Wilde Wisdom

• Disobedience, in the eyes of anyone who has read history, is man's original virtue. It is through disobedience that progress has been made, through disobedience and through rebellion ~ Oscar Wilde
• I love that quote. I posted it on Facebook and Twitter yesterday, and some people loved it along with me. I love how you can share tiny things like that, with people from all across the world. Crazy. {now I just sound old}
• I have been off of work for 3 days. So nice. I wish I didn't have to go back today, although, at least I get to make money today. Right? And I'm working with Sue, and she's normal.. so we'll be good. Its so weird though. It'll be a lot of people's last days this weekend, and Lindsey's last day was yesterday. Its going to feel so empty with out her. Its nuts.
• I have been working out on the Wii fit since April 20th, so a little over a month. I have lost ten pounds. Yay! But I still have a long way to go. Ash & I started doing the Biggest Loser Bootcamp the other day. It was hard! But it was fun, to do it together. Its a 6 week program, with three levels. You do each level for 2 weeks, 3 to 4 times a week. So, that is what we are going to try and do.
• I am also going to do the Parkinson's Walk on June 27th in SugarHouse Park. My grandma has Parkinson's, and its an awful disease, so this way I can donate to the cause, and go out for a good long needed walk. Anyone want to join me? $15. Here's a link of Parkinson's walks around the country.
  
• I went to see my Advisor at school yesterday. That was exciting. I need to take the Math placement test, I'm going to take it on Monday, so I can study all weekend. We planned out my schedule, and it looks like I'm on track. I asked her about jobs & internships, and she didn't really give me much feedback, oh well. I'm not sure what I want to do anyway. I signed up for more classes after talking to her yesterday, because I need to take Abnormal Psych sooner than I thought. But I didn't drop anything. Which, will give me 20 credits. But with me not working very much.. maybe that is the best decision for now. Kick my butt at school, and just be poor.
  
• They're doing the International Rescue Committee tutoring thing again this Summer. I am for sure doing it this time, I'm going to tell my boss today. Its only 2 hours a week every Tuesday or Thursday. I can handle that. Right?

This picture is from 2001. I look so much smaller.. Motivation.
Plus, I miss those girls.

TGIF!
{even if I do work all weekend.. }

OH and Go Lakers!

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I can't believe it.. and some Good Music!

This artwork is very important. I can't believe that it is even an issue, but there have been a few things this last week or so that I've said I can't believe it . Dalia Ziada writes an awesome piece about this very idea: closing Gitmo, and how it truly depicts the United States record on human rights, and how she (and I) are hoping President Obama doesn't mess this one up.

Another thing that I can't believe is the California Surpreme Court's ruling yesterday. They ruled to uphold Prop 8. I think Harvey Milk probably rolled over in his grave. Can you believe it? It made me want to scream when I read this. Its crazy how we tout all these different freedom sayings and beliefs, but when it truly comes down to it, do we really believe everyone is created equal? Ever since I got the news yesterday I have been posting this sign on my blog, you are more than welcome to take it to post as well.

I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. Apparently there is only one Democratic Judge in the California Supreme Court. I still can't believe it though. It amazes me. I feel like my kids and grand kids will learn about this time in History, about a different Civil Rights Movement. I want to make sure I did all I could, and believed that everyone is equal, so the struggle will at least be over, and triumphant for my children and grandchildren to learn about. It amazes me. On a positive note, the court did rule that the 18,000 marriages that were performed while it was considered legal will be able to keep their marriages. At least that's a tiny step forward after a gigantic leap backwards. Right? I think this IReport video, from CNN is pretty interesting.

Another crazy thing I can't believe - Jon & Kate Plus 8! Did anyone watch it on Monday? It was so crazy! I feel so bad for those kids. I hope Jon & Kate can somehow come together and act a little bit better. Although, its obvious that Jon really hurt Kate, so I hope he can somehow make it up to her. Argh. So sad. (or is it sad that I care so much?) Oh well.

