Loving Banana Republic

Yesterday, my roommate and I decided to head over to the mall to do a little shopping because we just needed a break from school and work. We decided to look through Banana Republic because she had to return some pants. Also, they were selling dresses for $98 and less. I decided to browse through the sales racks because they had tons of clothes. Looking through the pants because I need some black slacks for work, I was not finding anything good. Then bingo, I came upon these pant wide leg pants. Looking at the price tag, they were on sale for $13.97 and they were in my size. Originally, they were $98. Score!!! I tried them on and they fit perfectly. Also, I tried on this green and white summery dress. I liked it, but it was expensive and I could not justify purchasing it. Another time. So I got the pants. The girl at the cashier did a double take, but she was like you got the best deal ever. Yeah for good deals!!! Now, if only that dress would go on sale. Well, it was, but I do not consider $98 a bargain. Sorry, sales girl who tried so hard to get me to buy it. I had will power.

Also, happy easter to everyone. My day was fabulous. This was the first easter I spent away from my family, but I had such a good day. Church was great and afterwards, my roommate and I put a on brunch for some of our friends. It was good. I made two quiches, one with bacon, spinach, and swiss cheese (Thank you Paula Deen) and one with red pepper, spinach, and cheddar cheese (this one without a crust too). Plus, I made this fantastic lemon cake by Martha Stewart, which I cannot stop eating. The gym will be fun tomorrow. If anybody wants the recipes, leave me a comment and I will post them. They were fantastic. A few people who did not like quiche, told me I converted them. My roommate, Rebecca made waffles. Other dishes included potatoes, pepperoni cottage cheese bread (the best bread on this planet, my friend Eric made it and it is delicious), fruit, and a cupcake bunny cake. Plus, our conversations ventured from everything from frictionless cars to bird surgeries to bugle time sharing. During this last mentioned conversation I could not stop laughing. Bugle time sharing was just hilarious. We are a crazy bunch. It was good.

On another note, gosh this post is going everywhere, I am thankful for my friends out here. They are my second family. When I moved out here in September, I made the decision to meet people quickly. I tend to want to flee and be by myself, but I knew I could not do that. I would not survive that way. I took up offers of hanging out or going places to get to know people. It has really paid off. The people out here, both in my ward and at school, are great. They are one of the reasons I can do this. The starting of this semester was rough to say the least. I was homesick, stressed about finding a job, beginning school, and I broke up with my boyfriend. Everything just caved in on me at once and I did not know what I was doing. My emotions were all over the map, just ask Renee. My family back home was very supportive, but I think it was difficult to truly articulate what I was going through to them. They were some days I just did not want to get out of bed. I did not feel it was even worth it. I hit rock bottom.

My mom would just say go do something and I would and it helped. However, it was these people out here who made the difference. They invited me out to do things or just lended an ear. I never had a weekend go by when I was not out doing something. This past weekend, one of the talks focused on ways of overcoming challenges. One of his suggestions was laughter. Laughter works. It is a great cure all. I laughed with them about stupid things, i.e. bugle time sharing. They helped get me out of this awful period of my life. I do not even think they knew what they were doing, but they were an answer to my prayers. I am very thankful for them. I love them very much! Happy Easter!!!

Hello Spring, Good-bye Winter!!!

Officially, I can now say I survived my first New England winter. I sloshed through snow, survived bone chilling winds, dealth with four o'clock in the afternoon sunsets and lack of light, and did not freeze to death. From this, I found that my new favorite pair of clothing are silk long johns. They really keep you warm. Plus, you become a fan of layering, thicks socks, and rain boots. I love rain boots. I remember growing up laughing at the phrase "When it rains, it pours." Guess what, out here, it is true, but you survive it by wearing rain boots and having a sturdy umbrella. WIth steady rain, I mean it rained for days and days without letting it, many puddles developed and having rain boots allows you to walk right through them and protects your pants. However, they are not the easiest things to wear. I ate it walking up stairs a few times, but that was probably due to the lack of any coordination skills.

Now, the weather is turning to spring after surviving five straight days of rain to begin April. At least it was not like the beginning of March, where the newscaster was laughing that we had not had one day over freezing to begin the month. It really rings true out here the saying "April Showers, Bring May Flowers." Everything is just waiting to bloom. I am so excited because spring is beautiful out here. The trees to go green and purple flowers bloom everywhere. Do not worry, I will take and post pictures. The weather is nice before the arrival of summer and humidity. Oh, the joys of living by the ocean. But I made it. Winter did not kill me and I am better prepared for next year.

