Category Archives: friends

diva dilemmas….

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And I’m not saying that in the “I’m an amazing singer” kind of way, but more in the “I refuse to give up the mic” kind of way. Continuing in the new tradition that I have created of making every weekend worth being single, we had a party last night at the OL. “We” being the roomies, although it’s more of a Sarah and Richard thing…I just provided the location. Anyway, it was a theme party (I would put the invite on, but it has my address, and, well, you can never be too careful…which makes me sad because Richard did a great job with it) and “Hitch” was the theme (we like movie themes). The best part is, we never got to watching the movie and here’s why: We were singing (and DDR–ing…but I didn’t get any pics of that). Richard brought his karaoke machine…well, not a machine really, just microphones with chips inside that plug right into the t.v. (can I just reiterate that I love technology?), and we rocked the house. The last party…themed “Nacho” and we did watch the movie…I had no voice and was unable to participate in the karaoke portion of the evening. Well, I made up for it last night. Thank goodness there were fewer people than expected because it could have been ugly, except that we were all missing Jennifer and Sungti…the Hsu’s need to come back from Taiwan.

I would try and explain all of the fun that went on, but it’s one of those “you had to be there” things. Seriously, though, I am in love with Richard’s 2,000 songs and I think he should let me borrow them. I let him borrow movies.
And while, as mentioned, I was quite the diva, that only happened later on. I tried to share in the beginning, but as the night wore on and fatigue set in, I just couldn’t control myself. Another reason not to hang out when tired…it only leads to trouble. Oh, and did I mention that we combined Moods with karaoke for a bit? It was fantastic…too difficult to do for a long period, but definitely good for a few laughs. So, last night was fabulous (although I am EXHAUSTED and I have, once again, done nothing productive over the weekend) and what I realized, upon further reflection which always happens as I am extremely introspective, is that I am finally back to me. Not just back to me, but better. This is the person I have always wanted to be. No, not the Diva part…but the fun, carefree, semi-spaz who can enjoy people and laugh at herself. I really like me and that is a wonderful feeling!P.S. In case you were wondering…Richard really stole the show. (Literally…he wasn’t sharing either…but I guess he can’t really steal it since the karaoke does belong to him.) And I don’t think Richard reads my blog, but just in case…Richard, we could all tell that you wanted to want to share. 😉

Aqualung and Pete Yorn…my life is good!

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I was reading my friend’s blog the other day and she was talking about being a single, LDS woman with a career. (If you want to check it out, her blog link is over to the right–katie) and it made think a little bit about my life and where I’m at and how I feel about being 29 and single and a member of a church that is centered around families. And I have to tell you that I feel pretty good…great, actually. Not that I don’t want to get married…someday, but my life is so fun right now. Not that people who are married don’t have fun (they do…and Jennifer and Sungti are great examples because they are uber-cool married people), but I love that this last Thursday night, I could just go to a concert without worrying about a babysitter, if my husband would want to go with me, and if not, would he care that I was going, no one to ask for permission to go or spend the money on it. I guess, what I’m trying to say is, I just appreciate being able to do these things now. And, Utah is pretty cool if you just look for things to do besides going to a movie (not that I don’t love movies…but, there are things to do besides movies).

Moving on to my real subject…Thursday night I went with the roomies and Kelly (supercool friend of Sarah’s who just moved here from Chicago and also happens to work with the roomies–yes, I feel a little left out) up to Park City to see Aqualung and Pete Yorn at Suede and it was fabulous. I wish that one could adequately describe a live performance so that others could experience it, but it’s just not possible…so buy some tickets and go to a concert yourself.

Besides the music being amazing, we were at the very front, so we also had an amazing view. Our feet killed afterwards and we couldn’t hear very well for a bit, but it was totally worth it.

friends and blessings…

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I know this is such a cliche thing to say, but really, I have fantastic friends. And I wrote this great post about them and then my internet froze and I lost it…hopefully I can recapture the thoughts and feelings.

Today was a hard day. A really, really hard day. This year has been a hard year, but it kind of comes and goes. Well, today the hard came with a vengeance. And, being the religious person I am, I fully believe that there are forces working against me that want me to fail, to give up, to quit. And that’s where my friends (some of my most favorite blessings) come in.

