Wednesday, June 30, 2004
One year anniversary
One year ago today I started working with my company. They gave me a keychain to commemorate the event. Pretty impressive, huh?!?
Very bad things
Yesterday after work I stopped by the mall on the way home. This new guy I am interested in works at Nordstrom, which is very bad for two reasons. First, Nordstrom is my weakness. I love the store. I don't need any excuse to go in a drop my money like a 20 lb brick. Actually giving me a reason to go there is really bad. Secondly, it is on my way home from work, so I can't avoid going by and thinking, "I bet he is at work, and my wardrobe could use a little infusion." Anyway, he wasn't at work, and this time I actually asked someone if he was there. I am such a nerd and kind of afraid that I am a scary stalker girl. Must get my head back on body and let him come to me.
Went out with Marie for dinner at Naked Fish. The salmon was actually not bad, even though I live in a landlocked state. The only kind of annoying thing was that we opted to sit outside on the patio and the when the breeze blew through the trees little bits of nasty nature fell into our plates. Kind of gross, but c'est la vie.
Afterward I went with Marie to her church services. She goes to first Presbyterian in Boulder. The speaker made some really interesting points and pretty much all of her talk could have been given over the pulpit at my church, so I was fairly comfortable. After the lesson, everyone got up and was mingling and talking. I didn't know anybody and it felt like the first time you show up at a singles ward. You're just standing around looking for anybody to talk to you and be nice. Luckily, a few people did so I felt alright about that. On the plus side, there was a far denser population of good looking boys in her church. That's always nice.
It started to rain pretty hard so we decided to skip the traditional trek to coldstone and I came home. On my way home I talked to this kid named Ryan on the phone. I invited him to go camping with my crew for the weekend. After finding out more details about the trip he decided not to come, which was a bummer, but the whole phone conversation really pumped me up. I was actually funny and interesting on the phone, and we talked for almost 15 minutes, which is really good for me since I hate talking the phone. Anyway, he practically asked me out for sometime next week. Stay posted for more info.
Also, my death crush from 5 years ago called me up to talk. I didn't get the phone, but he left a message. It was nice to hear his voice. I like talking to people from the past because it reminds me of how much I have grown up and improved.
Lastly, I called up my good friend Alan and convinced him to come camping with us this weekend. He hurt his knee, so he was considering not coming. Then, I reminded him that 1) we won't be doing any backpacking so there won't be two packs for him to carry and 2) he is going with me and I don’t really DO strenuous physical activity. I am really excited for him to meet all my friends and be social because sometimes I worry he is just sitting down there in New Mexico going to work every day, riding his dirt bike every evening and going to bed without having talked to a single person all day. Yikes.
So all this male attention is making me feel normal again. It is really hard for me to not have it since the last two years at BYU I was surrounded by guys and although it was all just platonic (except for Derek of course) I still miss having those kinds of friendships.
Went out with Marie for dinner at Naked Fish. The salmon was actually not bad, even though I live in a landlocked state. The only kind of annoying thing was that we opted to sit outside on the patio and the when the breeze blew through the trees little bits of nasty nature fell into our plates. Kind of gross, but c'est la vie.
Afterward I went with Marie to her church services. She goes to first Presbyterian in Boulder. The speaker made some really interesting points and pretty much all of her talk could have been given over the pulpit at my church, so I was fairly comfortable. After the lesson, everyone got up and was mingling and talking. I didn't know anybody and it felt like the first time you show up at a singles ward. You're just standing around looking for anybody to talk to you and be nice. Luckily, a few people did so I felt alright about that. On the plus side, there was a far denser population of good looking boys in her church. That's always nice.
It started to rain pretty hard so we decided to skip the traditional trek to coldstone and I came home. On my way home I talked to this kid named Ryan on the phone. I invited him to go camping with my crew for the weekend. After finding out more details about the trip he decided not to come, which was a bummer, but the whole phone conversation really pumped me up. I was actually funny and interesting on the phone, and we talked for almost 15 minutes, which is really good for me since I hate talking the phone. Anyway, he practically asked me out for sometime next week. Stay posted for more info.
Also, my death crush from 5 years ago called me up to talk. I didn't get the phone, but he left a message. It was nice to hear his voice. I like talking to people from the past because it reminds me of how much I have grown up and improved.
Lastly, I called up my good friend Alan and convinced him to come camping with us this weekend. He hurt his knee, so he was considering not coming. Then, I reminded him that 1) we won't be doing any backpacking so there won't be two packs for him to carry and 2) he is going with me and I don’t really DO strenuous physical activity. I am really excited for him to meet all my friends and be social because sometimes I worry he is just sitting down there in New Mexico going to work every day, riding his dirt bike every evening and going to bed without having talked to a single person all day. Yikes.
So all this male attention is making me feel normal again. It is really hard for me to not have it since the last two years at BYU I was surrounded by guys and although it was all just platonic (except for Derek of course) I still miss having those kinds of friendships.
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
The Bane of my Existence
Once again, the foul odor of cornuts is permeating the air I have to breathe. How can people enjoy eating those nasty little pieces of putrescence? I am considering turning this blog into an anti-cornuts awareness website where I lobby for the governmental ban on the production and consumption of this seemingly innocuous afternoon snack.
