework. I danced around the house because I don't have to do homework again ever!

I taught Seminary this morning for my mom. I had to prepare my lesson last night, and it cut into my Biggest Loser watching. It felt an awful lot like homework.

Honey I'm home!

I'm back in Eugene. I'll be here for a short time. Though I'm not sure when exactly I'm leaving yet. But highlights of the drive home are as follows:

10. Saturday morning wake up in St. George after going to my cousin's wedding the day before.
9. Breakfast with parents and Grandparents.
8. Drive to Provo, finish loading the cars.
7. Stop in SLC to visit with Erin while the parents are at a reunion.
6. Drive to Boise while listening to Remember Me? (entertaining but full fluff)
5. Spend night in Boise
4. Church in Boise
3. Drive to Burns, Oregon.
2. Almost pee my pants between Burns and Brothers.
1. Shakes in Sisters (Black Raspberry)

Yes there is a Brothers, Oregon and a Sisters, Oregon. Brothers is really just a rest stop and a few mobile homes, but Sisters is a really cute.

It's good to be home I'm sweaty from unloading the cars and now I get to help my sister with her homework. Apparently we will be discussing Hinduism tonight.

Cheers!

Home

I'm going home today! I can't wait! Unfortunately the Saturday Market doesn't open until April. Click here or here for the last goodies from the last time I made it to the market. There is just something about the Saturday Market that makes me so happy. Oh, yes, it's home. It's home with all the crazies and originals. I'm thinking we will be hitting up some of our favorite restaurants: Tasty Thai, Prince Pucklers, Bene Pizza. And maybe go to some movies. Cami's gotta have fun before she goes to the MTC! And then I think we'll be doing some serious cooking and baking to get ready for her open house Sunday! Yay for home!

I love Eugene 2

I couldn't resist putting up another video. This one is so quintessential Eugene. We're at the market, she's hippie dancing, she's got wings on her ears (although they do look like elf attachments from far away), and I think she was a vendor that just had to get out and move. She made us so happy. Pictures of my cute missionary sister to come! And she really is so cute.

I love Eugene

I'm in the process of writing a post dedicated to Jess, whom we took to the MTC yesterday (Singapore, Indonesian speaking mission), but until I actually finish the post I'd post this little gem from the Eugene Saturday Market.

The star of this clip was seen congratulating me for my sweet Saturday Market inspired moves (which unfortunately for you probably won't be posted) saying something to me about how there is an inner dancer in all of us and that he's so happy I let mine get out. Little does he know...