Along with the difficulty of today came some great support. My former roommate (and present friend) emailed me about her mission call. She’s going to the Washington, D.C. North Mission, Spanish speaking. I am so excited for her. She emailed me and I had to call her just to tell her how excited I am.

Later, my sister called me at work (she ranks in the BFF category) and, even though I wasn’t able to vent my frustrations to her (for those of you who don’t me, I’m a cryer and, well, that’s just not appropriate at work–not to mention the fact that there are certain things I don’t always share with her), it was just nice to hear her voice.

And then, when the hard came pouring over me, deluge style, I picked up and flipped open my phone (such a crazy world) and called one of my dearest friends. She didn’t answer, so I left a sad, pathetic message and she called me back about 20 minutes later and I got to cry and be angry and hurt and scared and bitter and all of those things that we don’t let most people see and say things that would shock those people who never see that part of me. I felt better. My problems weren’t solved. There’s not really a solution other than time. But, in the meantime, I was functional again.

And, as I was laying down, hoping the Advil would kick in so that I could go for a nice, long run, another friend called and we were able to have a good conversation about life and its trials and blessings. And then, because I didn’t feel like my venting would be complete without the inclusion of three more friends, I was able to email them and get it all out.

I have great friends. What I have realized in my old age and maturity (okay, the reality is I’m not that old or mature) is that friendships, the ones that last, do so because they are symbiotic. I knew I could call up my friend today because I have made lots of deposits into our friendship account, and even if I did overdraft at some point (which I have on occasion), she knows I’m good for it.

Friends can’t always solve my problems (nor do I think that they should) or keep me from ever being hurt or crying, but it sure is nice to know that they are there when I need to cry, or yell, or scream, or be silly, or laugh, or just be. And, when I feel like there are so many things wrong with me, they are there to tell me to “shut right up” and move on, or that I’ll be okay, or that I’m being ridiculous…or any number of other things.

And, when I’m missing my mom (let’s face it, when you have a good relationship with your mom, even if she was a little nutty, there’s no one who can compare to her), I know that I have friends who love and support me the way that she would if she were here.

How lucky am I?!

2007 edition of "Getting to Know Your Friends"

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1. What time did you get up this morning? 6:30…I slept in.

2. What are you listening to right now? Joshua Radin…my new favorite (“The Fear You Won’t Fall” and “What if You” in particular). I’m going to see him in concert on Thursday at the Urban Lounge in SLC with Sarah. My life is pretty fun!

3. What’s the next trip you have planned? I’m heading to Cali for President’s Day weekend to visit my sister, Erika, run through the California hills, walk on the beach (if I’m lucky) and visit Berkeley and Stanford…not that I have a hope of getting in to either one or that I necessarily want to go to either of them, but I do want to visit.

4. Who’s the friend you’ve had the longest? Besides my sisters, Ashley. Although, I didn’t really become friends with my sisters until a bit later, so Ashley wins hands down.

5. When was the last time you cried? Sunday, while reading my sister’s answer to this question…and then again while watching “Because I Said So” which I don’t recommend, but I’m a sap, so any mother daughter seen gets me. And I almost cried when I ate it running on Saturday, which is pretty big, because I rarely cry from physical pain.

6. What are you most thankful for right now? That life’s events brought me back to P-town. It’s where I’m supposed to be right now.

7. Chocolate or Vanilla? If you know me, you know the answer to this question…chocolate!!!

8. What color are your eyes? Green with cerulean rims…isn’t cerulean a fabulous word?

9. What color is your hair? Bottle blond…naturally, dark blond/light brown now.

10. How tall are you? 5’8″ to 5’9″…I’m not positive.

11. What’s your favorite fruit? Today, I think it’s a peach…but I also love strawberries, nectarines, blueberries, raspberries and pineapple.

12. What did you do this weekend? Ran 11 miles (that’s right-11), homework, dinner and a movie, Superbowl party, C.E.S. Fireside. That about covers it.

