That one time I became a professional writer.

For as long as I can remember I have loved reading and writing.  I used to dream of writing a book.  A book that would fill shelves of local bookstores.  But there’s something incredibly personal about writing that has always made me a little apprehensive.  Sometimes even this blog discourages me.  What if someone doesn’t like it?  What if I make a grammar mistake?  It’s hard knowing that we can put our thoughts and feelings, sometimes our deepest ones, into writing only to have it passed by or scoffed at.  Much like asking that cute girl for her phone number or suggesting to that cute boy that you get together sometime, it’s putting yourself out there.  It’s risky.  It’s scary.  It’s thrilling. 

I remember in sixth grade everyone in my class had to write a short story.  I wrote a story about a ballerina named Jenny LaGare who had spent hours on end practicing and finally landed her dream role of the Sugarplum Fairy in her town’s local production of the Nutcracker.  As fate would have it, she fell and broke her leg in an ice skating accident and was unable to recover in time to live out her dream.  Her biggest enemy replaced her as the Sugarplum fairy.  During our individual project meetings my teacher, Mr. Youngstrom, told me that I had a knack for story and plot development.  At that young age and over such a silly and simple story, it stuck with me through the years. 

In college I studied Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations.  I was too scared to emphasize in Journalism or to write for the school newspaper out of fear that my writing would be rejected.  Writing assignments were always my favorite part of the curriculum in any other class. 

Now two years after graduation I feel like I've hit a rut.  Not that I ever have tons to write about or have done a lot of writing outside of this blog, but I can feel what small amount of skill I may have developed slowly slipping away.  

About a week ago a friend posted a job offer.  Her company was looking for a freelance writer to write a few blog posts each month for the online marketing company that she works for.  It sounded like the perfect opportunity.  I would be given topics to write about and it would be on the side of my full time job.  I could hone my writing skills in my fee time and in turn, build my writing portfolio.

I was asked to send two writing samples.  I found and edited an old press release from a school assignment and an old short story from this blog.  I got them all ready to go and attached to an email and could not hit the send button.  I knew I had to because I told my friend that I would apply for the job.  I waited one more day, read through them each with a fine tooth comb and finally hit send.  There it was.  My work, my thoughts, experiences and words.  Hanging in space waiting to be rejected or accepted. 

Then the offer came.

And I accepted.  

sweet sixteen.

I recently turned the big two six.  Yep.  Twenty six years old.  I eventually got over the fact that I am now officially in my late twenties and got really excited for this next year.  After all, each year is always better than the last.

As always, when significant dates pass (birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, etc.) it allows for reflection.  Has my life turned out how I imagined?  Not sure.  A pretty ambiguous question.

If I could go back, I would tell myself these 10 things 10 years ago.

I would let my 16 year old self know that....

1.  In ten years you're going to be single and it's going to be OK.  You are going to have to get used to incessant questions and statements like "Are you dating?  Why aren't you married?  I have this single friend, can I set you up?  Boys should like you.  I'd date you if I were single".  Don't let it frustrate you.  Take it as a compliment.  Sure you'll be sans husband and children, but you'll have plenty of other accomplishments under your belt.   It's hard in the LDS culture to know exactly where your place is or what to do when you start getting "older" and you're still single, but just enjoy this time.  Work hard.  Save money.  Have adventures.

2.  People are going to hurt you, and you'll probably hurt a few yourself.  When it comes to the ones who hurt you, stop worrying.  They more than likely aren't worth your time.  But for every person that does hurt you, there will be plenty of good friends who enjoy your company and would never think to be mean.  Apologize to those you've hurt.

3.  We all have to put in our time and work a job or several that may not be our first pick.  Deal with it.

4. Try new things.  Move to a new city.  Take chances.  You'll never know unless you put yourself out there.  You might just land a job at a great company.

5.  Friends will come and go and that's life.  You did nothing wrong.  Life progresses and we move on.  It is not a reflection of you or how they view you.  But just so you know, at 26 you'll have some great people in your life.

