Saturday, June 18, 2011

After a hurricane comes a rainbow.

Well it sure has been a while, hasn't it? Where to start? So much as happened since the last time I posted on here. No, really. SO MUCH. Warning*** This might turn into one of my long rants and be a drawn out posts. Maybe not. Maybe I'll get bored half way through and just quit. But that's not really me, now is it? And clearly if you're taking the time to read this it is probably because you know me pretty well. Or not. = )

Let's just start at the very beginning. After all it is a very good place to start. (And yes, I do hope you have the Sound of Music ringing in your ears.) Sunday, June 5, I woke up like any other day. Well if you've read my earlier posts you know all about my little bug problem. The answer to your question, is yes. The bugs were back. Not even four weeks later, and the bugs were back. Let's just say I didn't wake up on the right side of the bed that morning. I had pretty much had it. Went to church (so glad I had to be there to teach Sunday School cause otherwise I wouldn't have gone and that would have been the opposite of good). As soon as I got back from church I got online and went apartment hunting. Even drove around town to check out a few places from the outside. I made my plan immediately. As soon as I woke up Monday morning I was calling the exterminators to come back, and then going apartment hunting. Made an appointment for the bug killers to come on Wednesday and then went on my search.

Long story short I (by chance) drove by this one building and thought, hmmmm I should go see if they have any open units. Talked to Janet, the manager, and viewed their open one bedroom. 650 Square Feet and ready to move in immediately. As soon as I walked in something just clicked. I don't know how to explain it other than it just felt right. I guess my intuition kicked in. Told Janet I wanted it and then put down a $100 holding deposit.

Can I just say, that I have some FANTASTIC friends here in Salt Lake City. My friend Aubrey found out the bugs were back and offered to let me stay with her family at their house until I got everything worked out. Stayed there from Sunday night until Thursday morning when I was able to move in to the new place. Aubrey also helped me wash ALL of my clothes. She got her parents truck and helped me load up all my clothes and take them to the laundry mat. Washing your entire wardrobe is kind of a daunting task if you have to do it alone. On Thursday she helped me pack up my stuff and then took my mattress and futon cushion to the dump (no way I was gonna keep that stuff after a second infestation!). So much help. My friend George helped me load everything up in the old house and take it the new apartment building. No way I would have gotten the big stuff moved so fast without him. My friend Brandy helped me out a huge amount by letting me borrow her Nissan X-terra for the day. Let me tell you, that car holds a lot! It was way fun to be high up off the ground for once too. = ) I got ALL of my stuff in 3 loads. No WAY that would have happened in the bug. Also a big thanks to my parents for listening to me rant every day and helping me get stuff done.

Haha anyone else find it ironic that I'm having so many bug problems and I drive a VW bug?

The disappointing thing about all of this is that on June 6 (Monday) I was supposed to get in my car and drive to Redlands, CA for the Pokorny Seminar. A week of geeking out with some of the best low brass professionals around. I lost my $650 tuition because I had to cancel last minute. Let me tell you, that hurt. But, in the end I did the right thing. There is no way I could have left for a week with those stupid bugs crawling all over my things. And I guess if you look at it over a span of a few years, $650 isn't THAT much money. The good thing is I told my manager at Buca di Beppo what happened and she really helped me out by letting me go ahead and bump up from host to server! Used that entire week (that I was supposed to be gone) to get my training done.

So now I have a new apartment, with a fantastic kitchen, and plenty of space. Lots of natural light! I'm loving it. The funny thing though, is that I have ZERO furniture. Haha! I've got my futon frame, but no cushion. I've been sleeping on my good and faithful airbed and will be for quite a while. Gotta save up so I can buy some furniture. Big Lots here I come! Also I'm waiting a while to get internet and cable too. It's not like I'm there a lot any way right now. Those things can wait a bit.