And last but not least. The Rack. is. laying. off. so. many. people. Its nuts! I was totally pissed that my hours were cut, and super offended that people were picked over me, but now its like at least I have a job! I walked in on a girl being laid off on Sunday, she was bawling. It sucks so bad. Half of our work force is going to be gone. And what I can't believe is usually retail jobs hire more people in the Summer / Fall time to get ready for Summer, Back to School and Christmas. Am I nuts to think that? I will be pissed if they just hire more people in August. It will be so backwards!

But on a happy note, I have been watching a lot of music videos in the morning lately, while I lift my weights. And I keep seeing this music video. I really like it! I love their Irish accents.

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Travel Wish: Cannes

I love movies. I loved the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, and I get giddy over beaches. So it shouldn't come as any surprise that I wish I could have gone to the Cannes Film Festival that ended on Sunday.

Brad Pit in Inglourious Basterds

I would have tried so hard to see this man.. I love me some Brad Pitt. Its a disease, I have to admit. {picture credit: Telegraph.co.uk}

Look at that Beach!

Part of the reason that I like Film Festivals, are of course, for the movies. And when we saw the movie stars in Park City a few months ago, I almost died. But, the real reason I love the fests is for their pushing the envelope mentality. For example, this year at Cannes there was a director, Mr. Lou Ye, that despite censor bans in China, has a film at the festival featuring gay Chinese men in a sexual relationship. I'm not sure I would want to see the film necessarily, but I applaud him for standing on a free speech principle. Read his story: Censor-defying Chinese director back at Cannes.

Another interesting film shows the struggle of the people of Rwanda. After the genocide in 1994, the different groups have been trying to get along. The film, My Neighbor My Killer, featured in this article:Rwanda's killers and victims shown side by side at Cannes, shows how hard that must be, and the successes and the failures in the slowly healing African country.

Last but not least, Francis Ford Coppola, the man behind The Godfather , previewed his new film, Tetro ,in Cannes. See story here. I love The Godfather saga.

So I want to go! How cool would it be to be in Cannes when all of this is going on? Some day..

* To see more of my Travel Wishes, click here.

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Lagoon 2009

I bought a Season Pass to Lagoon, and this weekend - Saturday - was my first time using it. I love Lagoon. It might be a little crazy, and even a little childish, but I do. I love Roller coasters, and the good food, and going with friends. I went with Kim & Heather this time, and it was a lot of fun. (even if Kim refused to ride Wicked again - geeze)

Here's some pictures of our fun day:

Me & Kim rode the Hydroluge, which I haven't been on in years . It was fun! Heather didn't want to get wet yet..

Log Flume!

After Rattle Snake Rapids. We got so wet! This is Heather trying to dry her hair.. look how wet her pants are! We never used to get that wet on Rattle Snake. Maybe that's why it was closed every time I went last year, they revved it up more.

Being traditional.. and riding The Carousel. I rode a Zebra bare back! haha. Heather rode a Chicken.. who knows how that works exactly.

I didn't ride Catapult again. yet . But this summer.. I'm going to ride it again. ;)

Click here to see more photos from our day.

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Happy 76th Birthday Grandpa!

In honor of my Grandpa Shirl's birthday today, I decided to repost my post from his birthday last year. I love and miss him a lot. Here's a picture that we recently found, of him and my Grandma Jo so happy, young, and in love, and a picture of my mom with her Dad when she was tiny.

Happy Birthday Grandpa
5/23/08 by Nicole Elkington

Today is my Grandpa's Birthday. Shirley Glen Harding. He would have been 75 years old. He died 7 years ago.

For his birthday, I thought I would write of things that made him awesome.

1. He LOVED flowers: he always had flower ideas, and wanted to plant new things. Even if he did pronounce perennials, "pre-annuals" which I never understood. Before yearly? But he was my Grandpa Shirl, and he was good at flowers. When I was younger, whenever we would have weeds in our flowers he would say "When ya gonna pull these weeds, youngin'?" (yep.. he said "youngin" .. I love it, I still think of him every time I hear anyone say that). He'd always "bite" me with snap dragons too. I like snap dragons, and I think I got my obsession with flowers from him.

2. He also had Enormous Gardens. With fruits and vegetables, and somehow it grew bigger and bigger and BIGGER every year. We would eat strawberries, radishes, carrots, and the best tomatoes. The tomatoes were for yummy fresh salsa, of course.

