Making a fool of myself... whats new!?

We've all been there... doing something ridiculous in public where you pray that either no one saw you (which is usually unlikely) or pray that the Lord will strike you down so you don't have to see the faces of the people who did in fact notice. For some of you, you may be shaking your head and think to yourself "I rarely ever come across these moments" or "Sure I've had those moments but I'm not stupid enough to share it on my blog" As I've told many of you, my life is an open book (with a few torn out pages) and when ever I come across a moment when I can bring a smile to my friends face or make enemies happy to see "even I have flaws" I'll jump at the opportunity.

Twice now I have embarrassed myself singing in public. For those of you who are cringing at the thought "she sings in public" or even trying to picture me actually putting on performances and having an audience, that's not the singing I'm talking about. Let me explain...

The first experience happened while visiting my sister in a small town called Craig, CO. While walking into one of the seven stores that are in the small town, a few of my family members stopped to look at the sale they had going on outside of the store. Most of the time I forget I am in public (this being one of the moments) and will act very silly. We had been listening to High School Musical 2 with my niece in the car. I started singing the song to my sister without a care in the world. Last I had seen, there wasn't a single person outside within a 19 mile radius of us. I sang as loud as I could to my sister. I didn't notice the man come out of the store behind me and as I turned to go through a paper away (still singing might I add) he said to me "you have a very pleasant voice, thank you for singing and don't stop." All I could do was smile and listen to the laughs from my family behind me.

Second instance happened just this week. My sister and I had some time to kill before going to see a movie. We ran next door to Borders and were doing a little browsing. It was late and there were very few people shopping. My sister and I were headed to the registers from the back of the store. I had gotten a head start up to the front but was sure she was right behind me. I heard her come up next to me and with my hand in a fist holding only my thumb up (my pretend microphone) I leaned towards the person coming up on my left and started singing. Turns out my sister stopped to look at a book and the person who had come up next to me was a random shopper passing me. I tried to cover up my singing by using my thumb to point to the books that were next to the shopper. I don't think she fell for it but gave me a sympathetic smile. I ran back to my sister and informed her to let me know next time she stops to shop.

I am hoping I have learned my lesson and the next time I throw the microphone thumb up ready to sing a tune, I am fully aware of my surroundings and the people who are near. Or maybe I should refrain from doing it at all. :0)

Healthy Obsessions?

I hate to admit this but I have a feeling that I fall into the category of obsessed. I titled this blog Healthy Obsessions with a question mark because this could be a debate. I am coming more and more to the conclusion that life shouldn't be lived through movies, books or TV. What is that famous saying, "Grab life by the reins and take control". (I promise I'm going somewhere with this) For those of you who don't know me super well I am a big entertainment person. I love movies almost more then I love food. (I really love food!)

FYE (For Your Entertainment) is a small branch of heaven on earth here for me. My friend Angie laughs at me because she knows that we have to schedule at least two hours for that store whenever we enter into it. For most people, dinner and a movie is such a "lame" date. That was so the 90's! For me, bring on the dinner and movie. (In fact, skip the dinner)

Continuing on my entertainment kick I love reading. A few entries ago I wrote about my love for Borders. Reading up on the latest pirate ships, or how Madonna became Madonna. I am easily entertained.

And of course how can we forget about television. At least two-three times a week, people tell me of their love for various TV shows and suggest that I give it a shot and watch the first episode. If I don't love it, then I never have to watch it again. That's where the fall begins. I fell for this one time when my old roommate Ashley told me to watch the OC. In her words, "Jennie, just watch the first four episodes with me. If you don't love it, then you won't have to watch it ever again." Four seasons later and owning the first couple of seasons on DVD, its obvious that I became a little addicted. Now when people suggest shows to me, I immediately let them know that I have three shows that I watch. I refuse to add anymore on there.

So what does this have to do with Healthy Obsessions? Due to the few shows/books and movies I have become addicted to this is how I secretly (not such a secret anymore) hoped my life would have played out... I go to High School in Orange County where I hang out with Seth, Ryan, Marissa and Summer. After high school I say goodbye to some of my closest friends where I move to Seattle and become an intern at Seattle Graces Hospital. Here I deal with the drama of my close friend Izzy and George. Meridith is dating Derick and Sloan is constantly wanting to "date" me. Little does he know that when I go home Edward is there waiting for me- the perfect man.