I kind of don't mind not having furniture yet though. I'm not gonna lie. I am real freaked out that I brought some of the bugs with me from the other place. You would laugh at me if you opened my freezer cause I've got all these random things in bags just sitting in there. (Freezing your stuff for two weeks is another way to kill the buggies). I'm still finding dead ones in some of my stuff as I go through the boxes, which also doesn't help with the fear. At least if they somehow did follow me there I won't have to worry about them being in any of my stuff, cause I don't have a lot of stuff! Haha! Only time will tell. Until then I'll just keep vacuuming every day or other day. This whole experience has definitely turned me into a clean freak. Not that I wasn't clean before, but I may have gotten a little extreme.


In other news life these days is pretty fantastic. I'm loving serving at Buca. I really am just a huge people person. I love meeting new people and hearing their stories. Even had an Italian table come in the other day and I got to use the little bit of Italian that I know. Va benne! I went and saw X-men First Class the other day. I thought it was so good! Absolutely loved it. Went to a Bees game Thursday night. So so so much fun. I really am starting to meet some amazing people here in the SLC. It is a lot of fun. Every day it feels more and more like home.

Right now I am on my way to Nashville, TN to work at ITF. I'll be gone for a week. The funny thing is that I am a traveler. I stay on the road. A lot. But for some reason, being gone from the SLC for a week seems like forever. I'm sure this week will fly by and in a week I'll have some silly post about how fun the trip was and I can't believe how fast it went by, ya da ya da ya da.

I suppose I should call it quits here. I doubt you made it to the end anyway. ; )

Love.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Thank God you blew it. Thank God I dodged the bullet.



There was a time
I thought, that you did everything right
No lies, no wrong
Boy I, must’ve been outta my mind
So when I think of the time that I almost loved you
You showed you ass and I saw the real you

Thank God you blew it
Thank God I dodged the bullet
I’m so over you
So baby good lookin’ out

I wanted you bad
I’m so through with it
Cuz honestly you turned out to be the best thing I never had
You turned out to be the best thing I never had
And I’m gon’ always be the best thing you never had
I bet it sucks to be you right now

So sad, you’re hurt
Boo hoo, oh, did you expect me to care?
You don’t deserve my tears
I guess that’s why they ain’t there
When I think that there was a time that I almost loved you
You showed you ass and I saw the real you

Thank God you blew it
Thank God I dodged the bullet
I’m so over you
So baby good lookin’ out

I wanted you bad
I’m so through with it
Cuz honestly you turned out to be the best thing I never had
I said, you turned out to be the best thing I never had
And I’ll never be the best thing you never had
Oh baby I bet sucks to be you right now

I know you want me back
It’s time to face the facts
That I’m the one that’s got away
Lord knows that it would take another place, another time, another world, another life
Thank God I found the good in goodbye

I used to want you so bad
I’m so through it that
Cuz honestly you turned out to be the best thing I never had
You turned out to be the best thing I never had
And I will always be the, best thing you never had.
Best thing you never had!

I used to want you so bad
I’m so through it that
Cause honestly you turned out to be the best thing I never had
Oh you turned out to be the best thing I never had
Oh I will never be the best thing you never had
Oh baby, I bet it sucks to be you right now

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

WOWZA!

I'm starting to feel like myself again.  All I needed was a little sunshine! = )

I really am blessed with some FANTASTIC friends. The funny thing is, I've made a ton of girl friends in the past few months.  Which is weird, cause I usually hate hanging out with girls.  So many amazing things to look forward to. Already have camping plans for the Fourth of July weekend and at least one trip to Vegas late July.

Today I went hiking at Big Cottonwood Canyon with my friend Aubrey and her two boys.  We had so much fun!   Aubrey is one amazing beautiful woman.

I have this new obsession with getting on top of rocks. haha

So last night I was walking home from the music building and saw a "now hiring servers" sign in the window of one of the restaurants near my house. Of course, I went in and asked for an application.  The server introduced me to the manager and I basically got hired on the spot. Neat! haha So now I'll have two restaurant jobs. I dig it. Well maybe . . . .

