Weekend pictures...

The day started early with my two hour drive to Flagstaff. I was in charge of doing the bridesmaids' hair!! So exciting and a little nerve-racking. But once I did the first persons hair is was WAY easy and really fun. Kali was one of the most laid back brides I've ever seen. Enjoy the pics...

It takes quite an entourage to get a bride ready... everyone did such a great job.

Amy was a wedding planner extraordinaire!! She did such a great job planning out the whole day... it was so laid back and easy-going


These pictures are always my favorite... they just make me smile - it's not all glamour :) This is was sisters/maid-of-honors are for

Kali's dress was made for her, just so you know. It was based off one she saw in a bridal shop... but they altered it a little... it was so incredibly beautiful!!!




The bridesmaids... I did all their hair - kind of proud


The groomsmen


Mr. and Mrs. Lynch


Emy made her public debut at the wedding... she did so well - she slept for most of it.




and of course... the peanut

So I am heading out tomorrow for Flagstaff for Kali Kuyper's and Caleb Lynch's wedding... 10 years in the making (seriously they have been together since they were 12... it is such a sweet story!!). I have spent almost every Christmas Eve with the Lynch family - their like family to us. It is so fun to think about this wedding tomorrow.

I am heading up super early in the morning because I am doing all the bridesmaid's hair (all 7 of them). Luckily it is an easy hair style... sneek peak here:


So that is much of my weekend...

I also am definitely quitting my job. Talked to over with my boss of course and I will definitely be sticking around as a teaching assistant and substitute when needed. I will definitely be needing to find another part time job to make up the difference with my expenses, and will be definitely cutting back on said expenses - it'll be an adjustment, but good adjustments... more details on that probably next week.

Looking to staying in England over next summer as well as through the spring... I figure if I'm over there already, I may as well take as much advantage of it as I can. I still haven't decided on a spring program (I have a college I keep coming back to, but I really can't decide... I keep considering if I want to be in the city of the country... probably city - I'm a city girl... and as much as I love Jane Austen Novels, the country lifestyle would probably be super boring). The summer class I definitely want to take is in Westminster London England. It's walking distance from Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey and London's West End. The class, which if even better than school location, is "London's Musical Theater". Basically we will study musical theater history - vaudville, Roger's and Hammerstein, all the way to Wicked and Lord of the RIngs the musical - that's right LOTRs his a London musical. Also, part of the class is we'll get to g back stage at some musicals... SWEET!!!

Amy, I know you're drooling :)

ASU, here I come!!

So I actually enrolled in Classes at ASU!! I am official starting their Aug 26th. I have only Tuesday and Thursday classes from 10:30am - 6:30pm (straight!!) My class load is as follows, for those who are wondering:

History 300 - France and WWII - Required as a history major
Spanish 202 - ugh... this one is required and I am hyperventilating about failing this class
History 101 - Global History since 1500 - I needed a history outside US and Europe
Religious Studies 394 - Poetry and Poetics of the Psalms - this will count as a related fields credit
Dance 130 - Ballet I - excited to get somewhat of a work out


Here are some pictures that I have been hoarding in my camera for the last 3 weeks...

Oak Creek Canyon... this picture is SO pretty

Jeannette, Nicole, and I at Kali's bridal shower!

Dance Dance Revolution at Dave & Busters last night - turns out kind of hard and kind of lame.

I'm a white girl... so it is only expected that I apparently bite my lower lip when I dance.


there you have it... nothing too exciting on the picture front.

I did get to hang out with Shawn and Nicole tonight... and of course my beautiful niece. It was nice to spend time with them. I got to spend some quality one-on-one time with Miss Emy and made her smile a couple times... highlight of my week!!

Things that rock my world!!

inspired by my awesome cousin Kristen.