This is why I add the question mark at the end. Its an addiction and I'm learning to control it. :0)

Hopeless Romantic

I find it kind of silly that my post prior to this one was a dedication to the nuns, my desire to be one and the top ten reasons why it would be a good decision. Those of you who read this may be wondering if I have found that "special someone". Fear not my single friends... I am still in your corner, but I have realized that I am a sucker for romance and the idea of falling in love. I don't speak of anyone in particular, only the imaginative characters in the movies or in the stories I read. I have tried to fight it but I can't help but feel the tugging of my heart strings when watching two people who have gone through their own struggles of searching for "that special someone" finally able to end the battle and truly fall in love. More and more I find myself searching for the novels that share the tale of two lost souls looking for their other half. Or dropping subtle hints to my friends to see movies of a guy and girl falling in love for the third time. I will remove my pride and share with the world my secret. I AM A HOPELESS ROMANTIC!! My fear now is not only the ridicule I will get after my faithful fans read this post, but the many acts of love I have read or seen will continue to linger in my mind. I hope someone is up for the challenge of catching my attention. :0)

Nuns

OK... For years now I have said how I really need to look into becoming a nun. I know some of you are thinking "but why would you do that!?" I've decided after sharing with you some of the "perks" of being a nun I would put them down in writing...

the 10 top reasons why it would be cool to be a nun!

10. Never have to shave your legs or underarms again (save on wax jobs too)
9. Wouldn't have to worry about not being up with the latest fashions... one outfit that's all you need!
8. Free room and board (no more stinky or crazy landlords)
7. Save a ton of money! (That you can give to the homeless)
6. Live with all your closest of girlfriends (ignore the cat fights)
5. No need to get pampered everyday (out with the makeup)
4. Can't figure out how to control your hair? No need just throw it back under the cap you wear (is that the technical term?)
3. No stressful situations... just constantly serving
2. Have God in your life 24/7
and the number 1 reason to become a nun...

1. NO MORE DUMB BOYS IN YOUR LIFE!!!

AMEN TO THAT!!!

So last week I had the chance to go with my roommate to the Dashboard Confessional Concert. When the idea was first presented to me I actually asked her to see if there was anyone else that would want the extra ticket she had acquired. I wasn't too familiar with their songs and it seemed silly to spend the extra $50. We decided that we would have more fun going together, so she quickly helped me with my little set back. She burned me serveral CDs of Plain White T's, Panic at the Disco, and Dashboard Confessional. We got to the show and immediately the doubt of feeling silly at a concert of artists I didn't know was let go and pure excitement overwhelmed me! Something about being at the concert, screaming your heart out as you sing along with the artist is exilerating. We were the only ones feeling this sensation as we danced along with several others. Especially our favorite fellow concert goer named "Drunk Man" who found moves that no one could top!

We gained the "groupie" nickname and to uphold our reputation we purchased shirts! We danced and sang to the last few songs and then sadness overwhelmed me as I realized the night was almost over. We stood there, watching the band leave backstage and looked around at the pockets of crowding going on. It was then that we realized, members of the bands had decided to come out and meet their fans. My roommate and I ran from the place we were standing to meet these fantastic entertainers! We left an hour later knowing the night was a success!!!!

book of life

A little more then three months is all that stands between me and Christmas! Is it really September already? Before long I will enjoy the long sleeves, coats and scarfs only until I step outside to the fridgid weather and curse my car for not heating up fast enough! What have I done this past year. I think at one point I set some new year resolutions but couldn't tell ya how close I am to getting to that change.
Its been a few months since I wrote on my blog last and to all of my readers who so anxiously want to keep up to date with me here are some of the newest changes that have consumed my life.
After living in three different places in six months, I decided to move yet again back to Lehi where I had just come from not more then four months ago. The drive to Sandy was slowly becoming more and more of a pain and although I moved to Provo from Lehi at the beginning of the summer it had served its purpose and I decided that I was past the Provo scene. Two my friends found a cute little condo for a great price, packed our bags and said goodbye to the town we had all lived in for so many years.
So speaking of my job in Sandy, the point of the mountain is death trap waiting to happen. As winter approaches, the mountain comes to life and produces its own masses of weather to the point where you fear for your life as drive around it. My little jetta would cringe at the thought each time I pushed her up the hill and around the bend just to get to work. Since the majority of the year is winter except for few warm months of summer, I decided to get myself a new car! I went and spoiled myself and got the xterra that I was contemplating on getting back around my birthday. Its was sad to depart from the jetta but it was time.
Lastly, against the better wishes of my mother I choose to re-color my hair and go back to dark. I was the closest to my natural color about 5 months ago and nothing made my mom more happy! To me, brunettes have more fun and being my natural color for even a few months was torture as it is.

