Always able to make me smile!!!

So after realizing that I have written from depressing blog posts, I thought I would post about what always brings a smile to my face. That would have to be the two cutest little boys on the planet, though I am a little bias. There are pictures from when I babysat them over Christmas. Eli was putting together his invention called the "Pipe 3000" which is not in any of the pics below.

Funny Eli!!!

I love this picture because West looks so confused. He is so cute!!!

In Honor of Valentine's Day...

I thought I would share some amusing antidotes about my dating life. You see, I seem only attract the weirdos for some reason. I really do. I think it is in my DNA and sometimes I think it is almost too much to ask for just a normal guy. Just one normal guy, he can even be semi normal. After what I had this past year, semi normal sounds good.

So to prove my point about the weirdness, here are some of the highlights from this past year:

1. I knew going to that date auction was a bad idea. At this time, last summer, my ward had older men in it, and by older, I mean over 40. My biggest fear was that one would win my date and lo and behold, God did not let me down. This 40 plus man won and we went out to a nice steakhouse. He is a nice guy, but all he could talk about was how he needed to find his "eternal companion." You know, take that next step. I have never heard the phrase used so much. And the whole time, I kept thinking, you are like ten years younger than my parents. He wanted to take a stroll by the Charles, but I convinced him to walk me to the subway. He asked me out again, but I just told him we needed to be friends. He now avoids me.

2. So only Renee has heard this tale and probably Lewis. This past fall, I was browsing this store in Harvard Square and I noticed this guy hovering next to me. He finally told me that he was jogging by and saw me through the window and thought I was so beautiful that he had to ask me out. I was flattered. This never happens to me, but only to other people. I agreed and thought he has initiative, which some guys in my ward seem to lack. He asked me for my number and said he would call me. So we arranged to go see Stomp and have dinner. Before my date, I made sure my sister and roommates knew the details. I even programmed a text to my sister to call me with an emergency if I needed an out.

I never should have gone. I told him at our initial meeting, I grow up near L.A. He decided to prep for our date by watching season 1 of Melrose Place because everyone in California has watched it. I should have taken that for a sign on how the date would go. He told me he failed out of Dental School because he never studied and was now studying to be an accountant so he could make a lot of money, but he did not like studying for that either. He kept referring to my school as Smith, no matter how many times I called it Simmons. We had nothing in common. No spark, no anything. He spent the whole show staring at me. It was uncomfortable. As I went to the bathroom, I thought I need to leave, but I had forgotten my coat.

After the show, which was really good, he took me to Legal Seafoods. You know the date is bad when your waitress feels sorry for you. He just has no people skills. I laid our jacket between us and did not say much. I finally escaped to the bathroom where my cell phone got no signal. It just felt weird and I knew I had to leave. As I walked out of the bathroom, he was standing there, waiting for me. To get back to the table, you had to walk up these stairs. Walking up he trailed behind me. I was disgusted. All I wanted to do was take a shower. We sat down and I quizzed him on where he lived because we were not going home the same way. I found out he lived on the opposite side of town from me. I never told him my last name or where I lived and he apparently did not learn where I went to school. He walked me to the T station where he proceeded to tell me how attracted he was to me and wanted to go out again. He pulled out his cell phone and told me to call him. I said good night and just bolted. I ran to catch the train and laughed and cried the whole way home. I have learned my lesson about dating non LDS guys. Never again.

3. I had a little admirer in my new ward. He was socially awkward and did not pick up on my social cues that I was not interested in him. He is a nice guy, but his actions towards me just made church feel a little uncomfortable to the point that I had to make sure I sat between two friends and avoided him. I finally told him I was not interested and if you want to know his response, email me. I wish him the best, but he was not for me.

After things like this, I wonder what is wrong with me? Why do I attract such odd guys? It drives me crazy and makes me hate dating. The other week, we had this FHE where it was dividing into small dinner groups and I did not go because all I could think was I will just end up with more socially awkward guys. Sometimes, I feel some people think I should just settle for any guy. But I don't feel that way. With marriage, you cannot just settle for anything. For the first offering. Some days, I am just so jealous of Renee and Nathan. I envy them. I do, but it passes. They have everything I want. I just hate that this is such a difficult part of my life. I feel that everything for me has to be this huge challenge. Just, what is wrong with me? I feel it has to be me.