3. He always had a story.. especially when he was getting older. Sometimes we got frustrated, because he would end up telling us the same story over and over and over again, but I'd be okay with hearing one of those stories now. Maybe the one about how he was the only 8th grader in his tiny class in Tremonton (that only went up to the 8th grade..). Or how he had to walk up hill both ways, in the snow, and only the oldest got the shoes, and he wasn't the oldest. I really believed that one for a long time. Silly Man..

4. He had the best handwriting. He was very, very much proud of his "penmanship" and would tell you if he thought yours wasn't good enough. I still remember when he told me I wrote the number 8 wrong.

5. He always made me feel smart. He was so into learning, and helping me to learn. He had me rattling off multiplication tables when I was 7. I could never remember 8 x 7, so every time he saw me he'd just say "Okay, 8 x 7?!" and make me answer. Let's just say I know the answer to that one is 56 much faster than any other now. Once when I was little, he had me tell him how to make a Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich, and me, being the gullible one thought he really didn't know how to make one. So when I knew step-by-step how to tell him to make one, it made me feel so smart, and like I had helped him make his lunch. Me, a 5 year old "youngin".. always making me feel smart.

6. He had a girly name.. Shirley, but that never got him down.

7. When he was sick once, he came and stayed with us at my parents house. I was in High School, I think about 16 years old, and I would sit in the front room and wait for my friend to come pick me up for school. He would already be up, sitting there in the dark, thinking, or looking outside. I was never sure what we were going to talk about, as we sat there, waiting. But it was never dull. I am glad I had those conversations with him now, just me and Grandpa. He'd tell me about the book he was reading, ask about school of course, and want to know "where I was going in life".

8. He was so cute with my brother. I wish my brother had known him longer. My grandpa had diabetes, and had gotten gangrene in his feet, so he was missing some of his toes. He used to make it a joke with my brother, where he would grab onto my brothers little toes, when he was tiny and ask him if he could have his toes. Timmy would squeal and run away, he wasn't about to share his toes with Grandpa. Tim was so little, but he still remembers Grandpa Shirl pulling his toes.

9. When I was little, he always let me pick the Christmas Tree for his house. Even if I always wanted it flocked..

10. He instilled in me an appreciation for John Wayne, popcorn and ice-cold pepsi.

So here's to you Grandpa, I love ya.

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Yay for Friday?

Ok, not really going to Paris.. but I wish!

Remember when I said this..

It feels strange though, at work, because not everyone is a "specialist" and so it feels like there are some people that have been left out in the cold, so to speak. We all knew this would happen, it just feels awkward now that it has. We all started working in the department together, so I think we developed a really good healthy, comradery, that we now have to kind of build back up. We also are going to start getting "ranked" on the schedule after our 45 day reviews, which are on May 15th. So we'll see how that goes. I understand the concept, it just makes me feel bad sometimes. BUT at the same time, not everyone works as hard as everyone else, which is just how it is in life, SO I'm glad that my work is recognizing those that work harder. I just definitely want to be ranked high.

Yeah, that was less than 2 weeks ago. Had my review yesterday. Totally sucked. I am ranked THIRD out of five, and two people are getting zero hours (their way of half-way firing you). Even the Asst Manager is amazed that I am ranked so low.. So I'm not going to get as many hours, about 20 to be exact. I'm pissed. I texted Hikmet right after I was told this, hoping that I could just work with her again, even though I had just barely told her no! She's already offered it to someone else, but they haven't accepted. Who knows what I'm supposed to do. I don't know. But one of the two people that is ranked above me.. shouldn't be. She takes so many breaks, and avoids Customers, and blah blah. I don't understand! She has to have the boss give her rides, because she doesn't have reliable transportation. WTF?!
In other news.. I loved Angels and Demons, and can't wait for the new Robert Langdon book, The Lost Symbol to come out in September! They should have some class or movie or something about whats true and not true in the book though because Amanda and I were so confused, and just kept discussing it all night! haha.

Yay for Lagoon tomorrow ;) And HELL YES for a Day off!

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Dear Jack..