6.  Take time for yourself.  Do things you enjoy.  You will never have this much time for you ever. Figure out your priorities and use your time accordingly.

7. Some things don't go as planned and that's just the truth of it.  Learn how to handle disappointment without it getting you down because there will be plenty of it.

8.  Learn how to laugh at yourself.  If you can learn to laugh at yourself you'll be able to let things go faster.  You'll be happier.

9.  It's OK to be vulnerable.  Confide in people.  Trust that they care enough about you.  It's scary, but it's worth it.  If you just open up you'll see how many people really care about you and would be more than happy to help you.  

10.  Be happy.  There will be trials.  There will be stress.  But stay positive.  Stay happy.

blue eyes, blue eyes, what's the matter, matter

I often find myself wondering, like most people (hopefully), "why?".

After an exhausting day due to some disappointing news, I tried to distract myself and decided to go for a run (not to mention, this Ragnar in t minus a week and a half isn't going to train itself). Running has been nothing but freeing for me.  It's helped me reach goals and prove things to myself.  And I for one can vouch that it truly is cheaper than therapy.

I've had several memorable runs over the years that may or may not have included tears.  Possibly one of those was tonight.  Tears were streaming down my face and my eyes were burning as I ran through the warm summer Salt Lake night.  When it hit me.

I could either sit and wallow in self pity over a situation that was over and could not be changed, or I could get over it and make the most of it and be hopeful and excited for whatever was next.

And let's be honest, my discouraging day wasn't even that bad in the grand scheme of things.  I didn't get something that I wanted. Sure, I worked hard for it, but it wasn't given to me.  It by no means compares to real trials out there.  Like friends my age who have endured divorce, or another friend who has already buried his less than three year old son and his precious two and half year old daughter's days are also numbered.

I honestly believe that we are meant for good.  To give, achieve and receive good.  But sometimes, that good comes with some trials along the way.  Sometimes we don't receive something good because something better is right around the corner.

And that's worth every trial.

current crush: neon

Blame it on the 80s kid in me (I was born in 87, that makes me an 80s kid, right?) but I am currently obsessed with neon and I couldn't be more excited that it is currently trending and showing up everywhere.

Neon shirts, neon oven mitts, neon scarves and neon nail polish. Bring on the neon.  How can you not love it?  It instantly reminds me of summer and it helps you look more tan than you already are.  

home.

Recently, I stumbled across this article.

Before I get too far this post, let me just say that for the record...I am not hating on traveling.   I think traveling is an incredible experience.  However, you can still grow and find yourself while your feet are firmly planted on the soil of your own country.  After all, it's where you live.  You might as well make the most of it.  

I haven't been on too many big trips.  I went to Costa Rica when I was in middle school.  It was incredible.  It was so neat so see a culture I hadn't experienced.  To see how people lived in a different country.  It was definitely eye opening.

I know several people that have had once in a lifetime opportunities that included foreign countries.  I think that is great.

As for me, I have grown the most right here in the United States of America.

I think of Wisconsin.  Where I was born and lived for only a few short years, but some of our dearest family friends are still there, and we visit them often.  I think of summer memories at our family cabin filled with friends and family.

I think of Minnesota.  Where I call home.  Where my parents live. Where I look forward to visiting on vacation.  I think of high school, and all of the fun and dumb times that came with it.  I think of friends who have come and gone and friends who have come and stayed.

I think of Idaho.  The home to my alma mater.  Endless classes and homework.  Opportunities to learn and grow.  The first time I really left home.

I think of Virginia.  Where I put my life on hold to go for 18 months to teach others about the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints.  I think of the people I met and loved.  I think of some of the greatest people I have ever met, and how you truly never know what people are going through.

I think of Utah.  Where I never imagined in my wildest dreams I would ever find myself living.  Yet I love it.  I think of some of the best people I have ever met and how fortunate I feel to call them friends.  I think of my first real job and learning how to budget and pay real bills.

I love this country, rich with culture and experience that I get to live in.