Missy Higgins

Tonight, I was invited by some friends to hear a free concert by Australian artist Missy Higgins at the Boston Public Library. She is huge in Australia and after tonight, I understand why. Her music is beautiful. Her song "Where I Stood" is so beautiful. Go to I-Tunes and check her out.

Weird Happenings

Today, while riding the train to work, I noticed this guy staring at me. He was cute and dressed in a suit and Red Sox cap. As we are approaching my stop, he comes up to me and says, "Sweetie, you should remove your Calvin Klein label tag from your coat sleeve." On the bottom of my coat sleeve, was this small tag. Honestly, I did not know I needed to remove it. I wore it all winter and no one said anything. That is why the world needs gay men. They help us with any clothing needs.

Second, Red Sox baseball has officially begun here in Boston. Yesterday though the game was rained out because since April began all it has done is rain. It makes me miss the snow. The town has basically come to a stand still. People have camped out since Sunday to get tickets to opening day and my school is like right down the street from Fenway. I now have to plan my commute around game times because trains get crowded at odd times. Oh, how the Sox are beginning to effect my commuter patterns. Everyone is dressed up in their gear. Opening day needs to become a holiday out here.

Third, as I am exiting the train station, on my way home from work, there are people passing out literature. This was just not any literature, but on why London and the G-20 summit is destroying the world. It was hilarious. I just glanced at it and then tossed it. But this makes me look forward to being asked to join various organizations from Green Peace to the Democratic Party over the next few weeks. I never imagined I would be asked to join Green Peace, but I have. You can join for a small donation.

Those are my weird happenings for the day. On another note, I love my job. It is so great.

White Chip Chocolate Cookies

This weekend, I moved from pumpkin unto white chips. These are great cookies (a Nestle Toll House recipe), especially if you love white chocolate. Instead of using brown sugar, I used Splenda's brown sugar blend and they still tasted great.

Ingredients:

2-1/4 cups flour
2/3 cup baking cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup packed brown sugar or 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon brown sugar blend
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups (12-oz package) White Chocolate Chips

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in small bowl.
3. Beat butter, sugar, brown sugar and vanilla in large mixer bowl until creamy.
4. Add one egg at a time, beating well after each addition
5. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in chips.
6. Drop by well rounded teaspoons unto ungreased baking sheets
7. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until centers are set. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

If you want to make them a little healthier, substitute unsweetened applesauce for the butter.

Enjoy!!!!

On Ode to Renee!!!

Lately, I have been missing my sister. Though we talk all the time on the phone, it is hard to go long periods of time without seeing her. I go through what I term "Renee withdrawals." She is my best friend and the one person I tell everything too. I love her much and am so excited she is graduating next month. She is one of the smartest people I know and besides being a great sister, she is an awesome aunt, good daugther, and great friend. Plus, I love shopping with her and just hanging out. Here are some pics...

Renee and I at Canyonlands this past summer. We are rocking the leggings. I love leggings.
Renee at the Getty Villa in Malibu. It is gorgeous there and she loves this place. It is right on the ocean and is an Italian villa. She is going to run this place one day.

Renee and I (I realize I am wearing too much bronzer) on our way to a Police concert at the Hollywood Bowl. It was awesome.

I love this picture of Renee and Eli. She loves Eli and West more than anything in this world.

Renee and I at Disneyland this past New Year's Eve. It was fun and cold.

Only a few more weeks until we can hang out. I will be doing a mad dash from here to Salt Lake to get to her graduation. Lets just say my last class is the day before she graduates. I will be taking off after class to get their. I am so proud of all her accomplishments because she has worked for hard for everything. You are the best sister!!! Congrats on everything. I love you!!!

My New Job

Above, is a picture of the JFK Presidential Library and Museum, where I began my new job as an Oral History intern. As I am officially employed by the National Archives and Records Administration, which is a goverment ran agency, I was finger printed and am in the process of going through an extensive background check. This involves remembering where I lived for the past five years and so on. Lets just say it took awhile to fill out the forms.

The Library is located right on Boston Harbor and in the pavillion, there is a huge glass window that overlooks the ocean. It is beautiful to look out. However, I am down in the basement that has no windows, but I am loving my job. I am helping to transcribe oral history interviews and get them ready for publication on the library's website. The people I work with are fun and some are my fellow classmates. I am thankful for this oppurtunity as it allows me to further develope my skills as an archivist. Plus, I am learning much about JFK and his legacy. I love the museum. If you come visit me, you will have to come check it out.

Happy birthday to my sister-in-law, Laurel. You are the best!!!