Jack Gray that is. I think you're awesome. I truly do. I hadn't ever really realized just how cool you were until about a month ago. That was when my favorite newsboy Anderson Cooper tweeted a recommendation to follow you, Jack Gray, on Twitter {click here to do just that}. So I did. Because, let's just say that I have a lot of trust in Anderson. A LOT. Some would say it could be unhealthy, but I {not surprisingly} disagree.


I then realized, that I had been laughing at you for years {yes, I said years!} now, on the AC360Blog. Without even realizing who I was laughing at, I mean, I just read the AC360 Writer /Producer note under your name, took it as just that, and then mosied down the list of blog posts to find Mr. Cooper's posts. But I still laughed at you.. and now that I get your hilarious tweets, I am laughing even harder.

Click here for a funny recent AC360 Blog Post by Jack. I love it.

These tweets are a few of my favorites:

• Beautiful, cheerful day in NYC. So cheerful, in fact, that I almost gave those tourists the correct directions to Magnolia Bakery. Almost.

• Bummed I missed Gossip Girl...will have to wait til the episode is on iTunes. Don't tell me what happened or I'll have to break up with you.

• I'm excited to read Larry King's new book.I hope he included a chapter about the time I saved his life in a make-up room fracas w/ Dr. Phil.

• The cashier at CVS did not seem to enjoy me singing Rhianna's Take a Bow.

• Greenwich Village is alive with the Sound of Music. Except Sound=Smell and Music=Hashish. And the Von Trapps look like drag queens.

* click here to follow me, yes me, on Twitter. ;)
* picture from Jack Gray's twitter profile: http://twitter.com/jackgraycnn

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Travel Wish: Egypt

I have wanted to goto Egypt, ever since I was little and was obsessed with watching Moses tell his pseudo brother of a Pharaoh Let my people go . The pyramids. The history. The columns. I love it all.

My mom's Aunt Connie is going on a cruise to Greece and Egypt, and I am SUPER JEALOUS! I wish I could go! I am definitely going one of these days, if its the very last thing I do... And I really think that I would want to go on the cruise, but then I'm not sure how close you get to Cairo, and the Valley of the Kings, the Important Places when you go on a Cruise there. Or if you're only really able to go to Alexandria. Hmmm, I need to find this out! {not that I'm going today.. } Here are some things I would NEED to see:

Tut! I have to see the Museum with all of Tutankhamun's stuff {even though I've already seen a TON of it a few years ago}, as well as go see where it was all found!

The Pyramids! And the Great Sphinx!

One of my most favorite Queen's, Queen Hatshepsut's Temple!
She's the only Queen that ever really became Pharaoh. Love it.
{can you tell I was once an Anthropology major? haha}

Coptic church at Moquattan Mountain above the Christian Garbage Village
I love the Coptic Christian traditions in Egypt as well as the Islamic ones

Bazaars: I have to shop!

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Welcome to Wherever You Are

For my 200th post, I am just going to share the music video and lyrics to one of my new favorite songs. I've always loved Bon Jovi, Thanks to my Aunt Julie, and I love this song.



"Welcome To Wherever You Are"

~ Bon Jovi

Maybe we're different, but we're still the same
We all got the blood of Eden, running through our veins
I know sometimes it's hard for you to see
You come between just who you are and who you wanna be

If you feel alone, and lost and need a friend
Remember every new beginning, is some beginning's end

[Chorus]
Welcome to wherever you are
This is your life, you made it this far
Welcome, you gotta believe
That right here right now, you're exactly where you're supposed to be
Welcome, to wherever you are

When everybody's in, and you're left out
And you feel your drowning, in a shadow of a doubt
Everyones a miracle in their own way
Just listen to yourself, not what other people say

When it seems you're lost, alone and feeling down
Remember everybody's different
Just take a look around

[Chorus]

Be who you want to, be who you are
Everyones a hero, everyones a star

When you wanna give up, and your hearts about to break
Remember that you're perfect, God makes no mistakes

[Chorus]

Now I just need to figure out how I was able to babble for 200 posts. Especially when I thought 100 was a big deal. haha. Thanks for reading.

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monday musings

i like bullets. haven't done them for awhiles. so lets get some random, non-capitalized, bullets. shall we?