So when you travel, love every minute of it.  Grow and learn from it.  But don't sell your own country short.  We have so much to learn from where we call home.

ps.  two posts in one moth has happened since I don't even know when.

run a marathon. check.

Remember this post?

Maybe not.  That's ok.  I'll fill you in.

I've always dreamed of being a runner.

On May 24, 2011, I wrote down that I wanted to one day run a marathon.  I will admit that at the time I thought the goal was lofty, and let's be honest, that it would never happen.

At one point in time I decided I was actually going to get a handle on running.  I was going to do this.  I was going to be a runner.  I figured I'd probably still never run a marathon, but a girl can dream, right?

I am horribly embarrassed to say that when I first started running I could not even run one mile without stopping.  Literally (a word that should only be used with careful consideration).

Eventually, it got easier.  I ran a few 5ks, 10ks and eventually worked my way up to a half marathon.  Then another.  Take note: do not sign up for races when you are still on the high of your most current race.  Or maybe do, sometimes we can all benefit from a little bit of delusion.

After my second half marathon I thought "You know what, why not?". And that was that.  Before I could worry and over analyze too much I went right to the SLC Marathon website and registered.  I registered for a freaking marathon.  #twentysixpointtwomiles

I had immediate buyers remorse and a pit of impending doom was slowly beginning to form in my stomach.

But I paid for it.  I had well over four months to train.  So I found a twenty week training program and got to work.

My training wasn't perfect.  I had slow days and fast days.  I had days that I made time for my runs and long runs that were skipped. I had friends that dropped me off at the top of canyons and awaited my phone call in case something happened.

Race Eve came.  I picked up my packet.  Wanted to cry.   Signed the mural for the victims of Boston.   Carb loaded with a friend and didn't fall asleep until the wee hours of Race Day.  I got to the start line, still entirely unaware of what I was actually getting myself into.

The start signal sounded and we were off.

Salt Lake graced us with rain.  The.  Entire.  Time.

But you know what?

I finished.

I had two of my best friends in SLC waiting to greet me at the finish line.

auld lang syne

"Some people swear there's no beauty left in the world, no magic. Then how do you explain the entire world coming together on one night to celebrate the hope of a new year?"
(-"new year's eve")

Even though I'm a few days late, I'm still grateful and anxious for the new year.  There's nothing more exciting than a fresh and clean slate.  Nothing but opportunities lie ahead.

So maybe that quote came from an incredibly cheesy movie that I may or may not enjoy (if you haven't watched it yet, I have two words for you.  Zac.  Efron.).

There is something truly unique about New Year's Eve.  It's arguably the only holiday that the entire world celebrates all together. Regardless of your race, religion, etc.

2012 had its great moments and its less than desirable moments.  Bring on 2013.

things i'm afraid to tell you

I am officially the worst blogger ever.  Like, ever.

On occasion I stumble across a blog and I just can't get enough of it.  Like this blog.  And the topic of this post that I'm obsessed with.

There truly is something entirely liberating about sharing your deepest fears and insecurities.  Even more so when they are shared with strangers.  So if you're reading this and I have never actually met you, thank you.  If I do know you, odds are you've already seen my crazy side.  


What would I be afraid to tell you?

By all means, read on.

1.  I don't like sushi and I am entirely unconvinced that people are telling the truth when they say they do.  I think it's a fad and people like it to look trendy and hip.  Sorry.  I would rather have just about anything else, possibly even a nasty mushroom, than raw fish wrapped in dried out seaweed (which people claim to crave?!) any day.

2.  I'm running a marathon (in theory) in April and I am terrified.  It has been sitting on my bucket list forever and I finally decided that I knew I would never do it unless I threw caution to the wind and signed up for one.  The entry fee is also a pretty good motivator.  So far I have survived two half marathons.  But only time will tell.  Besides, those were halves.  Not a full.