Being a "Joiner"
So last night was FHE, again. I went, again. None of my normal circle of friends from the whole past year went. I started getting frustrated because I didn't understand the mentality of just sitting around and not going. I had a really good time with the people that were there, even though they weren't my "closest" friends. Once again I realized the importance of being a "joiner." You miss so much in life if you think you are "too cool" for things. Almost anything can be fun if you show up with a positive attitude. I learned this from one of my greatest friends, Derek. I think this is an important quality, and one I value in others.
I spent a lot of time with this guy last night, and I think I feel the beginnings of a crush forming, which is exciting. Last night was the first time I didn't have one dream about my ex-boyfriend, and when I woke up in the morning I didn't think of him at all until I realized that I hadn't thought about him. It is true that finding another distraction helps you get over the previous one. Anyway, I think I am going to start a full out assault on this kid and see what happens. Wow, that sounds really scary. By "full out assault" I mean I'll call him up some time and see if we can hang out. I'm so aggressive.
Anyway, another interesting thing that happened to me yesterday: I was just sitting in my nice little cubical and all of this sudden this stranger came in. He said, "I know this may be a little forward, but would you be interested in having lunch with me some time this week? Tuesday or Thursday works best for me." I was really surprised and said sure, for Thursday. I'm really excited because stuff like this hardly ever happens to me. Plus, I'm always up for meeting new people. It is kind of hard for me to meet people outside of my church. It is just so easy to let church people be my entire social world. I need to remember to branch out and find other people who have my same interests. I need to not be socially lazy so much and be a little more proactive.
So tonight my friend Marie and I are going out to dinner at a new restaurant on Pearl called Naked Fish. I'm way excited because I haven't been able to hang out with her in FOREVER and she is one of the coolest chicks I know here.
This is my schedule for the day (just so all of you who aren't in corporate America understand how dumb working is)
7:30 arrive at work and begin checking email, reading friend's blogs, writing my own blog
8:20 make myself some hot chocolate and go talk to my co-worker about how dumb the software that we use is.
9:00 go to a mandatory meeting about Export control. I will probably spend the time during this meeting looking around to see if there is anyone cute in the whole auditorium, followed by a hour of trying not to doze off.
11:00 drive up to Boulder for my monthly group meeting
11:30 lunch and group meeting (I haven't gone to one of these in the year I've worked with the company were I didn't doze a little)
1:30 get back to my cubical and check my email again, and my voice mail. Probably spend the next 30 minutes answering the questions left on my machine.
2:00 meet with the guy who stood me up for the meeting yesterday to talk about design requirements for a heat exchanger I'm designing.
3:00 get started on my heat exchanger
4:00 check my email again, check my phone again, fill out my time card
4:30 go home.
All in all I got paid for 8 hours of work, but actually I only did 1 hour. Pretty impressive, huh.
I spent a lot of time with this guy last night, and I think I feel the beginnings of a crush forming, which is exciting. Last night was the first time I didn't have one dream about my ex-boyfriend, and when I woke up in the morning I didn't think of him at all until I realized that I hadn't thought about him. It is true that finding another distraction helps you get over the previous one. Anyway, I think I am going to start a full out assault on this kid and see what happens. Wow, that sounds really scary. By "full out assault" I mean I'll call him up some time and see if we can hang out. I'm so aggressive.
Anyway, another interesting thing that happened to me yesterday: I was just sitting in my nice little cubical and all of this sudden this stranger came in. He said, "I know this may be a little forward, but would you be interested in having lunch with me some time this week? Tuesday or Thursday works best for me." I was really surprised and said sure, for Thursday. I'm really excited because stuff like this hardly ever happens to me. Plus, I'm always up for meeting new people. It is kind of hard for me to meet people outside of my church. It is just so easy to let church people be my entire social world. I need to remember to branch out and find other people who have my same interests. I need to not be socially lazy so much and be a little more proactive.
So tonight my friend Marie and I are going out to dinner at a new restaurant on Pearl called Naked Fish. I'm way excited because I haven't been able to hang out with her in FOREVER and she is one of the coolest chicks I know here.
This is my schedule for the day (just so all of you who aren't in corporate America understand how dumb working is)
7:30 arrive at work and begin checking email, reading friend's blogs, writing my own blog
8:20 make myself some hot chocolate and go talk to my co-worker about how dumb the software that we use is.
9:00 go to a mandatory meeting about Export control. I will probably spend the time during this meeting looking around to see if there is anyone cute in the whole auditorium, followed by a hour of trying not to doze off.
11:00 drive up to Boulder for my monthly group meeting
11:30 lunch and group meeting (I haven't gone to one of these in the year I've worked with the company were I didn't doze a little)
1:30 get back to my cubical and check my email again, and my voice mail. Probably spend the next 30 minutes answering the questions left on my machine.
2:00 meet with the guy who stood me up for the meeting yesterday to talk about design requirements for a heat exchanger I'm designing.
3:00 get started on my heat exchanger
4:00 check my email again, check my phone again, fill out my time card
4:30 go home.
All in all I got paid for 8 hours of work, but actually I only did 1 hour. Pretty impressive, huh.
Monday, June 28, 2004
My Guestbook
Today two people, who I hardly get to talk to ever but I miss terribly, told me that they follow this thing every day. I had no idea they were interested in my exploits. Just for an ego boost for me, and for some information, why don't you take a minute to sign the guestbook and show me that you're reading. Thanks so much! (make sure to notice that my mom signed my book. At least she thinks I'm cool)
Weekend Report
Where to start...