So the summer had some nice changes to it, I feel like a new chapter in my so called "book of life" has started and more then ever I'm excited to see what winter can come up with.

The Airport

So many people laugh at me because of my love of the airport... next to borders its my favorite place to be. Sometimes I tell the person taking me to the airport that my flight leaves just a few minutes earlier then it really does so that I get to spend a little bit more time there. The airport is always associated with a negative connotation and I'm going to have to argue against this...
First, going to the airport means you are going somewhere and 98% of the time you are going somewhere fun, a vacation perhaps. The excitement of having a destination somewhere other then where you are now is one of the best feelings.
Second, if you are anything like me you love people watching. I find it fascinating to watch how families interact with each other during stressful moments or long periods of waiting. That's when true personalities come out.
Next, there is something about going and getting a magazine and reading up on the latest gossip in Hollywood... sure you can do that standing in line at the grocery store or in the comfort of your home, but it again it leads back to the first point I made.
Finally, vacations are always needed and the airport is your ticket to that! So the next time you want to rag on the airport... think first of the wonderful things it provides.
I REST MY CASE!!!

Sand Dunes!

There is something exciting about the wind in your hair, the sand in your teeth and the white knuckle grip on either the 4-wheeler or the person driving the 4-wheeler! I got to experience a trip down the Dunes a couple of weeks ago and I will tell you what... there isn't anything more exhilerating then seeing the MOUNTAINS OF SAND! I was facinated watching the different motobikes race to the top of a straight climb. What was even more exciting is riding on the back of a 4-wheeler and feeling like at any moment you are going to just fly off the back. Entering into the Sand Dunes a sign is posted "1 number of days since the last serious accident" Two days before I went, a man was life flighted out of there. The same day I was there flight for life visited the Dunes again. (Don't worry it wasn't anyone in our group)

Well don't worry... whenever there is a 4-wheeler and Jennie, you get an accident. Coming down from the mountainous peaks above... clinging tightly to the back of my friend a sudden turn sent my feet flying off the pedals and the intial reaction is to put your leg down. Well with the tire right there... sometimes thats not the best idea. My leg got caught under the tire and I flew off. Luckily we weren't going too fast and I was positioned in a way where my leg didn't break. However when my friend stopped my leg was under the tire of the 4-wheeler. YIKES! My friends were shocked my leg didn't break.

Following this... I was driving my 4-wheeler following a few more experienced friends of mine on their bikes. As they climbed a steep hill and glided smoothly over it I assumed I could do it as well. As I climbed the hill and realized I didn't know what lied on the other side I released the gas and my 4-wheeler stopped half way up the hill. My friends were already far ahead of me so I had to climb to the top of the hill so they would be able to find me when they realized I was gone. Climbing loose loose sand in 80 degree weather... I felt like it was the Sahara desert.

Over all the trip was a blast... I hyperextended my leg... have massive bruises on both legs, but can't wait to do it again!
Posted is a glimpse of what the sand dunes is like...

Home

I've been thinking a lot about feeling "Home sick". Whenever I get these feelings, I realize I have little places throughout Utah that help me chase away these negative emotions.
First: Borders! By far one of my favorite places to go when I need peace of mind. I love getting my Chi tea and walking up and down the aisles. I love grabbing random books about ghost ships or the making of the star wars movies. I love seeing friends anxiously engaged in conversation over a cup of coffee. Or the man sitting in the corner enthralled with his laptop. I call Borders my place of peace.
Second: The house of the family I nanny for. Whether or not the kids are there, I see the drawing on the fridge and the toys on the floor and I can hear their voices. They bring me happiness. I love the comfort of knowing that it is a place I can find refuge in. A place where I am loved and seen as the world in the eyes of three small children.
Third: The Spa! Enough said!
Fourth: The gym... even though I haven't been in months I remember how good it felt pushing myself and seeing the results.
Finally: My own home... being with my family. There isn't anything that can top that. It is my sanctuary!