• as explained in this post, i was very excited for the grey's anatomy finale last thursday. i was not disappointed! i couldn't believe the twist with 007, and the elevator scene at the end. i personally believe that izzy will push the elevator back up, choose to come back to alex, and leave george behind :( or maybe that is what i'm hoping. i don't think i'll watch the show if izzie's not there. she was who got me interested in the show in the first place. always loved katie heigl. clear back from my father the hero .
  

• haven't had our reviews at work yet. who knows what that means. i really thought they were supposed to be on friday, but they weren't. how annoying - we all know that she had to turn them in to HR and management on thursday , so its not like she's pondering what to say. geeeze.

• 
• i have a wii fit addiction. i have lost give or take, 7 pounds, because of that beautiful invention. i have also been struggling to eat right as well. but i had pizza on thursday night, and friday afternoon, and it made me feel so sick and greasy by friday night! i guess pizza no longer does well in my we eat a lot of vegetables body.

• there's a new wii thing now: wii active. i want it. anyone want to buy nikki a present? cuz that's what she wants.

• american idol: i hope adam wins. i truly do. i guess whatever happens, happens. because really, adam will be going places either way. and in all honesty, they both will. i just like winning, so i think he should win, because i think he deserves it. capiche?

• had a lot of fun with amanda last week, at costa vida. she's so funny. i love it. we are planning on screaming our lungs out on the catapult again this year, june 13th, here we come.

• notice how i'm planning a month ahead? thats what i've been doing lately. i'm like "okay, so wanna go to see that movie? i can go monday or wednesday.." and then i have it all planned out. i don't know if its because i feel like i don't have a lot of evenings off, so when i do, i'm like k lets go! but i amuse myself. at least i already know i'm going to lagoon at least twice. plus, i gotta go with the brother and sister at least once. i love lagoon. its my version of a vacation this summer. don't judge.

• i'm going to see angels and demons this week. yay for me. i loved the book. but maybe that is just cuz i loved roma.

• i told hikmet i can't do the book festival this year, a few days ago. i felt bad. i really wanted to do it, but where i'm working full time at the rack, and taking 17 credits, i just don't think its mathematically possible to fit in 20 hours of book festival-ness. although, i will at least be going to the festival this year. october 24th is already blocked off in my planner. haha.
  

• yay lakers yesterday! they. are. the. best. bring it on denver, i dare ya.
  

• and i'll close with one of my favorite quotes. i love john lennon. but you guys know that ;) If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there'd be peace. ~ John Lennon

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MLK Comic, in Arabic

Check out this link: Can a Comic Book about MLK change the Middle East?. Its about a very interesting theory, where they're trying to see if the MLK story of non-violence can affect the Mid East conflicts.

This comes from Dalia Ziada's blog, Human life from a Daliatic Approach, I have been following her for a few months, and I really enjoy it. Its interesting to get such a different point of view on things. She's Egyptian, and a great middle eastern activist. She also suffered from genital mutilation, which is such an awful practice. I'm glad she has the guts to stand up for what she believes in.

This is awesome: {quote from her blog, linked above}

Ziada herself is a survivor of female genital mutilation, and has since led reform efforts against the practice. “I used to fight against FGM in my family (with traditional methods) since I was 10 years-old. However, this time, I decided to use the nonviolent method of King.” It worked, and in the morning Ziada’s uncle called saying that he was convinced; his daughter went unscathed.

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Idol Worship

I have a confession to make, I have committed the 2nd sin of idolatry. I have a severe infatuation with Adam Lambert's voice. I love it.

Adam will be the next American Idol.

I am SO SO SO SO glad Danny went home.

* this post's fabulous title is credited to Ashley Elkington, The Great.

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Theological Tolerance and Respect.. give a little

Pope Benedict XVI, Fouad Twal, Sheikh Taysir Tamimi
The Notre Dame Center in Jerusalem, May 11, 2009

The tendency to turn human judgements into divine commands makes religion one of the most dangerous forces in the world. ~ Georgia Harkness

This week at an inter-faith meeting held in Jerusalem, Pope Benedict XVI walked out in protest of what Sheikh Tayseer Tamimi, chief Islamic judge in the Palestinian Authority, had said. Apparently, he spoke after the Pope, (unexpectedly) and had prepared a written ten-minute long speech condemning Israel for their attack on Gaza just a few months ago. He called for Palestinian prisoners to be returned, and accused Israel of burning several mosques, killing people who were in their houses when the Israeli army destroyed them, as well as killing many Gaza children.

