Happy Shooting!

Ebay used to have a slogan for their commercials: "shop victoriously." I love that saying because it describes so well the feeling of the bidding and buying someone out on a item that is pretty competitive. A couple of weeks ago, after vigorous research, I did shop victoriously and got a Canon Powershot 710 IS. It's just a point-and-shoot with manual settings, but I figured this would be a good starter camera before I moved on to an SLR.

So here are some pictures I have taken around my in-laws yard. Hope you like them!

Happy Anniversary!

Yesterday Brandt and I had our anniversary, and we have been married for two years now. We celebrated by going to a really nice Italian restaurant and saw the new Harry Potter movie.

It has been a crazy two years, and somehow time manages to go by so slow and so so fast at the same time. I feel as if I have known Brandt forever (three years), however I look to see where has all the time gone. I would have never imagined two years ago that I would be living here in Michigan, but I also couldn't imagine graduating from college. Then again, what college student does?

I'm reminded of the analogy President Hinckley gave about life as riding a train. We go through thrills and excitement and the dulls, but, in the end, we should grateful for the ride. This concept is something I'm learning and relearning all the time. That I need to enjoy more of the process of my life instead of the results. While Brandt and I had to do some not-so-glamorous things during our relationship and marriage, such as being apart for six months, practically living at a restaurant to earn money for school, going to school and working so much that we could only see each other for 15 minutes a day, and being jobless, Brandt and I have had many good times. For example, all the adventures we went on such as going to Disney Land, Jackson Hole, the countless trips to both of our parents' house, and going up to West Yellowstone many times. Also we had our mini adventures together such as getting snowcones next to Taco Bell, the numerous walks around Rexburg, and dates going to the cheap theater on center street. I miss those times and wish I could have savored them more.

Thanks, Brandt for letting me be with you on this train ride, I look forward to what's instore for us.

Because I have had some free time, I made a video montage and some fun Photoshop stuff on our wedding pictures.

Stupid People, Married People

Yesterday Brandt and I were off on our adventure to a local community college. Yes, that’s right, we both have a bachelor’s degree and yet Brandt has to go back to school. Brandt is studying to become an actuary, so he is going to take a calculus class as a refresher.

On the drive there, I saw the most irresponsible and stupid thing on the face of the earth. A woman with her stroller J-walked on a highway. Not just any high way, an extremely busy, very fast highway. The speed limit is 55 mph, but people drive at least five miles over. Did I mention that this highway has four lanes of traffic, and it’s busy?

Whenever I think I know the human race’s aptitude for idiocy, someone finds away to increase that aptitude. There must be a law somewhere saying people can’t do dumb things that put the child in danger. But hey, who am I to judge? Perhaps that child was misbehaving and needed a little scare in order for him/her to settle down.

Besides moronic people, I have been thinking of how there aren’t any books/movies (at least good ones) about married couples. It’s seems that we see stories of a couple falling in love or falling apart.

My theory is once you become married, you become terribly boring to other people. Most of my married life consisted of Friday nights going to the grocery store and sitting on the couch vegging from a long, hard week. Now that we are jobless, our adventures consist of finding pop bottles for spare change, teaching swimming lessons, and getting into water fights from washing my father-in-law’s car for $10. It’s exciting for us, but the rest of the world thinks it’s a yawn. What are your thoughts?

That’s all I cared about this Friday. Tune in for next post on existentialism (yeah, right).

The Reality and Truth about TV

“I can’t see you really having a long career with writing because you have a love-hate relationship with it,” Brandt said.

I wanted to punch him in the face for that comment, but unfortunately he was kind of right on that one. Now that I’m out of school, I don’t have professor telling me, “here’s a subject, go write.” Also my living conditions aren’t exactly inspiring me to come up with topics. However, I have been thinking of this for a while so here I go.

Humans essentially want two things: truth and to connect with another being(s). Think about it. Truly successful movies and books have revealed some sort of truth, which leads to a human connection. Almost all good comedians, if not all of them, get their material not because they’re extremely witty, but they tell jokes/stories with truth in them. Jeff Foxworthy is a perfect example.

Same thing with sit-coms, for example, my in-laws (particularly my father-in-law and Brandt) love Everybody Loves Raymond. Apparently Marie Barrone is just like Grandma Malone and Robyne, Frank Barrone is an older and balder David, and Brandt and I are like Ray and Debra. I may be stretching this, but I think that TV show gives my in-laws some sense of connection because it makes them feel like their family isn’t as crazy as the Barrones.