13. What’s your favorite place that you’ve ever been? My backyard growing up…there’s something so magical about those memories…oh, and Puerto Rico was pretty cool, too. I’ve been lots of amazing places, but my happiest memories are in my own backyard.

14. Who’s the last person you talked to on the phone? Some woman at the New York City CVB…research for a class…my life is so exciting.

15. What’s your current relationship status? Single and happy…and always content to window shop the eye-candy. 🙂

16. What’s the last movie you watched at home? The new version of Pride and Prejudice. While I love the old version, I must have loaned it to someone, so I settled for the new…and truthfully, the music makes it almost as good as the old.

17. Plans for the weekend? Indian food and High School Musical. Sungti leaves for Taiwan tomorrow, so Sarah, Jennifer and I finally get to have our High School Musical screening. I’ve never seen it, but apparently it’s both amazingly cheezy and amazingly good.

18. What size shoe do you wear? 8 – 9, depends on the shoe.

19. Favorite beverage? Diet coke…Sonic.

20. Summer plans? Study for the GMAT and play on the lake (well, reservoir…I’m taking advantage of my dad’s wave runners and the fact that I live at home…and I’m no longer in skin care, so I can get some kind of tan this summer…although I don’t want to get too many wrinkles).

21. How many towns have you lived in? 12, six in the U.S. (including Hawaii) and six in Europe…I’m pretty spoiled.

22. Most memorable birthday…sixteen. Not because of the typical sixteen-year-old stuff, but because I remember perfectly what my mom got me…an Anne Klein watch and a navy blue dress that I loved. More than anything, though, I loved walking into my bedroom when I got home from school and seeing the gifts on my bed because she remember my birthday. It will be fun, someday, to have someone in my life who buys me “surprise” gifts…that hasn’t really happened since my mom died. Well, that’s not entirely true, but someone who loves me as much as my mom does.

Okay…I think that’s all for tonight. Time for me to go to bed.

friday night confessions…sarah style

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My friend, Sarah, has a blog (see the link to the left) called “Confessions of a Twenty-Something Drama Queen” where she “confesses”, usually in lists of 10. And I like it, so I’m copying her today.

1. Work has been super busy this last week as I have been down two (sometimes three) employees over the last two weeks (I only have three) and, while it has been busy, I have been enjoying the fact that I was able to go it alone and I am loving the praises of me that are being sung. It’s true…I love being good at my job.

2. I went and saw Freedom Writers tonight and I really enjoyed it. Anytime I watch those types of inspirational movies (kids make it out of gangs to succeed) it makes me want to do something like that with my life…then I think about how long it would take me to get my teaching certificate, what it would cost and what I would make…and, well, I change my mind. But I do volunteer…or I’m trying to.

3. The cd exchange (you can read about that chez Sarah as well) is one of the best ideas ever. I came home to a new cd tonight (I’m listening to it right now) and it was such a happy surprise. I love music.

4. One of my student employees got back from her extended break today and I was so excited. As much as I love being praised, I like being able to get all of my job done even more. Plus, she’s just a fabulous employee…and she brought me gifts and who doesn’t love anything from Marks & Spencer, seriously?

5. I’m supposed to run 7 miles tomorrow, but I don’t really want to. I was using my consulting class as an excuse not to (we were going to meet tomorrow), but now we’re not meeting tomorrow, so I really have no excuse.

6. I’m addicted to Veronica Mars and can’t wait for the new episode on Tuesday. And I’m excited that I’m hooking other people. It’s a very clever show.

7. I love my accounting class. It’s how my mind works. I think business is the way to go for me.

8. I am loving my new haircut and color (pics coming soon). It is so fun. I’m figuring out all of the different ways I can style it. Today it was diffused with some barrel curls–super sassy, and who doesn’t love a sassy blond…and I don’t just mean the hair?

9. We are covering poetry in my English class and I am less than excited. I wish that I would have just taken the final the first go around of this class…although I do love my professor, so that helps.

10. I’m so excited to sleep in tomorrow. I can’t sleep super late because I have hours of homework and I’m going out tomorrow night, but I will love not hearing an alarm at 5:30. Happy, happy thoughts…and on that note, I’m off to bed.