I'm honestly not sure how I feel about this. I was definitely against the offensive that Israel implemented against Gaza earlier this year but at the same time, that really doesn't have to do with the Pope, and where they were there to try to come to some understanding, some sort of dialogue, I'm not sure that it was appropriate. What I found a little sad about the whole thing was that the Pope did not have simultaneous translation, so they don't think he knew for sure what was being said until he had already shook the Sheikh's hand. So, it will almost look like he approved of what was said. But, another man, Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal who is a Palestinian, did attempt to stop the Sheikh's speech to no avail.

This Pope has already caused a lot of uproar, with comments he has already made about Muslims, especially when he said that Islam was an archaic, violent religion. That is so not okay to say. So, when he walked out of the meeting, I'm not sure what people thought. Its such a hard issue. I have already somewhat decided I don't love the Pope, he shouldn't have said such crazy things about Muslims, and he really shouldn't have allowed for that one Priest to be re instated to his post after he said the Holocaust was made up. Not okay. BUT its also not okay for the Sheikh to say such things at a place where they were trying to form a coming together, not be more pulled apart. BUT ALSO, I wouldn't put it past Israel to do those things he claimed that they did. I just don't get the problems in the Middle East. Argh.

I think we all need to have a little more tolerance..

What is tolerance? -- it is the consequence of humanity. We are all formed of frailty and error; let us pardon reciprocally each other's folly -- that is the first law of nature. ~ Voltaire

What do you think?

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Travel Wish: Europe, I love thee

Four years ago today I was on my way to my Study Abroad in London, England. It was one of my favorite experiences, ever. I wish all the time that I could go back. While we were there, we also traveled to Paris, and Rome, and had an awesome time. Here are some pictures from that trip, and here's to hoping that I can go again!
{and that it will be better than the last time I was in Europe: hurl}

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Sending love to the Lakers

I have always been a Laker fan, well maybe not always but ever since Sophomore year in High School. That team, from 2000-2003 when they were the best, will always be my favorite team ever. With Shaq, and Kobe, and Shaw, Fisher, Fox, Ron Harper, I love it. But, the Lakers last year and this year are getting back up to that same level. I love Kobe. But I also really like Ariza, Odom, Gasol, Luke, Bynum, and I will always get giddy for Derek Fisher.

They play tonight, and they are going to win. I know it. I was so devastated that they lost last game. What were they thinking?! And, I am scared that Odom won't play. He fell so hard last time. Argh. They must win!

Go Lakers!

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Grey's Anatomy

I'm a little behind, I know, I know.. But, Izzie Stevens cannot die! I just barely watched this last weeks episode of Grey's Anatomy. {Yes, I cried from beginning to end!} but, I'm really hoping that all those rumors about Katie Heigl and T R Knight leaving aren't true, and that super wonderful Dr. Shepherd figures out a way to save Izzie! I mean, I like seeing Denny and all. Every once in awhile.. but I think he's met his quota for this season. No more Denny hallucinations! But it was super cute the way they had Izzie and Alex get married. That part might have made me cry the hardest. haha.

Whew. Had to get that off my chest. ;) Anyone else watch Grey's Anatomy?

Blar, I just spent time finding the Grey's Anatomy writer's blog, and it gives nothing away. It is interesting to see her points about the episode though: see here.

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Girls just wanna have Fun

I've had quite a lot of fun the past few days. I worked 5 days in a row, so I could have Friday and Saturday off and it was so worth it! Yay! I got paid on Monday, and I have had some extra money, {well.. I had extra money, its now gone!} I bought me some dress pants for work, some blouses, a few scarves, earrings, this AWESOME necklace, from one of my favorite places: World Market and Ash and I got to buy my mom some pretty awesome clothes today for her birthday!