3.  Almost all of my friends and old roommates from college are married slash having kids and I fear that it will never be me.  Not in a fishing for compliments type of way.  At all.  Because that's obnoxious.  I'm only 25 and single, but in Mormon years that's practically dinosaur status.

4.  I don't want to start playing the violin again because I don't want to face all the years I wasted.  But when your teacher drops you, a young student with willing parents and grandparents to pay the fees, because you aren't progressing fast enough, it's pretty good motivation to stop forever.

5.  I have neurofibromatosis.  A dominant genetic condition that I have a 50% chance of passing on to my kids regardless of the genes of my future husband.      

mexivegan.

If you know anything about me you know how much I love cheese. Seriously. I blame it on being born in America's dairy land.

When I decided to incorporate some vegan dishes into my diet I silently mourned the decreasing cheese presence in my life. Which is why I will never go 100% vegan.

I also couldn't try a vegan cheese replacement because I knew I would resent it and would be wishing I was eating real cheese instead.

So I set out to make a quesadilla that would taste delicious and have zero cheese (real or fake).

Enter the sweet potato and black bean quesadilla.

I found a few versions online and just kind of combined all of them with some of my own variations.

I started by puréeing a sweet potato. Since I didn't have time to roast it first I just wrapped it in wet paper towels and Saran wrap and popped it in the microwave. I know the theory that microwaves take away the nutritional value but turns out its just an urban legend. Not that that theory has stopped me before.

After I had some purée I went a little crazy and started adding whatever veggies I had on hand. Corn, black beans, green onions and spinach.

Seasoned it with hot sauce and cayenne pepper.

Let me put in a plug for my most favorite hot sauce.  Use whatever you want, but this brand will definitely do the job.

Then I spread the mixture on a tortilla and cooked it up.

I also made some fresh guacamole to smear on top.

And guess what?

It was good.

I'm not going to say that it tasted exactly like a quesadilla with cheese. Because it didn't. Because there was no cheese. But. It was good. And I didn't even mind that it was sans queso.

vegan baking take one.

OK guys.
Here it is.  My first attempt at vegan cooking.  And I don't mean a dish, like a salad, that just happens to be vegan.

I mean legitimate, conscious effort, bona fide, straight up (you get the idea...) vegan cooking.

The first idea was sparked from this post on one of my new blog crushes (seriously, I lose track of time so bad it's not even funny reading through her blog.  Not to mention it blows my mind that she has over 4,000 followers.  Kudos).

If you clicked on the link, you already know that this recipe has only TWO ingredients.  That's right, two.

A brownie mix and a can of black beans (I guess technically there are three including the water.  Even more technically four if you add vanilla, but still pretty simple).  Yep.  Black BEANS.  I've heard of beans in baking before, but was never daring enough to actually try it.  Although, the other recipe called for a can of pork and beans, which eliminates the vegan factor.

I fudged (see what I did there?) the recipe a little, except minus the fudge part because she used a fudge brownie mix too, and decided to go for the regular brownie mix and not the reduced fat one.  I also omitted the chocolate chips and added just a little bit of vanilla, like a teaspoon or so.

As much as I love baking and baking from scratch, I'm not above the convenience of a boxed whatever mix, especially when you're trying things out for the first time.

Before you go running for your barf bags, trust me.  These brownies are delicious.  This is coming from someone who used to hate beans and still slightly dry heaves at the thought of refried beans.

I took my chances when my roommates weren't home and hurried to whip up this recipe before they had the chance to think that I really lost my mind.  One of them has already mentioned that I'm "really going all out" when she saw my soy milk in the fridge.  Which I'm still not entirely sure I'm actually going to drink.  For now I plan on using it as an ingredient when cooking.

But back to the brownies.

If you didn't click on the link, but really you should, because her blog is that cool, I'll give you the run down.

Drain and rinse the can of beans.
Put in a blender.
Add a cup of water.
Pulverize the living daylights out of the beans until they are smooth.
Add to the brownie mix.
Stir.
Bake according to the directions.
Enjoy.

That is it.
So Easy.
So Delicious.
Seriously.  They're thick and chewy and don't taste like beans.
So vegan.

