Super Bowl Party

(a pic of Me, Stephanie, and Allison. I know I'm barely in this shot but it was my favorite one. :])

This year we threw a super bowl party at our place. I think that there is no need to say how little I care about sports. But I do care about parties and friends so if there is a need...there will be a party.

I was routing for the Packers...basically because I had some friends that cared for them growing up. I always say that I love sports - my friends correct me stating that I actually love the athletes. It's true.

The only part that I actually watched was the half-time show...and it was so horrible. I don't know what was going on with those B.E.P's but it wasn't good.

There was a bunch of pot luck goodies that our friends brought by. I found myself mingling from group to group of friends through out the party. Always being entertained and in good company. There also may or may not have been the best foot massage I've ever had as well. (Thanks to my little tiger friend Brian)

I love my home. I love the feeling it has when people are over. It's warm and inviting and there is always room for another friend there. I really appreciate that people aren't "clicky" when they are at my place. Friendships bloom. Conversations flow. People just feel comfortable and at ease.

There isn't a week that goes by that I don't hear some sort of compliment about our house or the people that live there. It's such a good feeling that my little sanctuary can be shared by so many people that I love.

Stay classy San Diego...

Yes, I know, my blog sucks lately. I'm sorry. I have been stuck with an Internet at home that I have to sit in my living room hooked to a cord while I use it - thus no blogging. I need to get a wireless modem so I can actually blog or write in my room with some peace and quiet.

I thought I'd give a quick update on a little trip I just had. I went to San Diego with Annie on January 27th and we flew home on January 28th. Why such a short trip you ask? Well that is simple. We flew out there to see our favorite man, Neal Mortensen, graduate the Marines and then bring him home as fast as possible so we could savor his 17 day leave.

The flight to Arizona had us cracking up with laughter. I’m sure it had a lot to do with the sleep deprivation but I cannot help but give credit to the people that we were lucky enough to sit by. *raises a half filled airplane cup of warm apple juice* So here is to you - Body Oder Man and Pocket-Pal Predator Weave. Our flights wouldn’t have been the same without you.



The flight going to California- well we may have been the annoying people on that one. We laughed the entire time and listened to Annie’s iPod. Annie and I arrived on Thursday morning into San Diego, we checked into our hotel, and then went straight to the Marine Base. We were in love with all of the military men and their polite manners. (I kind of want to move there –there were fine men falling out of the woodwork.)

I got to meet the mission leaders that were over the Marine base. They were the loveliest couples. They were so happy to serve and had some amazing stories about the men that changed their lives during basic training. Neal came and met us by the Marina and we had lunch that was provided by the church as we hugged and caught up on the last 3 months. We walked around base for a few hours and got more food and did a bit of shopping.

That night Annie and I went to old town San Diego and had some delicious Mexican food at Cafe Coyote. Everything was delicious. We walked around for a bit and went window shopping in some really interesting stores...were Annie got in trouble by an overly angry sales clerk as she tried on a wrestling mask.

The next morning was the graduation and we went back to the base. I cannot even express my love and pride for Neal. He is such an amazing friend. He has helped me become closer to the church, helped me trust others more, and helped me love myself. He is dependable and charming and strong. He brings laughter to my life every day. He has helped me in so many ways. I could never thank him enough for the change that he brought to my life. Watching him graduate as a Marine was such an honor. I am so proud of him.

Relief Society Retreat

The night before the boating trip at Echo Lake, with my singles ward, our Relief Society had a special retreat in Bishop Menlove's cabin. It was so much fun.

The girls had such a good time as we laughed around the dinning room table and talked about the craziest dating experiences. Later we were all touched by each other's tender testimonies of the gospel.

We also had the privilege of listening to a choir named Divine Heritage. We were all spiritually feed by their uplifting devotional on the rich blessings the savior brings into our lives. Even though it was freezing sitting outside on the wrap-around deck, everyone was feeling the warmth from the spirit that was there.