* list making and crossing things off
* dresses with pockets!!!
* movie nights
* rolling over in bed to a cool spot in the pillow
* The Office
* dressing up really fancy (hair, make up, nice dress and shoes)
* travel guides to foreign countries
* bike riding
* road trips with awesome music
* Instyle magazine
* sleeping in
* nesting in my apartment - cleaning and making it cozy for me
* Super Target
* my niece Emolyn
* movies with sword fights
* the thought of living in England next year
* Jim Halpert
* weddings and bridal showers
* new purse from Africa - thanks Kendra!
* Flight of the Conchords
* laughing so hard that no sound is coming out
* Disneyland - specifically the front of main street where you can see the row of shops and the castle in the distance... that's my favorite spot.
* dancing around my apartment while i'm getting ready in the morning
* Jane Austen novels and movies
* cucumbers
* emails
* Sex and the City - yay movie
* the feeling of accomplishment
* Google and wikipedia - I look up everything!!
* libraries
* looking up at the stars - when I can see them. In phoenix there aren't many stars to be seen.
* Flight of the conchords
* anything in damask pattern
* daydreaming
* Redeeming Love (novel by Francince Rivers)
* singing at the top of my lungs in my car



List of songs I am currently playing over and over again...
* "American Girl" - by Tom Petty
* "The Call" - by Regina Spektor (last song in Prince Caspian)
* "The Highwayman" - by Loreena McKennit (one of my favorite poems)
* "Indiana" - by John McLaughlin
* "Capitol City" - by Matt Wertz
* "Nothing Better to do" - by Leanne Rimes
* "Ain't No Other Man" - by Christina Aguilara (it sounds like something from the 1930's but at the same time so new... and it's fun)


by the way... this is the college that I may very well be attending in the Spring... it's right outside of London!

Told my boss about going to ASU this fall... went well, but I'm not hopeful about staying there... but I'd love to stay until the end of the year. I do have to start thinking about other job possibilities in case it doesn't work out for me to cut down my hours.

Here are some of my options for job:
1. Teaching assistant at ASMT - I probably could only do at most 4 classes a week.

2. Work on campus at ASU - I have no idea doing what and although it may cut down the price of tuiton, I don't know if it would be enough to take care of bills

3. Nanny - I have no idea how to go about this... maybe I'll check with an agency.

I need more ideas please... comment with your thoughts.

Other than that - camping was fun, finals week at school is hectic. The Instructors moved into a bigger office and for the first time in the two years I've worked there, I get my own desk and cubical. Super fun to not have to keep my stuff in one tiny drawer and worry about another person thinking I'm too messy.

I am also looking into study abroad programs in England - SUPER EXPENSIVE, but the cheaper countries, you need a foreign language requirements. I am trying to find the cheapest one the closest to London. But I'm looking upwards of $30,000. I'm searching within the $15,000. So keep that in your prayers as well... University of Kent is looking promising - $19,000 (including tuition).

That's all I got for now.

I'm going Camping!!!

I haven't been camping - and I'm talking tent camping - in SO MANY years. I think I was 12 or 13 last time I went. So this weekend I am so excited to be spending the weekend at Oak Creek - or is it IN Oak Creek? Anyway, our college aged group is going, and I really am looking forward to spending time in nature, with friends, God, and a book - Prince Caspian which I'll be starting tonight.

I watched The Office tonight. I had a bunch of people over for the momentous season finale... and my heart aches. So funny, so shocking, and so... sigh. Andy Bernard will burn for what he's done!!! He definitely got what he deserves.

bored...

I just called ASU and switched my major to History - I was declared a major in interdisciplinary studies if you remember, but that major is only offered online... I don't want to go to school online - 1. because I'm not disciplined enough to work like that and 2. because it entirely defeats the purpose of GOING BACK TO SCHOOL in my mind.

So tomorrow I will be called in set up an appointment with the History department to hopefully get everything all squared away so I can start classes.

I also need to do my FAFSA forms (although I doubt I'll get any money from the government). Hopefully all this will be squared away before Friday (I don't know why that's my deadline - it just is).