I also got to go to the Nordstrom Cafe with Heather yesterday {Friday}. That was a lot of fun! I haven't seen her in what seems like forever! We planned to goto Lagoon together with other "Library friends" on May 23rd, so I am excited! I love Lagoon {its an amusement park.. for non Utahns ;)} What was really disappointing though was they changed their menu! I'm so upset! I'm going to have to find out who is in charge of such things at Nordstrom. Maybe I'll call Blake Nordstrom myself, because by-golly I was wanting the Chicken Tomato Pasta thing. {tear} see picture here.

Here's some pictures from today, and my new haircut..

Grandma Jo, My mom, Me

{Ash went with us earlier in the day, but by the time Grandma came and we took pics, she was at work ~ sadness}

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Sadness!

I'm really disappointed that Allison went home! I can't believe it. I really do think that she will go very very far after this. But I'm more devastated by the poll we have going, where Adam is only barely winning?! What's up with that?! It almost feels like the season where I knew Chris Daughtry was the very best singer on the whole show and somehow everyone else was either hypnotized by Katherine McPhee {who has now sunk back into the depth of no one even knows who you are } or Growling crazy "drunk" performer Taylor Hicks. Argh ~

Adam all the way!

Ps~ I could care less about the crazy pictures of him. So what, he's gay! Its not like he has leprosy! I would seriously die if anyone said they didn't like him because he was gay.

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American Idol 2009

Adam Lambert
The next American Idol!

Adam Lambert is amazing. I don't see how so many people don't see that! I get all these messages about how everyone loves Kris and {insert hurl} Danny! Now I know, I know, when the season first started I mentioned Danny here, and even liked him. But now! I am so disgusted by him! He growls and last night he totally screamed, like a cat dying as my sister said. It was awful! He's totally Taylor Hick-esque, and that's never good.

Adam should definitely win this season, and Allison should get second. I am seriously hoping that Danny gets kicked off tonight! Crossing my fingers! Who can deny that after their smashin' duet last night? Seriously?!


Who do you like the best? I added a new poll on the side, so vote!

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I love George

Today is George Clooney's Birthday.. but I feel like I've already said all I need to say about how much I love him. I mean look, these are all my previous posts that mention George. So in honor of his birthday I say Happy 48th Birthday George! Looking good!

Check out his charity here: Not On Our Watch Project

*picture from Time Magazine photo shoot last year

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Happy Birthday Audrey!!

I was born with an enormous need for affection, and a terrible need to give it. ~ Audrey Hepburn

In honor of Audrey Hepburn's 80th Birthday, I have decided to post some of my very favorite, sayings, pictures, and video clips of Audrey's. I have loved Audrey Hepburn for years, and it all started with this movie, Breakfast at Tiffany's. I love Holly Golightly and her nameless cat.

This is one of my very favorite songs: Moon River

Holly Golightly: He's all right! Aren't you, cat? Poor cat! Poor slob! Poor slob without a name! The way I see it I haven't got the right to give him one. We don't belong to each other. We just took up one day by the river. I don't want to own anything until I find a place where me and things go together. I'm not sure where that is but I know what it is like. It's like Tiffany's.
Paul Varjak: Tiffany's? You mean the jewelry store.
Holly Golightly: That's right. I'm just CRAZY about Tiffany's!

Pick the day. Enjoy it - to the hilt. The day as it comes. People as they come... The past, I think, has helped me appreciate the present - and I don't want to spoil any of it by fretting about the future. ~ Audrey Hepburn

Another favorite of Audrey's is Roman Holiday, I love Gregory Peck and Rome, so what's not to love?

This is the best.. when Audrey's character gets on the vespa, not knowing what to do


However, what truly makes Audrey Hepburn my most favorite actress of all time, is how she really tried to make a difference for others, throughout her lifetime. She herself was involved in an underground communication ring in Nazi-occupied Holland. It is believed that part of the reason she was such a small woman was because of the hunger and poor conditions she lived under at that time. She was a reciepient of some of hte first UNICEF food supplies to ever be delivered. This is why she was such a supporter of UNICEF. Later in her life, she became a UNICEF ambassador. She was one awesome lady!