I wasn't looking for a vegan brownie recipe when I stumbled across this gem and it isn't even advertised as vegan and busy bee lauren isn't even vegan herself.  But I noticed that all of the two ingredients are vegan friendly.  Yep.  Including the brownie mix.  At least as far as I can tell (cocoa powder is vegan  and it seems like the chocolate in the mix would be the only questionable ingredient).  Even if it ends up not being vegan, it's darn close and my first attempt.  So haters can step off.  At least I'm trying.

I'm trying this one next.

letters to myself

Dear future self,


This month’s fast Sunday was really good. They usually are, but it’s interesting how on occasion every word seems to be exactly what you need to hear at just that moment. It’s been happening a lot lately when I go to church, especially on the Sundays where we abstain from food and water for that set of time, that I find answers to my prayers in the heart felt testimony of others. I wish I could write a thank you card to each person whose testimony has comforted my heart and calmed my worries. But I’d be running out of stamps like you wouldn’t even believe, so I hope that somehow they can feel in return that their words were successful and touched someone.

I hope you remember how you felt each of those times. When hard times arise and trials come a knocking, I hope you remembered how you felt sitting in that chapel. I hope you remember feeling the peace the gospel brings. I hope you allowed that peaceful feeling to pull you through whatever times lie ahead. Hard and good. Because at the end of the day, that’s all that matters. The truth of the gospel.

Sometimes I wish there really was a way I could contact you. Or look into a crystal ball. Or something.

I wonder what life will bring, and if I’m doing the right things to bring it about. If I’m living in the right city. If I’m working at the right job. If I’m associating with the right people.

I wish that you could give me some advice. Answer some of my questions. You could let me know that it really is about time I start worrying less, although it’s still something you’re working on, but making improvements. To really go for your goals. That nothing is too far from reach. That as much as you wish, life will never be as simple as it was on your mission. But that doesn’t need to be a burden or something to resent. That the greater the risk, the greater the reward. To take some chances. To continue doing everything you’re doing.

I suppose that’s the beauty of life. That we don’t always know, but we can know it’s right. That if we’re doing the right thing that it can’t not work out. We know when we’re doing the right thing. We know when we aren’t. We can always try a little harder and we always know in which areas.

Sincerely,
current Christine

adventures in (mostly) plant based eating. part one.

Vegetarian and vegan diets have always seemed intriguingly defeating. Because here's the thing. I'm not going to say that I will never eat something again because I like cheese and I like bacon. But I will say that I am open to the possibility of having a primarily plant based diet where I incorporate more fresh and natural foods into my diet with a very occasional bacon cheeseburger and no guilt.  My eating habits aren't horrible but they can definitely be improved.

So my quest began. But on these conditions.

1. I wasn't going to eat the vegetarian or vegan version of something. My sister went vegan for a while and I didn't understand how her preservative filled veggie shreds replacement for cheese was any better than eating real cheese on occasion. Isn't the point to get away from those food products? It seemed contradictory. I wanted to have meals that were mostly fruit, vegetable and grain based.

2. I wasn't going to go 100% in any direction.  I will never go totally vegetarian or vegan because even though more veggies will never hurt,  I like meat and other animal products and in moderation they can be totally nutritious. The one thing I remember from my nutrition class that I may or may not have almost failed was that although you can get complete proteins from other sources, your body still absorbs complete proteins best from meat. 

3. The ingredients used in dishes I would make had to be either be readily on hand or easy to find. I didn't want to go on a wild goose chase for an obscure oil extracted from a plant that only grows at a certain temperature on the east facing mountain side of a far off country.

4. It had to be nutritionally based and beneficial. Sure one can be vegetarian and not eat meat, but I don't really think that french fries and mac and cheese are better options.

5. They had to be real meals and not just apples and celery sticks for the rest of my life.

6. I couldn't break the bank while eating this way. I'm not going to do it if I have to give up an important limb or my first born child.