The interview. I showed up a little early just to be on the safe side. I sat outside of the conference room getting a more and more nervous. Ten minutes after 3 this guy came up to me and showed me in. There were supposed to be 3 guys interviewing me, but only one showed up at first. He sat me down and talked to me for 45 minutes about the work they do. I was somewhat interested. Then, a second guy came in. The first guy left and the second guy repeated what the first guy had said almost word for word. After that experience I don't think I want the job because it sounds like a life sentence. Once I get in there and got trained I would never be able to leave or try something else. I'm just too new to engineering to limit my options and experiences like that. Plus, this morning I was talking to my friend Lenny and he made it seem like taking that job would be a really big mistake. He knew two other people who were being interviewed for the position and they are all experienced and know what they are doing. I was kind of flattered to be lumped into a group with those other people. Lenny said that there might be a job for me working with him on his program, so I'm going to feel that option out.
Friday morning we packed up and took off for Durango. The drive down was pretty exciting. We almost got Sarah to pee behind a building. That is one thing that kind of drives me nuts. People who have to pee every hour on road trips. Luckily, this time we didn't really have a deadline to get to where we were going, so it didn't really bother me. Durango is the most beautiful place yet I've seen in Colorado. Well, maybe a tie with Granby. The mountains are all around and it was so green from all the rain we've been having. Friday evening we walked around by Amy's cabin and then made hot dogs over the fire. All 5 of us tried to sleep in one bed, but in the middle of the night I gave up and moved over to the couch. I need to be able to feel like I can move in the night.
Saturday we got up, ate WAY to much breakfast, and took off on a hike. It started to hail while we were hiking and the hail was really sticky, so instead of bouncing off like normal hail, it stuck to everything and got us really wet. We almost missed the coolest waterfall because it wasn't next to the trail. On our way out we were walking at the same level as the water and about 5 minutes later we saw it about 100 ft below us. Sarah realized that there must have been a fall somewhere, so we left the trail, slid down a hill and walked up the river. We finally saw the fall in the distance and called back for everyone to follow us. Finding the waterfall made the trip worth the drive for me. It was SO cool (photos to come). Also on the way back, Sarah had to pee, so she let the group go ahead. There was a little tree bent over the path, and she decided to hurtle over it while running so she could catch up. Well, because she was focused on the obstacle in front of her, she tripped on a root and completely face planted on the path. She wasn't hurt, except for a couple of banged up knees. We made interesting life analogies about looking too far ahead and missing the important things in the present. We are nerds.
After we got back from the hike we went to Purgatory (a ski resort, not a Dante location) to see if we could ride the alpine slide. Because of bad weather, they had closed the lift, but to our surprise there was a really creepy Celtic festival going on. I love going to these weird things where normal people loose their minds, dress up in renaissance garb, and pretend they aren't the boring people that they are. There was a booth were a guy was selling real swords, and another one where you could look up your last name and see your coat of arms. I looked up my mom's maiden name and found that our family motto is: To hope for better things. I thought those were good words to live by. We went back to the cabin, and made chicken fajitas over the fire (SO GOOD). Sarah was the main chef for the meal, and while cooking one of the rocks of the fire circle flipped over and nailed her in the shin.
After dinner we went to the hot springs and relaxed in the water. The warm pool was my favorite, but I had to not think about the warm nasty water that didn't have any chlorine in it to kill all the grossness coming off the 20 other bodies in the pool. Although, since I was the one who hadn't showered that day and had hiked for the majority of it, my body was probably emanating the most grossness.
Sunday morning breakfast was my meal. I got up before everyone, started the fire and breakfast. Right when they all woke up I had it done. I would have been such a good pioneer mom. After breakfast of pancakes, sausage, hash browns, strawberries and peaches, we cleaned up the cabin. By this time I was feeling so gross and dirty it was unreal. We went to purgatory and since the weather was nice we got to ride down the alpine slide. Colin and I raced down and I schooled him. True, he was at a disadvantage because the grass we growing over his track. It whipped him in the face, causing him to loose his balance, and his shoes. We had to wait at the bottom for the next people to bring his shoes back down to him.
Then, we went out to X-rock and went climbing. It was really fun. I've done some indoor climbing, and I didn't really care much for it. This was my first time outdoors and it was GREAT! I got to do 3 climbs and from the top I could look out over the whole valley. It was just amazing. I wish I had a digital camera to take pictures of everything (hint hint). I had to use Abbey's harness and Sarah's shoes, which was a bummer. Maybe those will be my next purchases (or a good birthday present).
From X-rock we just packed it all up and drove home. I played the best prank of my life on the way home. Just after getting down from the major pass, we stopped at a little gas station. Amy went to the bathroom before me, and left the keys in the bathroom. I was just about to tell her that and give them back when the diabolical side of my brain kicked into gear. I slipped them into my pocket and said nothing. We went back to the car and Amy realized she didn’t have the keys. She started freaking out, and she and Sarah went back into the gas station to look for them. Then, Colin and I moved the car out of sight ran back to the station and told them that someone had stolen the car. The look on their faces was priceless. They really started freaking out and then Colin tossed them the keys. One of them said, "How did someone steal the car without the keys?" Then we told them that it was just behind the other building. It was great. I was completely satisfied.
Now I am back at work and my poor little body is SO tired. It's not used to this kind of physical strain.