GIRLS!!

Whats more ideal then getting all the girls together, sharing the latest gossip of new trends they've found. Talking about the latest guy they are eyeing or how the last one broke their heart? I've realized now more then ever that there is something great about being with your best friends, story telling and gossiping. Some of my favorite moments are listening to the conversations that are going on, hearing the happiness in the voices and most of all the laughs that are sincere and for real. Mothers advice: Never forget your girlfriends. Reach for them, confide in them and fall back on them. Its interesting how these are the people in our lives that at one point we couldn't go a day without telling them the latest gossip, but in the busy world we live in we let the days go by without giving those girls a call. How easy it is to let those days turn into weeks or even months before the guilt hits us when we realize the time we've lost with them. We move on and let husbands, careers, and life clutter the room we had for these women. Well today, I want all the fabulous girls in my life to know how much I care about them! This one is for your ladies!

kids say the darnest things...

I have been lucky enough to get to spend the majority of my life being surrounded by children. As of right now I currently am a nanny of three little ones. I always know that when my day is spent with kids, it's going to be different and even better then before. Some of my favorite things is seeing how excited the oldest gets when the animal wildlife visits his classroom and he gets to touch the snake. I love when the five year old draws pictures of me with an extremely large head, orange colored hair and hands that have three fingers. And of course I always smile when the three year old looks up at me with her hands high in the air and says "Hold you".
Above anything I love the thoughts that come from children's minds. A close friend of mine told me the story of when her son (while trying to get past her) suggested that other then Sunday, she should probably go to the gym everyday.
I also love the story that a close friend told me about the time she was teaching soccer to little kids. After getting a hold of the ball, she heard the shouts from one of the kids behind her "Grab the girl with the big butt!"
My niece, young at the time, came out here with her mom to visit me in Utah. She instantly started up a conversation with my roommates and after my sister told her we were leaving she responded, "You go on ahead, I'm going to stay here and visit with the girls."
How thankful I am for children's innocence and desire to be happy.

Blind date anyone?

I've reached a point in my life where my friends no longer have someone they can set me up with, but now have friends of friends finding me dates. We all know that 9 out of 10 blind dates fail and yet as a society we feel that it is our duty to find our "less fortunate" friends a soul mate. We are all guilty of this simple tactic.
I experienced a similar situation over the weekend. A friend of mine was chatting with his neighbor and in discussion found that she had a single brother. Never really meeting the guy and the neighbor never having met me still felt that it would be a spectacular idea for us to meet.
I keep looking for the sign on my forehead that reads, "still single..." Do I give off some aroma that screams out to people, "She needs help or she'll never get married!"
As always I give the benefit of the doubt... Maybe I will be the one person who finds their soul mate. Then comes the awkward moment of not knowing what to do on a blind date. Well you've got some really good options of dinner and bowling, dinner and adventure golf, and dinner and games with another couple you've never met.
Blind dates... you gotta love them!

Quarter-Life Crisis?

Well the time has come and although it is a year early, it is here and I'm preparing myself for the worst... my quarter life crisis. For those who don't know, I will be turning 24 in a couple of months and I guess rather then fearing it I should embrace it. That's exactly what I've decided to do. Over the last month I've been longing for a new car. Something a little bigger with more room and one that doesn't threaten to not start on me in the mornings if I don't warm her up first. Don't get me wrong, the Jetta and I have had some good years together but she isn't getting any younger and while I'm not either I can at least pretend I am. So I will trade her in and hopefully someone will find her.
Along with my desires to spend money, I've been obsessed with trying to make money! I've secretly been in love with the stock market and my 401k. Every once in awhile I will let it slip out in a conversation, and have found my mood to be a little darker when the stocks are down.
Well as I said, my quarter life crisis has hit and so I say, "Bring it on!"