7.  This way of eating will be used as a way to implement healthier eating habits.  Not completely change the way I eat just some simple and healthy changes.  I figure making a vegetarian or vegan meal a few times a week will help me eat veggies in a more creative way without getting tired of them because one can only eat a side of broccoli so many days in a row.   

8. Tofu scares me. Which I realize is more of a fact than a condition, but pertinent none the less.

I know that I'm jumping to a lot of ignorant conclusions, but I think most would agree that these are concerns when it comes to plant based diets, especially a vegan one.

I scoured the Internet and talked to coworkers and friends who ate vegan or vegetarian diets and the response was exciting.

Sure, I found a lot of recipes with a lot of very strange ingredients that I immediately discarded. But I also found an aresenal of resources for easy, simple and delicious sounding meals that you don't necessarily have to be vegetarian or vegan to enjoy.

Here goes nothing.

Stay tuned for updates.

untitled.

pre script.
I try really hard to stay away from negative rants and complaining on my blog (which isn't the intention of this post, but I could see how it might be seen that way), and I REALLY don't mean to start a pity party or a "woe is me" but here it goes.

A lot of us, nay, all of us, know all too well the frustrations of dating and being single (as in not married, not necessarily not dating, but not dating can also be included).  These frustrations can come at any stage in life, right?

So, I really wish that when the topic comes up among friends and I try to give my two cents that every conversation wouldn't go like this.

How old are you?


25.


(almost always cue eye roll)


Just give it a few more years.  Till you're my age.

Why does it matter what age we are or aren't?  We're both on the same path.  Looking for that eternal someone and we both still haven't found them.  What does age have to do with it at all?  I'd put a pretty penny down that we won't even be defined by age in the eternities

I don't think age matters or that being older gives you more right to complain because we still both yearn for our eternal family to start.  What is a few more years going to do?  Give me more time to play and avoid responsibility?  Isn't that what our church leaders have counseled us not to do?  Not that we can't enjoy life.  We can have fun and take advantage of the time we have when we're single but our quest and our focus should be finding an honorable eternal companion during all of that free time and fun having.  Not sitting around until we reach a certain age and becoming frustrated and then doing something about it.

Sure, a lot of my current associates may have a good 3-5+ years on me, and I'm sure with each passing year it does get harder.  But someone being a few years older than me and single doesn't take away my insecurities when it comes to dating.  No matter how much younger I am, this is the stage that I am at and I'm trying to do what I can.  Just like you, just like everyone.

I have in mind what I'd like for a future husband and I try my best to have the qualities that one might like in a future wife all while trying to progress (and not always succeeding) on my own--working full time, developing new skills, maybe continuing my education--and I do those things to prepare for the future when that time does come to take a step closer to eternity.

Although it can get discouraging, it is still important that we don't let our situations get us down.  We need to focus on what we have and not what we don't have.  Sure, I look forward to marriage as much as the next person.  I think it's going to be great and that it will bring more opportunities to learn and grow in a unique setting.  But since I'm not there yet, I need to enjoy life now and all the benefits that my current stage brings, which mindset I hope to always have.  To be happy where I am, but not complacent.  To be content but always striving for more while not letting frustrations or disappointments in attempts hinder my progression to the next phase, and once we get to that next phase to keep progressing.
There is always room for growth and improvement.


That's all.

my admittedly naive perception of parenthood.

(source)

Sometimes I wonder what life will bring me as a mother.  I'm nowhere near that phase of life, but I find myself thinking about it often.  Obviously I don't know my future kids yet, since you know, I haven't had them yet and I probably need to meet another significant person first.  

If all would go according to my selfish plans, I would like to get married and work for the first few years of marriage to help save for the day when we do decide to start our family.  I don't know what phase of life my husband will be in when that time comes.  If he'll be in school or if he's already working full time.  I know motherhood/parenthood is important, but I want to be prepared for it, including financially.  Working for a few years will give me and whoever is at my side the opportunity to save so we can adequately provide for our future family.  But you hear over and over how people weren't planing on starting their family when she/their wife got pregnant and somehow they made it work, so I probably shouldn't worry that much, but me not worrying is like asking the sun not to shine.  Simply impossible.  