The interview. I showed up a little early just to be on the safe side. I sat outside of the conference room getting a more and more nervous. Ten minutes after 3 this guy came up to me and showed me in. There were supposed to be 3 guys interviewing me, but only one showed up at first. He sat me down and talked to me for 45 minutes about the work they do. I was somewhat interested. Then, a second guy came in. The first guy left and the second guy repeated what the first guy had said almost word for word. After that experience I don't think I want the job because it sounds like a life sentence. Once I get in there and got trained I would never be able to leave or try something else. I'm just too new to engineering to limit my options and experiences like that. Plus, this morning I was talking to my friend Lenny and he made it seem like taking that job would be a really big mistake. He knew two other people who were being interviewed for the position and they are all experienced and know what they are doing. I was kind of flattered to be lumped into a group with those other people. Lenny said that there might be a job for me working with him on his program, so I'm going to feel that option out.
Friday morning we packed up and took off for Durango. The drive down was pretty exciting. We almost got Sarah to pee behind a building. That is one thing that kind of drives me nuts. People who have to pee every hour on road trips. Luckily, this time we didn't really have a deadline to get to where we were going, so it didn't really bother me. Durango is the most beautiful place yet I've seen in Colorado. Well, maybe a tie with Granby. The mountains are all around and it was so green from all the rain we've been having. Friday evening we walked around by Amy's cabin and then made hot dogs over the fire. All 5 of us tried to sleep in one bed, but in the middle of the night I gave up and moved over to the couch. I need to be able to feel like I can move in the night.
Saturday we got up, ate WAY to much breakfast, and took off on a hike. It started to hail while we were hiking and the hail was really sticky, so instead of bouncing off like normal hail, it stuck to everything and got us really wet. We almost missed the coolest waterfall because it wasn't next to the trail. On our way out we were walking at the same level as the water and about 5 minutes later we saw it about 100 ft below us. Sarah realized that there must have been a fall somewhere, so we left the trail, slid down a hill and walked up the river. We finally saw the fall in the distance and called back for everyone to follow us. Finding the waterfall made the trip worth the drive for me. It was SO cool (photos to come). Also on the way back, Sarah had to pee, so she let the group go ahead. There was a little tree bent over the path, and she decided to hurtle over it while running so she could catch up. Well, because she was focused on the obstacle in front of her, she tripped on a root and completely face planted on the path. She wasn't hurt, except for a couple of banged up knees. We made interesting life analogies about looking too far ahead and missing the important things in the present. We are nerds.
After we got back from the hike we went to Purgatory (a ski resort, not a Dante location) to see if we could ride the alpine slide. Because of bad weather, they had closed the lift, but to our surprise there was a really creepy Celtic festival going on. I love going to these weird things where normal people loose their minds, dress up in renaissance garb, and pretend they aren't the boring people that they are. There was a booth were a guy was selling real swords, and another one where you could look up your last name and see your coat of arms. I looked up my mom's maiden name and found that our family motto is: To hope for better things. I thought those were good words to live by. We went back to the cabin, and made chicken fajitas over the fire (SO GOOD). Sarah was the main chef for the meal, and while cooking one of the rocks of the fire circle flipped over and nailed her in the shin.
After dinner we went to the hot springs and relaxed in the water. The warm pool was my favorite, but I had to not think about the warm nasty water that didn't have any chlorine in it to kill all the grossness coming off the 20 other bodies in the pool. Although, since I was the one who hadn't showered that day and had hiked for the majority of it, my body was probably emanating the most grossness.
Sunday morning breakfast was my meal. I got up before everyone, started the fire and breakfast. Right when they all woke up I had it done. I would have been such a good pioneer mom. After breakfast of pancakes, sausage, hash browns, strawberries and peaches, we cleaned up the cabin. By this time I was feeling so gross and dirty it was unreal. We went to purgatory and since the weather was nice we got to ride down the alpine slide. Colin and I raced down and I schooled him. True, he was at a disadvantage because the grass we growing over his track. It whipped him in the face, causing him to loose his balance, and his shoes. We had to wait at the bottom for the next people to bring his shoes back down to him.
Then, we went out to X-rock and went climbing. It was really fun. I've done some indoor climbing, and I didn't really care much for it. This was my first time outdoors and it was GREAT! I got to do 3 climbs and from the top I could look out over the whole valley. It was just amazing. I wish I had a digital camera to take pictures of everything (hint hint). I had to use Abbey's harness and Sarah's shoes, which was a bummer. Maybe those will be my next purchases (or a good birthday present).
From X-rock we just packed it all up and drove home. I played the best prank of my life on the way home. Just after getting down from the major pass, we stopped at a little gas station. Amy went to the bathroom before me, and left the keys in the bathroom. I was just about to tell her that and give them back when the diabolical side of my brain kicked into gear. I slipped them into my pocket and said nothing. We went back to the car and Amy realized she didn’t have the keys. She started freaking out, and she and Sarah went back into the gas station to look for them. Then, Colin and I moved the car out of sight ran back to the station and told them that someone had stolen the car. The look on their faces was priceless. They really started freaking out and then Colin tossed them the keys. One of them said, "How did someone steal the car without the keys?" Then we told them that it was just behind the other building. It was great. I was completely satisfied.
Now I am back at work and my poor little body is SO tired. It's not used to this kind of physical strain.