I have decided my major will be history, with the focus on European History - specifically WESTERN European History: England, France, Spain, Germany, etc. It sounded like fun and got my heart all excited when I read about it - so I'm going with that.

I have the day off tomorrow (except for a night class which starts at 6pm) so I am excited to get some cleaning and stuff done.

Just got a call from ASU and I need Measles immunizations - fun... I don't have a doctor - need one of those, huh - anyone know a good doctor?
But I have an appointment on Thursday morning 9:30am. YAY!! Maybe someone will help me finally - I am not happy with this ASU process already - hopefully once I'm in it'll get easier - but they are not very helpful to outsiders.

disneyland pics...

What a fun trip... full of memories and laughter and watching two little kids come alive amidst the magic of Disney.

I would definitely place this trip in one of the top trips to Disneyland ever!!
Teresa Bowen invited me to help her take her kids (Simon and Adelen) to Disneyland. I use to be their Nanny and so the kids no me really well. They were so fun and kept fighting over who got to sit next to me on the ride... it made me smile.

The four of us in front of the castle!

Teresa and I don't have a lot of pictures together because we were busy taking care of the kids... Simon took this of us.

Addy and Simon on Finding Nemo ride... cute pictures - lame ride.


Addy sleeping in Plutos bed... she asked if Pluto would be angry if she laid down in his bed... I said of course not.

Addy loved the parade. She would SCREAM at ever character as they floated by until they waved at her. She loved the Beast.

Addy and I waiting for Simon and Teresa outside Indiana Jones. The kids did great on all the rides. Addy would ask 5 times before every ride if there was a monster or a evil queen on the ride. Those upset her too much, but it didn't matter if it was dark or fast or whatever... her favorite rides were Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain. She hated Snow White.
Simon would have ridden Autopia the entire day if it was up to him. He also like Indiana Jones, but hated Space Mountain and Soarin' over California (he thought his shoes would fall off and be gone forever).



The kids did get a little out of hand and while waiting for the Princesses, they were sent to time out. Mind you there is a line of over 50 people around us.

The Princesses... Addy LOVED meeting them and talked CONSTANTLY about it afterwards


Simon and his Autopia drivers license.

Excited for the parks!

Adelen learned an important lesson about running in Disneyland and climbing on things... she got an owey.

Honorary bugs

Tower of Terror... that's right, we went on it twice. I felt like those parents that take their kids to rated R movies at 11pm... but the kids LOVED it and when we got off we went right back on.

Waiting for the Parade again.

Peter Pan!!

Wishin' well

The Big Guy. Addy got a cell phone with Lipstick in it as a souvenir and spent all night talking on it with Mickey tell him about how she met him and how she loved Disneyland... it got annoying after a while, but she was so cute.

I was in charge of the map, although I rarely looked at it. Teresa let me make all the decisions about what to do next - which was nice.

Newport Beach before heading home.



Delicious crab legs at the Crab Cooker!

It was such a fun trip. When we booked our hotel and tickets, our package through getawaytoday.com came with an 8x8 scrapbook. As a thank you to Teresa for letting me tag along, I am gonna scrapbook the trip for her. It'll be so much fun.

Home from Disneyland!!!

Pictures to come...

The trip was awesome... up there with one of the best Disneyland trips I've ever had!!! So much fun memories and times where I laughed with tears!!!

So excited about Sex and the City!!!

I am staying up a little late tonight (it's okay... I caught a nap this afternoon) to catch "Sex and the City" on Oprah!! I am so excited about the movie on May 30th.

I love the show and hopefully will love the movie just as much!!!

hot off the presses...

In honor of my forthcoming trip to the Happiest Place of Earth, here are the newest Annie Leibovitz portraits in honor of the year of a million dreams. Aren't they spectacular!!!!

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony as Jasmine and Aladdin

Jessica Biel as Pocahantas

Mikhail Baryshnikov and Giselle Bundchen as Peter Pan and Wendy

Julianne Moore and Michael Phelps as Ariel The Little Mermaid and other Merman.