I also applied for a job working the front desk at the main lodge at Snowbird last night.  Today I got an email asking me to call and schedule an appointment. So I called and I have an appointment tomorrow at 2:30!  Cross your fingers for me! I would LOVE to work there, and the job would be a good one to snag. = )  I'll just use my southern belle charm on them. Oh course, they'll have to love me. ; )

I'm actually super excited about the interview! Ahhhhhhh!

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Yup, that's basically it.

Sunnyside up.


I do enjoy Kelly Clarkson.  Two of the girls on The Voice performed her "Since You Been Gone" on the last battle round tonight on NBC. I love that show. I also love Kelly Clarkson. She's one of my faves. 

I played a lot of trombone today. It was great. One week til I'm back in California. Let's hope it is sunny this time.  I also got another job today. At Indochine. I swear it was the easiest thing ever. I walked in cause I saw a "now hiring" sign just to ask for an application, but after the manager talked to me she hired me on the spot. haha That was easy!

Life is looking up, I must say.  The sun came out today. I got to play trombone outside. Nothing I love more. = )

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Love is the greatest refreshment in life. - Pablo Picasso

Life is about 3am walks with friends who can't sleep.  Meeting new soul sisters.  Listening to music that makes you want to cry even more and then making a new play list that makes you want to dance.  Working hard and playing harder.  Putting your heart and soul into everything you do. And I do mean everything.  Growing even when the rain never seems to stop.  Trying new experiences.  Pouring your heart out even if it means rejection.  Not giving up on hope.  Keeping an open mind.  Sharing what you have to offer.  Praising Jesus. Laughing at yourself even though you heart is breaking.  Perseverance.  Taking that run even though you're scared of failure and completely falling on your butt.  Getting back up even after you fall.  Never hiding who you are.  Keeping your word.  Being honest.  Flying hundreds and thousands of miles to see family.  Being there for friends.  Staying open.  Keeping the faith.  Crying at the end of a yoga session because that's what your body wants to do.  Following your heart.  Most importantly? Love.  

1 Corinthians 13:13 - Now these three things remain: faith, hope, and love.  But the greatest of these is love.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Making Banana Pancakes. . . .


Ok so I'm not like Jack.  I didn't make banana pancakes.  I made Blueberry Banana Oat Muffins.




These yummy creations are so easy to make and super clean and healthy.  They call for 3 cups oats, 1 cup coconut milk, 1 tbls baking powder, 2 eggs, 3 bananas, 2 cups blueberries, a little honey to sweeten, a little vanilla, and some cinnamon.  You just mix everything sans oats first and then once that is all good, you add in the oats.  Bake at 400 for 20-25 minutes.  The recipe makes 12 muffins (6 servings).  Yummy!!!

I went to this yoga class with my friend Brandy yesterday.  It is crazy how much you have to face your emotions in a yoga class. Every feeling in your body just surfaces.

I also got my nails done again yesterday! :)  Heidi Paxman = AMAZING.  If you live in the 801 you should really let her do your nails.





Check out her super cool website!

I went skiing today.  Yup. Skiing on May 27.  WHO DOES THAT?!?!! Haha  The more I go up to the mountain, the more I think I really just might stay here in SLC after I finish my masters.  It is truly incredible.  And where else can you drive 25 minutes and be on snow this time of year?  = )   My dear old sweet (note the sarcasm yet?) precious friend that took me up for that first ski lesson had no idea the monster he was creating.

Last night Heidi and I watched Madea Goes to Jail.  She had never seen any of the Tyler Perry movies, and I needed a good laugh.  Oh dear is that movie funny!  I love it. = )  If you need a good laugh you should watch it.  It is the only one on Netflix that is streaming.  Hallelujer!



Laughter is the best medicine. What team are you on, Curtis? Havin fun.

"Just do your best.  It's the only way to keep that last bit of sanity. Maybe I don't have to be good, but I can try to be at least a little better than I've been so far."   - The Avett Brothers