So, those with significant others, cherish your loved ones. Have a great Valentine's day!!!

These are a few of my favorite things!!!

1. Silk long underwear. Has to be on of the best inventions of all time. I wear it everyday under my clothes and it keeps me wear. Thanks mom!

2. My long down coat. This coat has saved me this winter. It is long and warm. Also, I need to add that this fleece Nathan and Laurel got me for Christmas is another layer of warmness I wear like everyday.

3. Boots.

4. Gloves and warm hats

5. Heat

6. Flannel sheets

7. Down comforters

8. Thick socks

9. Scarves

10. Blankets

Can you tell I live where it is freezing cold at the moment?

Just so tired of it....

The other week, my sister wrote a blog post about how if people want to talk to her, they just need to pick up the phone and call her. It is so true. There seems to be this idea going around that she and I need to call everyone and keep up with all these relationships. Basically, it means the other person has to do absolutely nothing, but complain when I apparently do not call them or do not give them all my undivided attention. Hey, I have a busy life. I go to school full time, work part time, plus I have homework. I am on board with Renee. If you want to talk to me, just call me. I am tired of being the one who always has to carry the relationship. Who always has to call, who always has to make this huge, grand effort because heaven forbid if I don't, I am called rude and mean. I am being accused of ignoring people.

You know what, I know I am none of that. I am tired of this crap. Tired of being the one who has to carry the relationship. I decided last year that I was done with this. If people really want a meaningful relationship with me, they can put in some effort on their end. And you know what, it is not that hard to contribute to a relationship. Ask Renee, ask my parents, ask my Grandma Lakey, ask my friends here, as my cousin Jessica. You can just decide, hey I want to talk to Janae. If I do not pick up, leave a message and I will call you back. Instead of continuing to think why does not she call me, she must hate me. I do not. I am tired of doing everything because it can be exhausting. Instead, maybe you should think I should reach out to her. What's up with her? Maybe I should actually put some effort into this relationship so it is not all on Janae. So please remember this the next time you want to tell me my mom how rude I am!

Can you guess the book? giveaway

So I have read many blogs these past few days that have been having giveaways. I decided to have on myself. The prize is described at the end.

This semester, I am taking a class about providing Reference Services to patrons. Yes, I know you all wish you were taking this class too!!! The other night we were talking about interacting with patrons and answering their requests, especially concerning removing books that some patrons think are unsuitable for public viewing. My professor worked for the Orland public libraries for many years and told us an occasion where a woman came up to him at the reference desk and asked that the library remove this certain book for all the public libraries. She said she thought the book was "evil" and "dangerous" and that she did not want her children or other children to be able to read it. My professor relayed her request to the proper people, but they decided not to remove the book.

This woman would not let the issue go. She kept pushing for the libraries to remove all copies of this book because it was again "evil." When the libraries would not budge, she checked out all 180 copies and refused to return them. As the books were property of the county, they sent a sheriff to her house to get all the copies back. This was back in like 2000. Can you guess the book? I will give you some hints, it is a book for children, young adults and even adults enjoy reading this book. It is part of a series and I love this book! Many of you have read it too. First to get it right and you will win something from Mike's Pastry, this italian pastry shop. It will be anything of your choosing, which I will send to you. And you can guess up to three times.

Happy 30th!!!

On February 2, 30 years ago, my parents were married for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles Temple. Yes, they were married on Ground Hog's Day. I want to wish them a happy anniversary (hopefully, they will read my blog soon!) I love them. They truly are each other's soul mate. Here's to you mom and dad. In the past 30 years, they have raised three children, seen all three graduate from college, have two children who have married and the greatest joy of their lives and the role they truly relish is being grandparents. They love Eli and West so much!

My Dad and Mom at my sister's wedding this past summer.

At my sister's graduation. My dad, my sister Renee, my mom, me, and my brother Nathan.

My dad with West (Sorry this is not the best picture)

My mom and Eli! (Note: I am not the best photographer in the world. I knew I should have stolen pictures from Laurel)

The Happy Couple!!!