Motherhood is a responsibility that requires work.  Hard work that lasts past office hours (fatherhood too).  I admire women that stay at home with their kids all day long.  It is very selfless of them.  The same for men.  Lots of men are stay at home dads for one reason or another.

What about the woman who goes into the office?  Does she somehow fulfill her role of motherhood less?  I know I'm not a mom or a wife, so my opinion might seem skewed and naive, but I can still plan for the future.  I look forward to the day when I can stay home with my children and create a home while my husband works alongside me contributing to the environment of our home while working in the office and providing in a different way for our family. 

However, I'd rather err on the side of caution.  What if he can't get a job?  What if, heaven forbid, something happens and he is unable to work?  Or what if we have bills that we did not prepare for and his financial earnings are not enough?  

Am I making any sense?  

I guess what I'm trying to say is that some mothers work in the home and some work out of the home and they are both working for the love of their family.  Any mom is a full time working woman.  Men and women are equal in parenting.  For the most part their roles are different but perhaps at times they will have to help with the other's traditional role.  But at the end of the day they are equal.  Fighting for the same purpose, to protect and provide for their family.  

just for fun

I saw these two commercials at work today (we have the TV playing for patients in the waiting room--conveniently where my desk is located).

I don't know why, they're kind of silly, but they were just what my Monday needed.  Just a little something simple to brighten my day.  I hope they do the same for you. 





which led me to this one



oh.  and this one too. 

let freedom ring and dear boys 3 liberty style

The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays.  I just love it, love it, love it.  I know at times there seems to be a lot to worry about concerning the future of our country, but the Fourth seems to be the one day that we can forget all of those worries and focus on the great freedoms that we do have because of our founding fathers no matter who is currently sitting in the oval office.  America will always be the land of the free and the home of the brave. 

Three Fourth of Julys ago I was in Virginia (two I was in North Carolina, last I was in Idaho and this one I'm in Utah  I've almost made it coast to coast!).  I wish I could say that I took the time to reflect on what it was like to be within the vicinity of land rich with history that founded this great country.  But I didn't.  I was selfish and worried that I wouldn't see fireworks.  It was one of my first days in Virginia as a full time missionary.  We had the whole day planned out and it was going to be perfect.  A local member graciously agreed to take us and a lady we were currently teaching about 30 minutes away to Norfolk (which is home to one of the largest military bases) so she could witness a baptism.  

The day started out at approximately 100 degrees F and 100% humidity.  It was so freaking hot and I was dripping buckets of sweat within minutes of stepping outside.  The day went on.  We couldn't get a hold of the member who was going to take us.  The lady we were teaching called us and told us not only did she not want to go to the baptism but she didn't want us to come by anymore.  Not at all.  

I don't even know what we ended up doing that day.  But I do remember wishing I was at home with my family and on my way to the cabin where we would spend the day boating, grilling and watching fireworks.  I just wanted to see some fireworks.  As we pulled into the apartment complex that evening to finally end our day, off in the distance I saw some fireworks and it was the perfect ending to a perfectly trying day.  

This year I will be celebrating the 4th Salt Lake style by doing the most American thing possible.  Eating meat and watching fireworks.  

Also.

Elise, over at Elise's Pieces had FOUR new little images today to go along with her dear boys series and I couldn't pick just one.  So I fashioned up a little image and decided to use all four (Elise--I hope that's OK.  I put the source underneath.  If it's not, let me know and I will gladly take it down)

(source)

Dear America,

Thank you for being all cool and free.  I'm sorry people are freaking out about who your next leader will be.  But that's never going to change.

Dear Virginia,

Thank you for teaching me the importance and value of the military and all of our honorable service men and women.

Dear every military person ever and all of their family,

Thank you for all of your sacrifices that protect our freedoms.

