UVU: Summer University 2010

So I was thinking I should explain... Every year we have a few days that are called "Summer University" for all the faculty and staff at UVU. We go to classes (ranging from Google analytics to gardening), have keynote speakers, do a bunch of service projects (well, everyone picks one... I went to this place where they rescue animals and thought it would be grooming horses and building fences--instead it was mostly throwing things away and dumping buckets of fecal matter--no joke--I thought I would die from the stench), and yeah. They do a different movie every year and since it is for the staff and faculty, there are a ton of inside jokes. Things that make this movie hilarious for us, but maybe just funny for outsiders to see my double chin and really terrible acting chops. In my defense, they literally handing me a script, had me glance through it, and then started shooting. ha. Some of the jokes: We had an issue where Norton Anti-virus was installing an update that our computer treated as a worm and so all the computers around campus were shut down for a few hours. I went shopping. Also, President Holland has joked about making his son, 5 year old Danny, the new VP for my division (Dev't) because he set up a lemonade stand without his parents knowing and was charging "3 20's" for a glass of severely watered down Crystal Light. The surplus sale is another joke--the people that go really are rabid. I think my FAVORITE joke is the fact that I had to act like a love-hungry, ditzy girl who has never held hands (oh, and the fact that I'd never met this dude before I had to say I loved him... that's one way to do it!). Sorry I have been pretty lame at updating this! I've been pretty much busy non-stop lately. Tennis lessons with BYU's men's tennis assistant coach (that's a fun story--he saw me playing and liked my backhand). New calling that is pretty busy and takes every Wednesday from 6-10 pm or so. Nutty. Serves me right for not really attending institute. New ward. Uh, yeah. Just lots of random. :)

Oh man! Behind AGAIN...

I'm sorry that I'm not very consistent when it comes to this blog. So far I've liked being THIRTY (though saying that is still kinda crazy). I've been seeing a neurologist/pain specialist and a physical therapist that both specialize in migraines and have felt SO much better. Migraines are down drastically. Yay! Hopefully I'll be able to stay up late sometime in the near future (as that is still the WORST trigger and there are some parties that are really hard for me to resist). :) All in time I guess. I definitely have realized that everyone has different struggles in life, and if mine means I can still do practically everything but just have to watch how much sleep I get and what I eat (no ice cream, sigh), then I'm doing a-okay. Plus, I'll finally have the whole stinking surgery paid for NEXT MONTH. I think I'll take a trip to celebrate the additional income coming to my pocket, before I shift a large portion to paying off my school loan (which is really measly, but I haven't worried since I got in with a ridiculously low interest rate). Jess and Jennie, we still need to organize a reunion. And my roomie might be getting married in Oklahoma. Which if that happens, I'm going to intrude on you Melissa.

The weather here is back to it's inconsistent self. Which means that I've been playing tennis in the sun the day after a snowstorm. I've got some decent snowboarding in--I am finally proficient enough to work on my technique... which is pretty horrible currently. ha! Here's some pictures of Eric's rugby game, my annual age pizza with my cute roommate Erin. And some boarding with Shane (a co-worker) and Erin.

Love!

Birthday things and Berkeley

So, after I got back from snowboarding (I wish, wish, wish I was good enough to take pictures while I was boarding... but not quite), Joelle had said stop by her place for cake and dinner. Unfortunately, when I got there Jo was sick. Super sick. And so Stevan made me a cake. This is his glorious rendition of a family classic. Plus tulips from dad. THEN the rest are from my Berkeley trip. Mom took me to a swanky dinner and to see Wicked (so good) at the Orpheum. Then Auntie O took mom and I on the train ride up in Tilden Park. Pretty funny since we were the only people there without little children. So I made faces to make up for it. Mom and I hiked up in Tilden (ruining my favorite white sneakers) and then took a Sunday stroll at the Berkeley Marina (where the parents had their wedding reception). Last but not least, we took pictures with Nanny--we are soooo related. Loved it!

SF

Catch up (not Ketchup)

I'm lousy at keeping this updated. Christmas was wonderful with family. I'll include pictures of some of it:

Stone Mountain

You can see mom's pictures (which include some lovely ones from Christmas morning--eek) here:

2009-12-25

January was good too! And February! And I'm THIRTY now, officially. That doesn't feel weird that I'm in my third decade--but it IS weird to say still. Before I took off for my birthday, I went to lunch with three of my favorite co-workers:


For my birthday I had planned on going out to NYC with mums and Matt (who also just had a birthday), but mums is back in Berkeley with Nanny so that didn't work out. Instead... I spent the night before with Joelle and her crew and then for my actual birthday I went up to Park City with some super cute girls and fun guys and we went snowboarding at The Canyons--gorgeous snow, view, day... It was so nice to be with friends. I even stayed the night up there--after a delicious dinner which Lauren and Jackie came up for, the warmth of the sauna and hot-tub, and good company. (Note: my face is totally wind burned but I got the s-turns DOWN thanks to Jessica, the kindest girl I know.)


The next day we hit the outlets and I only bought socks. So proud of myself for being frugal. The only REASON I was frugal is...

I leave TODAY to go to Berkeley for the weekend! YAY! I get to see Nanny and Auntie O and Mom. And Mom is taking me to Wicked! (which she shouldn't since mom and dad got me a cool flip recorder for my birthday--we NEVER get big gifts so I was pretty shocked). OH! And dad got me flowers. Maybe I'll be 30 again next year... ;)

The most wonderful time of the year...

I leave TOMORROW for North Carolina. And it is supposed to storm big time--so pray for me not to get stuck/stranded... Weird things always happen to me when that happens. Plus my flight is late and me+no sleep=insane migraines. So we really don't want that... Especially since I get to see Mom! Dad! Scott! Matt! Yay! (Sad that it isn't more of us, but I have seen Jo & her crew several times lately--including after spending a few hours snowboarding by her *new* place--and when she and Eric came down to support me singing for a Stake Fireside--kind of a big thing because my stake is enormous! And they brought a bookcase that I've been waiting for which has made my room once again an orderly place.)
I *also* got to go to lunch with Leslie yesterday. Made my week SOOOO much better. I sure love that chica. I was thinking of these pictures and thinking how Christmas is going to be quite a bit smaller this year. Still lovely. But quieter. And also glad that I have recovered completely from that nasty surgery last year. Today I went to a pain specialist, so the goal is to GET BETTER. Good goal, eh?We had a gift exchange as roomies last night and it was so fun. Just to spend time with all of us around. Which got me thinking about the roomies I've loved--the kind that became like sisters. I love you ladies!

I'll be back in Utah on the first. Love to all (wish you were with me)! Happy Holidays!

Christmas with the Herberts

So, I didn't get the card to get the official pictures so I'll have to get those from Joelle (who was the PERFECT "plus 1" for this event). That sister of mine has class. :) And this other lady is my BFF at work, Lauren. Dang I love her.
Two women on an advisory board with me: Shannon and Joy. So awesome.

Governor and Jeanette Herbert. He's the one pointing and she's next to Joelle. The other two are the Lieutenant Gov and his wife. I don't know them. But Jeanette is the chair of the advisory board I'm on with the other ladies above. She's the hardest working, sweetest woman. I'd vote for her any day. ;)

...beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Our ward went to temple square for FHE to see the lights. And good timing too since this week it has been snowing. BLIZZARDING. I'm not the biggest fan of snow outside of the mountains where it belongs. Though it is pretty to look at.