Thursday, June 24, 2004
New Job
I didn't think that I wanted this new position in the detector lab so badly, but the closer my interview gets the more anxious I am. All three of the heads of the department are going to interview me at once, which will be a little intimidating. I can just picture it now. All three of them will be sitting behind a large shining mahogany desk staring down at me in a rickety rolling office chair with orange upholstery. The room will be a little dark and shadowy except for the one bright hanging lamp above my head. They will ask me questions about how to calculate the current flowing through a huge looped circuit and as the beads of perspiration start to develop on my forehead I will look to the ceiling trying to remember some fact I found trivial in school that would now impress them and show them I am worthy of such a prestigious position. Yikes!
My interview is at 3 this afternoon in Boulder, so by 2:30 this work week will be over for me. I'm heading down to Durango for the weekend with a group of friends, so there won't be any posts until I get back on Monday.
My interview is at 3 this afternoon in Boulder, so by 2:30 this work week will be over for me. I'm heading down to Durango for the weekend with a group of friends, so there won't be any posts until I get back on Monday.
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
Tuesday
I started reading Screwtape Letters again, and this time I read it with a pen. There are so many interesting ideas that are mentioned in there and for me it totally helps to make notes in the book. This may make me a bigger nerd than anyone originally supposed, but I'm willing to bare that burden. The book is WAY good, and I'd suggest it to anyone who wants a little introspection.
During work I had some interesting email correspondence with a friend. I'm so glad it happened, because it cleared up a lot of issues between us. Hopefully we can just move on now. The only thing is it would have been so much easier to just talk about it a month ago instead of me having to be a detective to try to understand how he felt. On the other hand, I probably needed the time to really come to grips with the truth.
After work I went shopping and found the cutest skirt and Nordstrom (my home away from home). I probably shouldn't have bought it since I still need to buy a washer and dryer, but it was just SO cute. Plus, I haven't bought any new clothes in over a month. What am I working so hard for if I don't allow myself some carefree spending?
I stopped by the men's department to see if my friend was at work. He is my crush's younger brother and I still haven’t yet decided if I want to pursue the older or younger version. Is the brother switch possible if I change my mind half way through the summer? He wasn't at work, so I didn't get to see him. Then, I stopped by Galyans to watch Eric ring people up for a minute. He is so proficient at that.
A big group of us went to dinner because a missionary that served in our ward came back for a visit. It was weird to see him as a normal kid and meet his family and stuff. I got sucked into a long conversation with his mom, which was really strange. She kept asking me questions and then she was listening so intently to my answers that it kind of creeped me out. I had a hard time maintaining eye contact. Anyway, when they left she gave me a big hug and then held me there while she told me that I had to come out to California and stay with them some time. I was like, "thanks, I will for sure," but I was thinking, "no way, you psycho."
During work I had some interesting email correspondence with a friend. I'm so glad it happened, because it cleared up a lot of issues between us. Hopefully we can just move on now. The only thing is it would have been so much easier to just talk about it a month ago instead of me having to be a detective to try to understand how he felt. On the other hand, I probably needed the time to really come to grips with the truth.
After work I went shopping and found the cutest skirt and Nordstrom (my home away from home). I probably shouldn't have bought it since I still need to buy a washer and dryer, but it was just SO cute. Plus, I haven't bought any new clothes in over a month. What am I working so hard for if I don't allow myself some carefree spending?
I stopped by the men's department to see if my friend was at work. He is my crush's younger brother and I still haven’t yet decided if I want to pursue the older or younger version. Is the brother switch possible if I change my mind half way through the summer? He wasn't at work, so I didn't get to see him. Then, I stopped by Galyans to watch Eric ring people up for a minute. He is so proficient at that.
A big group of us went to dinner because a missionary that served in our ward came back for a visit. It was weird to see him as a normal kid and meet his family and stuff. I got sucked into a long conversation with his mom, which was really strange. She kept asking me questions and then she was listening so intently to my answers that it kind of creeped me out. I had a hard time maintaining eye contact. Anyway, when they left she gave me a big hug and then held me there while she told me that I had to come out to California and stay with them some time. I was like, "thanks, I will for sure," but I was thinking, "no way, you psycho."
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Vegetable Car Derby
So last night for FHE we brought in a bunch of vegetables and toothpicks and had people make cars out of them. Then, we raced them down a partially collapsed table. I thought this activity was going to be lame, but it was actually pretty funny to see someone let a potato with 4 zucchini wheels go and see it come to a halt half way down the ramp. Plus, my new crush came and he was dreamy, so that made it worth while. I know I said I was going to avoid romantic entanglements this summer, but he is going back to school at the end of the summer, so this has the potential to be a fun summer fling. I was getting a pretty good vibe from across the room, but right after the activity was over I had to go to our weekly FHE committee meeting and by the time that was over he had left. Lame. I hope he comes to institute on Wednesday.
I also got my hair cut yesterday. It was REALLY cute and I wish I had a digital camera so I could show you all, but unfortunately I don't have one. (My birthday is coming up soon, hint, hint)
I also got my hair cut yesterday. It was REALLY cute and I wish I had a digital camera so I could show you all, but unfortunately I don't have one. (My birthday is coming up soon, hint, hint)
Monday, June 21, 2004
Father's Day
50 cool things about my dad:
1. My mom taught early morning seminary when my sister and I were in high school. Even though he didn't have to get up, he woke up at 5:30 and made us breakfast every morning. It was a huge sacrifice, but meant so much to me. To this day I don't really like pancakes because he once made them with 7-up and ruined them for life.
2. He watches C-span in the morning.
3. He wears a housecoat we affectionately refer to as "the coat of many colors" which isn't really long enough, and has no problem going out to get the mail wearing it.