Dear quiet boy,

We'll both be seeing fireworks tonight.  Too bad they're actual fireworks...

Dear past boy,

I hope you enjoy your 4th in DC.  I'm slightly jealous.  

Dear Utah,

Kenneth, aka, NBC's greatest page ever, once said "I think there's a lot about this world that we don't understand, like the afterlife or how bread becomes toast".


You know what else I bet Kenneth wouldn't understand?  Utah's obsession with ranch dressing.  Maybe it's not limited to Utah, but I swear, it's not a party if ranch dressing isn't invited.  Also, in Utah it's not even ranch dressing.  It's simply ranch.  You will commonly hear "where's the ranch?!" at any event involving food.


When I first went to college, which granted was in Idaho, (so maybe this post should be "Dear Utah AND Idaho") I was at Cragio's (or maybe we were ordering pizza late one night after curfew.  I can't really remember.  So many stories from college somehow involve pizza.  Riiiiiiiight?  Who's with me?) with my roommates and one of them insisted that we don't forget the ranch.  Ranch?  With pizza?  I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt since she was from Ohio but, the more and more I ate pizza in Idaho with more and more different people EVERYONE currently residing in Idaho had ranch as a dipping side. 
  
When I was a cycling instructor the fitness activities board went on a retreat and the coordinator told us that the first thing she made sure she bought was ranch dressing.  She said, to quote "I didn't even know what we'd be eating yet, but I knew we had to have ranch".  


When I moved to Utah the ranch dressing madness only continued.  I quickly learned that ranch was not limited to salad and pizza.  People put it on EVERYTHING.  Even just recently at work, someone had to make sure that ranch would make an appearance at the baked potato bar.  

The other day I was at the grocery store when I almost stopped dead in my tracks.  

This one grocery store had more types of ranch than I could possibly imagine.  There were different brands, different sizes and different flavors.  Then there were individual dipping sizes and powder mix in case you wanted to make your own dressing at home.  I was in total shock.  I am not kidding when I say there were at least twenty varieties of ranch dressing.  TWENTY.  Read 'em and weep ladies and gents.  I couldn't even adequately capture all of the varieties in these quick shots.  

Although, I will admit, that the bacon flavored ranch almost caught my attention.  Because bacon makes everything better.  

I beg your pardon?

Do you ever have those moments in a conversation where you are so caught off guard you have no idea how to respond?


Here are some of mine. 
Conversations I have actually had or things that people have actually said to me.

  

“Girrrrrrrrl.  You make Springtime look great.”

(said by someone potentially high and/or hung-over)

“Are you white?”

(read here for more details)

“Is he cute?”

“YEAH!”

“…really?”

(as if a cute boy could be interested in me?)

“You can make donuts?  I thought they were something you just bought.”

(umm…….)

“I’ll go on a date.  But I’m not going to kiss you just yet.”

(Thanks for the warning?)

"Wow.  This is taking a really long time.  I guess it's because I'm used to drawing skinny people."

(Is that a fat joke?)

"You're so good.  You're just such....a sweet spirit."

(do you know what that phrase means?)

And quite possibly my all time favorite...

“You’re a classy broad.”

(thank you 60 year old man that visits me at my desk)

dear boys 2

I'm hooked.

I love reading these letters written for anonymous boys.  I just can't get enough of it.







Dear quiet boy,
I'm pretty sure that we both know, and that we both know we both know.  Make sense?  All I'm saying is, it would be a guaranteed yes.  Just ask.  Just saying.
 
Dear neighbor boy,
I'm sending the missionaries over whether you like it or not.

Dear testimony boy,
I'm still dying on the inside and getting over the fact that you actually said "go out and get some" from the pulpit.  Didn't think that one through, did you?

Dear Justin Bieber boy,
Why oh why do your tickets have to be $200?  Don't you know that your fans are poor working girls?

Dear tall boy,
You would have an incredibly cute girlfriend.

name alert

I'm trying to amp up my blog.  AKA, lay out makeover (which is still in edit mode) and title.