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone. ~ Audrey Hepburn

.. and my very favorite quote: I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it's the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It's probably the most important thing in a person. ~ Audrey Hepburn, but you all know that.

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New Designer Brand: Communion

A few days ago, a lady came in asking if we had dresses for a First Communion. THREE employees had no idea what she was talking about! One of them asked her if "communion" was a brand. Awe man.. This is Utah.

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Out of the tree of life I just picked me a plum

Apparently, if you want to survive and make your name come up in blogger lights, you're not supposed to blog on the weekends. Why? Because most people have better things to do. Well, as you can see, not me. I have today off from work, which never happens - since I work in the fabulous world of retail, where Saturday is the biggest day of the week. I have next Saturday off too. Not sure how that happened, but we'll just revel in the beauty.

I am so excited that this semester of school is over! I really enjoyed some of my classes.. and really didn't enjoy others. I guess its a good sign that I enjoyed my French class, and my Social Work class. Since those are the subjects, and careers I will be continuing on in. At least I didn't hate my social work class and have to rethink this whole major, life plan, purpose thing! {again?}

At work, I am now the bra specialist -- well, this has been true for a few weeks, I just haven't published it on the blogosphere. Bra. Specialist. Ha. I wasn't even sure what to say when my manager asked me to be that. But I like it. I like the responsibility of keeping up with one whole side of our accessories department, keeping it filled in, straightened, and shopable. It makes the never ending closing nights seem just a little bit better. Always bras and panties to put back in size order. Not really sure why people can never put the bras back where they found them. That IS the purpose of the little size rings, to show were the 36A's are divided from the 36B's. Hard concept. I know.

It feels strange though, at work, because not everyone is a "specialist" and so it feels like there are some people that have been left out in the cold, so to speak. We all knew this would happen, it just feels awkward now that it has. We all started working in the department together, so I think we developed a really good healthy, comradery, that we now have to kind of build back up. We also are going to start getting "ranked" on the schedule after our 45 day reviews, which are on May 15th. So we'll see how that goes. I understand the concept, it just makes me feel bad sometimes. BUT at the same time, not everyone works as hard as everyone else, which is just how it is in life, SO I'm glad that my work is recognizing those that work harder. I just definitely want to be ranked high.

I signed up to do this blog improvement in 30 days thing-a-ma-jig, about 2 weeks ago. I haven't done even ONE of the things that it told me to do! Perhaps I should try it again. The tasks just seemed so lame. - sigh -

Last, I will leave you with a few of my favorite things. I love Anderson Cooper.. and I love BONO and George Clooney, so what was better than last night's Time 100 Interviews on AC 360?! Well, its on again tonight, and tomorrow, so if you missed it.. {Man, I should be getting paid for being a CNN promo!} BONO interviews George Clooney, and they discussed life and choices, but mostly their two awesome organizations (George's and BONO's) how they've evolved and everything. Love it.

And.. for the very end, I think this video is awesome. Its pretty cool the way our technology now serves as a political and social issue debate system. Who'd a thunk?
{psst.. they're trying to push down an awful, prejudice video that was made, called the Gathering Storm, I refuse to link to it.. but if you want to see it, search you tube}



*The post title is from a the song, The Best is yet to Come by Tony Bennett.. they play this song ALL the time at my work, and it always gets in my head.

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Tulip Fest 2009

As I mentioned in this post, I have always wanted to go to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point. But never really had the chance, or I'm always like "I want to go!" and then by the time I remember again, its over. {I still think its lame its only for about a week} but this year I was able to go! Ash and I figured out that we could only go one day, the 28th, where we'd be able to go together, because of our crazy uneven work schedules. So we went on Tuesday, I was so excited! Here are a few of my pictures of all the pretty gardens. I really liked it there. I have never seen the Thanksgiving Point gardens, and now I'm like Dude! I love it. So.. here they are :)

I was pretty excited!

Ashley

It was starting to get kind of windy, and the clouds were looming over head, but it really was a lot of fun!

There were actually quite a few cute little old couples at the Festival. I loved it. I hope when I'm old and grey I have someone to go with me to see the Tulips and hold my hand. They were so cute.

Click here to see more of my pictures.

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