4. When he gets mad coaching little league football he throws his hat to the ground and steps on it.
5. He can make friends with anyone.
6. He is the best pillow for naps during church.
7. Someone once said that the guy who marries me will be lucky, not because I am such a catch, but because my dad is so cool.
8. He gives the world's worst backrubs.
9. He thinks Elton John is the musical equal of Brahms and Beethoven.
10. He really loves my mom.
11. He has an amazing testimony of the gospel.
12. He makes the best fried potatoes.
13. He likes brussel sprouts almost as much as I do.
14. He can throw my brother over the back of the couch and never have to get up out of his seat.
15. He "gets allergies" when he says the words to give said the little stream.
16. He taught me to love football, even though I can't really throw a ball.
17. He thinks I am beautiful.
18. He knows all the words to the frist line of a million songs.
19. He always sees the good in people.
20. He is one of the hardest working people I know.
21. He can professionally install carpet.
22. He always buys treats at the movies.
23. He totally pulls off the "blonde" hairs that are starting to sprout up.
24. He is a total sucker for his grandkids.
25. He is the best dancer ever, (to see what he dances like, just watch Jack Black in School of Rock).
26. He is personally watching the career of Washington State Football player Jeremy Williams to make sure he doesn't get overlooked.
27. He has always been great to my boyfriends, even if he doesn't really like them.
28. He can build a really great fence.
29. His grass looks better than the neighbor's who had it professionally planted.
30. He thinks it is cool that my mom is a garden fanatic.
31. He always puts up Christmas lights.
32. He was a great example of strength and reliance on God's love to me when my aunt died.
33. He loves unconditionally.
34. He is always the one willing to sacrifice for family.
35. He and I have the same vacation style (we both like to DO things on a vacation instead of sit there and relax)
36. He encourages me to try new things, even if I am afraid I'll be bad at them.
37. He always thinks I am popular, even though I'm really not.
38. He thinks I'm funny.
39. He attended every violin concert while I was growing up, even thought he probably wished they were football games.
40. He thinks I'm a rocket scientist.
41. His favorite store at the mall is Williams & Sonoma.
42. He makes the best muffins.
43. Someday he will own a sports car.
44. He can play the harmonica like a champ!
45. He is my personal hero.
46. He is on the Washington State alumni football club, but went to Utah State.
47. He drives a tool box on wheels, every guy's dream.
48. He can fix pretty much anything, given enough time.
49. He raised two of the girliest girls on the planet.
50. I love him SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much.
1. My mom taught early morning seminary when my sister and I were in high school. Even though he didn't have to get up, he woke up at 5:30 and made us breakfast every morning. It was a huge sacrifice, but meant so much to me. To this day I don't really like pancakes because he once made them with 7-up and ruined them for life.
2. He watches C-span in the morning.
3. He wears a housecoat we affectionately refer to as "the coat of many colors" which isn't really long enough, and has no problem going out to get the mail wearing it.
4. When he gets mad coaching little league football he throws his hat to the ground and steps on it.
5. He can make friends with anyone.
6. He is the best pillow for naps during church.
7. Someone once said that the guy who marries me will be lucky, not because I am such a catch, but because my dad is so cool.
8. He gives the world's worst backrubs.
9. He thinks Elton John is the musical equal of Brahms and Beethoven.
10. He really loves my mom.
11. He has an amazing testimony of the gospel.
12. He makes the best fried potatoes.
13. He likes brussel sprouts almost as much as I do.
14. He can throw my brother over the back of the couch and never have to get up out of his seat.
15. He "gets allergies" when he says the words to give said the little stream.
16. He taught me to love football, even though I can't really throw a ball.
17. He thinks I am beautiful.
18. He knows all the words to the frist line of a million songs.
19. He always sees the good in people.
20. He is one of the hardest working people I know.
21. He can professionally install carpet.
22. He always buys treats at the movies.
23. He totally pulls off the "blonde" hairs that are starting to sprout up.
24. He is a total sucker for his grandkids.
25. He is the best dancer ever, (to see what he dances like, just watch Jack Black in School of Rock).
26. He is personally watching the career of Washington State Football player Jeremy Williams to make sure he doesn't get overlooked.
27. He has always been great to my boyfriends, even if he doesn't really like them.
28. He can build a really great fence.
29. His grass looks better than the neighbor's who had it professionally planted.
30. He thinks it is cool that my mom is a garden fanatic.
31. He always puts up Christmas lights.
32. He was a great example of strength and reliance on God's love to me when my aunt died.
33. He loves unconditionally.
34. He is always the one willing to sacrifice for family.
35. He and I have the same vacation style (we both like to DO things on a vacation instead of sit there and relax)
36. He encourages me to try new things, even if I am afraid I'll be bad at them.
37. He always thinks I am popular, even though I'm really not.
38. He thinks I'm funny.
39. He attended every violin concert while I was growing up, even thought he probably wished they were football games.
40. He thinks I'm a rocket scientist.
41. His favorite store at the mall is Williams & Sonoma.
42. He makes the best muffins.
43. Someday he will own a sports car.
44. He can play the harmonica like a champ!
45. He is my personal hero.
46. He is on the Washington State alumni football club, but went to Utah State.
47. He drives a tool box on wheels, every guy's dream.
48. He can fix pretty much anything, given enough time.
49. He raised two of the girliest girls on the planet.
50. I love him SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much.
Friday, June 18, 2004
Good News
Today my functional manager called and told me that I might be moving to a different department beginning in July. I am really excited about this because it is a chance to learn a completely different discipline. And, since it is completely different for me, they won't be expecting much. I can impress them with how fast I can pick up on things. The position is going to be in the detector lab here at my company. I'll probably spend a year learning all about how to design them and how to use them. Then, I'll probably start doing a lot of traveling to vendors, and being leased out to different programs to give them design advice as an "expert" in the field. I am way excited. The only hitch is that they leader of the lab wanted a senior designer (which I am far from). My functional thought that what I lacked in experience I could make up with enthusiasm. The other hitch is that there are a few people up for the job, so I have to interview to see if I am the best fit for the job. I really hope I get it, as it seems like something small enough within the company that I could really excel at. Just thought I'd share my good news with everyone.