I got to know some of the girls in my ward that I haven't gotten to know before the trip. The feeling of sisterhood that developed in our retreat was so strong and we all felt a part of something special. I'm so grateful for the Relief Society and for our ward's presidency. They are amazing women who are great examples of what a lady should be.

'Rieting time' lyrics

I wrote a song, a love song actually. I showed my roommate Annie my lyrics and she immediately started to write music for it. She made it into a beautiful song, I hope one day I can learn the music and be able to feel comfortable enough to sing it for you.

Until then, here are the words and if you ever are so lucky to hear Annie sing-I'm sure she'd play it for you. :)

Star's Song

I wish I may, I wish I might
be the light in your dark eyes
I twinkle, only for you
glowing in the wide navy blue

I'm a falling star
falling, falling, falling for you

Milky white skin, so pale and delicate
waiting to be seen
through the soft clouds
and whistling maple leaves
I'm shining down for you to see

Watching you sleeping
on these carbon colored sheets
your heavy eyes closed tight
in perfect trust and perfect peace
I will shine bright through the night

I'm a falling star
falling, falling, falling for you

My skin, the color of sugar
tastes just as sweet
breathe in the night air
through your lips,savor me

I'm your falling star
falling, falling, falling

Random beloved poem

This poem means a lot to me. I first heard it when I was going through a really hard depression spell when I was in Jr. High. One of my friend's parents told me that he thought of me when he heard this poem. Star, became one of my nicknames because of it.

Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art--
Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night
And watching, with eternal lids apart,
Like nature's patient, sleepless Eremite,
The moving waters at their priest like task
Of pure ablution round earth's human shores,
Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask
Of snow upon the mountains and the moors--
No--yet still steadfast, still unchangeable,
Pillow'd upon my fair love's ripening breast,
To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,
Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,
Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,
And so live ever--or else swoon to death.

Utah Utes

I went to my very first college football game a few weeks ago. It was super fun even though it rained almost the entire time. We were all soaked to the bone except our friend Isaac "hot sauce" Talbot who packs a travel slicker whenever he goes to an outdoor sporting event. Isaac is a hard core sports fan. I on the other hand have no idea what is going on with any sport. Isaac was kind enough to buy My, Annie's, and Neal's ticket to go see the game.
The Utes crushed Colorado State 59-6.
(A special thanks to Annie for keeping me updated on what was actually happening!!)

Ninja Strike!!

(I’d like to thank my roommates for unknowingly providing my blog with demonstration photos for my rendition of How to play Ninja Strike. Honorary room mate Neal Mortensen and roomies Logan Smith and Annie Munk)

This is a game that is played at my home often. I've never heard about it before I moved into the Chateau de la hotties, but ever since I find that more and more people know how to play the game.

The objection:
To Ninja Strike the other players until you are the last Ninja standing. (You do this by slapping one of their hands or feet.)

The rules:
-start by standing in front of your opponent with your hands centered or in a circle with the crowd you are playing with.

-Someone yells out the war cry of "NINJA STRIKE"
-Every one takes a defensive stance. You will learn quickly what type of stances will work to your advantage or will get you out of the game faster than a ninja assassin.

-The person who attacks get to make one move to try to tag the player next to him/her. Once you strike, you must stay how you land. You cannot move back to where you started from.
-The defending ninja can move once to dodge the strike.

-If the defensive ninja did not get slapped on the hands or feet they will then become the Striking Ninja.
-They have one strike toward their enemy and then they must freeze as the other ninja then dodges them and will then become the assassin.
-Continue playing until only one Ninja is left.


As you practice your ninja strikes will get faster, more lethal, and you will learn how to trick your enemies into moving into danger.



Please ask me for a demo if you ever need an object lesson. Good luck to those future ninjas out there.

(for more ninja strike photos please visit my face book photo album named "Ninja Strike".)