Be prepared
Alright, so the quasi date was supposed to happen last night. I worked until 5 (way later than usual) and then went home. It was a downpour, so I had already decided to bail on the invitation to play Frisbee golf. At around 6 the guy called me and asked me if I still wanted to go. I politely declined citing the torrential downpour as my excuse. Plus, I just started a book that is proving to be way cooler than I thought it would be. This is how the conversation went:
Him: so we are probably going to play at 7
Me: Umm, I don't really think I want to run around in the rain
Him: yeah, that’s what I told the guys, but they are still going to play so....
Me: Well, I really don't want to be outside, so maybe we can just hang out some other time. Thanks so much for inviting me, but I just don't think so. (this is me trying to end the conversation)
Him: Well, how was work today (this was him trying to keep the conversation going)
Me: Not bad, (me confused at why he didn't take the hint that I didn't want to talk more)
What proceeded was about 20 minutes of him trying to "get to know me" like we were on a date or something. You have to understand that I HATE talking on the phone. I just can't do it. It was bad. I kept trying to make jokes and after everyone there was a little pause of silence like he didn't think they were funny. The whole vibe I was getting was that he was really interested in me. I just don't want to lead this kid on at all because he is the type of guy who is just so nice I would never want to hurt his feelings. Also, he is too nice, I would probably never want to date him either. I'm just trying to avoid all romantic entanglements this summer.
So when I finally got off the phone I was drained. I tried to tell my roommate about it, but she was busy falling asleep while cuddling with her boyfriend, so she really didn’t give me the sympathetic response that I needed. I tried to relate this concern of someone maybe liking me and me not liking them to Eric, but he was of no help either. He just said, "Well, I don't know what to tell you." Maybe it is still too soon to go to him for guy advice.
Anyway, I read the whole evening and then went over to steal some of Brett's butterscotch chip cookies. They were delish!
Him: so we are probably going to play at 7
Me: Umm, I don't really think I want to run around in the rain
Him: yeah, that’s what I told the guys, but they are still going to play so....
Me: Well, I really don't want to be outside, so maybe we can just hang out some other time. Thanks so much for inviting me, but I just don't think so. (this is me trying to end the conversation)
Him: Well, how was work today (this was him trying to keep the conversation going)
Me: Not bad, (me confused at why he didn't take the hint that I didn't want to talk more)
What proceeded was about 20 minutes of him trying to "get to know me" like we were on a date or something. You have to understand that I HATE talking on the phone. I just can't do it. It was bad. I kept trying to make jokes and after everyone there was a little pause of silence like he didn't think they were funny. The whole vibe I was getting was that he was really interested in me. I just don't want to lead this kid on at all because he is the type of guy who is just so nice I would never want to hurt his feelings. Also, he is too nice, I would probably never want to date him either. I'm just trying to avoid all romantic entanglements this summer.
So when I finally got off the phone I was drained. I tried to tell my roommate about it, but she was busy falling asleep while cuddling with her boyfriend, so she really didn’t give me the sympathetic response that I needed. I tried to relate this concern of someone maybe liking me and me not liking them to Eric, but he was of no help either. He just said, "Well, I don't know what to tell you." Maybe it is still too soon to go to him for guy advice.
Anyway, I read the whole evening and then went over to steal some of Brett's butterscotch chip cookies. They were delish!
Thursday, June 17, 2004
The exciting life of a singleton
Yesterday after work I went to my fiddling lesson. My teacher informed me that she was going to movie to Idaho in August to be with her boyfriend. This came as a total shock to me, and it really sucks because I am just getting confident in my playing and switching teachers is always bad. Plus, the closest teacher is out in Longmont, which is a freaking far drive. Also, I seriously doubt that anyone could be as cool as my present teacher. She is my same age, and has won the national fiddling competition a bunch of times. I like knowing that I am learning from the best. Oh well, the change will be good for her because she has never lived outside of Colorado. I think people need to experience actually living in a lot of different places before they can really make an informed choice about where they want to be. Not that I'm really following that idea but.....
So last night at institute the teacher asked me to prepare a 5 minute discussion for class next week. The topic is "what advice I would like a friend to give a guy who was trying to date me." Yeah, loaded question. About two weeks ago he had us write our advice to the opposite gender on a sheet of paper and hand it in so he could use it for the lesson. I was still a little upset with how my relationship with my ex-boyfriend had ended, so I kind of went off on the paper. Anyway, we were supposed to write our names on the sheet if we wanted to present our ideas to the class. I most definitely did NOT write my name down. Unfortunately I think I was the only one in the class who actually took the exercise to heart, so the teacher asked me to talk to the class. The more I think about it, the more I really have nothing to say. The teacher confessed to me that there are a lot of guys in that class who are genuinely clueless about how to act with girls, and there are a few who feel that way specifically toward me. Too bad I know which ones feel that way about me, and you can read about them in the "weirdos coming out of the woodwork" post from a week ago. I don't want to get up there and be like, "just be a nice guy and some girl will give you a chance" when I fully know that I would never be that girl for most of them. It is hard to admit, but sometimes there just needs to be a spark there. If there isn't, it probably won’t ever happen.
After class I went to the movies with my friend Brett. I totally love this kid. He is so funny and interesting and down to earth. But, alas, no spark. We saw the movie SAVED!. It was kind of interesting. Seeing it as a devout Christian, I'm sure it was different for me than for most of the audience. And, I had to think a while to decide whether I liked it or not. In the end I decided that I did. Beware, it is a little blasphemous, and if you can't laugh at yourself you probably shouldn't see it.
Oh, I almost forgot. I gave my number to someone yesterday. It was quite the rush since it hasn't happened to me in quite a while. There is a surprising amount of power in that action.
So last night at institute the teacher asked me to prepare a 5 minute discussion for class next week. The topic is "what advice I would like a friend to give a guy who was trying to date me." Yeah, loaded question. About two weeks ago he had us write our advice to the opposite gender on a sheet of paper and hand it in so he could use it for the lesson. I was still a little upset with how my relationship with my ex-boyfriend had ended, so I kind of went off on the paper. Anyway, we were supposed to write our names on the sheet if we wanted to present our ideas to the class. I most definitely did NOT write my name down. Unfortunately I think I was the only one in the class who actually took the exercise to heart, so the teacher asked me to talk to the class. The more I think about it, the more I really have nothing to say. The teacher confessed to me that there are a lot of guys in that class who are genuinely clueless about how to act with girls, and there are a few who feel that way specifically toward me. Too bad I know which ones feel that way about me, and you can read about them in the "weirdos coming out of the woodwork" post from a week ago. I don't want to get up there and be like, "just be a nice guy and some girl will give you a chance" when I fully know that I would never be that girl for most of them. It is hard to admit, but sometimes there just needs to be a spark there. If there isn't, it probably won’t ever happen.
After class I went to the movies with my friend Brett. I totally love this kid. He is so funny and interesting and down to earth. But, alas, no spark. We saw the movie SAVED!. It was kind of interesting. Seeing it as a devout Christian, I'm sure it was different for me than for most of the audience. And, I had to think a while to decide whether I liked it or not. In the end I decided that I did. Beware, it is a little blasphemous, and if you can't laugh at yourself you probably shouldn't see it.
Oh, I almost forgot. I gave my number to someone yesterday. It was quite the rush since it hasn't happened to me in quite a while. There is a surprising amount of power in that action.
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Bad news
So what I thought might possibly be a date definitely is not. The guy who asked me out on Monday just emailed me and made it very clear that it was going to be me and 4 guys. Also, he just wanted to let me know that if I wasn't comfortable with that, he wouldn’t be offended if I didn't want to go. I am so confused. The way I interpret that is, "oh no, now she is going to think this is a date and I DO NOT want to go out with her at all, even if someone paid me."
So much for the self esteem boost.
So much for the self esteem boost.
What do you think of this?
"What we can and should change is ourselves: our impatience our egoism (spiritual egoism too), or sense of hurt, our lack of love and forbearance. Any other change in this world, even when done for the best intentions, I consider as useless." -Herman Hesse (1919)
My life is an endless cycle of bad movies
So last night my roommate and I went to see Stepford Wives. This movie was horrible. The story had some potential, but it just didn't hook me at all. Plus, half way through the movie, the sound cut out and the "movie tunes" started playing. Maybe I missed a critical part of the plot during those 3 minutes, but I seriously doubt it. The only character I really found entertaining was the flamboyantly gay guy. Other than that the movie was slow, predictable, and shallow.
In an attempt to break the cycle of bad movies, I went to Target and bought 50 first dates. Eric came over and watched it with me. It was kind of weird because when I saw it in the theaters we were together and holding hands and stealing looks at each other during cute scenes. This time when love scenes came on I had to keep telling myself that we were over and that it is better this way. Which it really is....I'm sure....at least I think so anyway.
So here is what not to do. Yesterday I told my stand in boss that I don't have any work. Since my real boss is away on vacation for the week, I am kind of leaderless. Anyway, today my stand in boss gave me the task of updating the weekly drawing tree. This doesn't sound like any fun at all. It will probably take me 15 minutes once I really sit down and do it, and I have nothing else to do for the rest of the day. I really need to get on a new program here at my company. This one is slowly draining my life force away.
In an attempt to break the cycle of bad movies, I went to Target and bought 50 first dates. Eric came over and watched it with me. It was kind of weird because when I saw it in the theaters we were together and holding hands and stealing looks at each other during cute scenes. This time when love scenes came on I had to keep telling myself that we were over and that it is better this way. Which it really is....I'm sure....at least I think so anyway.
So here is what not to do. Yesterday I told my stand in boss that I don't have any work. Since my real boss is away on vacation for the week, I am kind of leaderless. Anyway, today my stand in boss gave me the task of updating the weekly drawing tree. This doesn't sound like any fun at all. It will probably take me 15 minutes once I really sit down and do it, and I have nothing else to do for the rest of the day. I really need to get on a new program here at my company. This one is slowly draining my life force away.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