While people crave truth and have relatable people to watch on TV, people have created reality TV shows, which isn’t reality at all. No matter how hard producers try, it just can’t be done. Even with Jon and Kate Plus 8, what was originally capturing how a large family functions, has now turned into a ratings-driven controversy. I originally loved the show because it reminded me of growing up in a house with multiple siblings. Then the show started to get out of hand. What kind of family goes on vacations to Disney World, Park City, South Carolina, the different outings, and Hawaii with in a year or two? Basically the show ended up being a huge product placement, and made average parents feel guilty that they can’t go on half as nice vacations for four people, let alone ten.

Anyways, it’s too bad that Jon and Kate Gosling sold out on their family for money. They may get a lot of ratings for their show, but no one really respects them. Then again, people want to see truth, and maybe people want to see how TV and money will screw up ten individuals.

Starting My Summer in the Mitten

So this past weekend Brandt and I went with his parents to their cottage in Northern Michigan. It’s beautiful up there, and I was really excited to go back to the place where Brandt and I spent our honeymoon. I also was excited to go because of two new passions/ hobbies: photography and all things nautical and beach inspired. I hoped to take some pictures of some lighthouses and sail boats.

We spent the weekend going to Petoskey, Charlevoix, and Harbor Springs (if you don’t know where that is, look at your hand. It’s around the tip of your ring finger.) On Saturday we had a picnic lunch in Petoskey at Little Traverse Bay, a small bay that goes into Lake Michigan. Just before we found a place to park, I saw it on the pier: a brick-red tugboat. It was love at first sight. For as far as I know, this was the first tugboat I have seen. I told Brandt that I had to take some pictures, and if it weren’t for a plague of May Flies, (it was pretty bad) I would have taken more pictures.

I also took some pictures of flowers and a waterfall where we ate our lunch. I wasn’t able to take a picture of a real lighthouse because there wasn’t one around. Instead, I took some pictures of a mini lighthouse in Charlevoix. This lighthouse is used for smaller ships coming in the harbor.

Well it was a good weekend, and I hope to see more of Northern Michigan.

Help Stop Wildlife Suicide

After a few weeks of driving on the roads of Michigan, I have noticed an unusually high amount of road kill. It’s not like Rexburg where cats make up 95 percent of all dead animals on the road. No, in Michigan I have seen possums, raccoons, deer, and even turtles. I wondered what could be an explanation to the excessive amount of road kill.

I finally figured it out tonight. The animals are suicidal because of the stupid people that live here.

My in-laws, Brandt, and I got to see Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian premiere. This was my first premiere, which made me feel pretty cool, and it was free. It was a wonderful family flick, and I would definitely see again at a dollar theater if Michigan had one.

However, the theater was packed, and we were fortunate enough to sit on the front row. The reason is because everyone who saw the movie got in for free—the exact same deal we got. A careful reader would have noticed on the admission ticket that it’s a first-come-first-serve basis, and the movie theater isn’t responsible for overbooking. Prior entering the theater, an usher asked us to wait outside to see if there were any available seats. A large family was behind us, and they sounded disgusted at the possibility of inadequate seating. The woman, who wore clothes that would be small on my 90-pound sister said, “Ugh, then what’s the point of sending these?” as she held up the exact same lime green tickets we had.

But even that isn’t the cause for wild life committing suicide, illiteracy, although ridiculous is inevitable fact of life for some. Once we were seated, the family came looking around for seats. The same woman went to sit down, but apparently the seat was saved. I kid you not, the woman yelled at the top of her lungs, “Ma’am, she’s saving seats!” Do note she was yelling at the usher outside the theater. I was amazed how this woman, even though she came to the theater 15 minutes before a big summer movie, thought she was entitled to have all of her six children and husband figure all sit together. My eyes are rolling just thinking about the situation.

So that was my exciting night. I’m glad I solved the mystery of animals committing suicide on the road.

'Tis the Season To Be Green

Ah, spring time. I love the changing of the seasons, especially when change means warmer weather and more daylight. I also love seeing flowers blossoming and the brown grass turning green. But this time of year the fauna isn’t the only thing turning green. I mean politically speaking. As the weather gets warmer, I’ve seen green advertisements from Old Navy and Wal-Mart and watch the media report global warming news stories.

This irks me because I HATE trendy green people—this just shows how stupid people are, and people only care about the earth when the TV tells them too. Please, don’t get me wrong. I’m all about conserving our natural resources and helping our planet become cleaner. However, it’s getting ridiculous with how the media conveniently talk about global warming as the earth gets warmer.

If the earth is facing some serious pollution issues, we should be concerned about environmental issues all year, not just in the summer. Does any one complain if the weather is ten degrees warmer than usual in January? No! People are thankful for it, and I have yet to encounter a global warming feature in the winter. However, if it’s ten degrees warmer in July, better watch out because global warming is at work.

In my opinion we need to be more environmentally concerned in the winter because that’s when the pollution is at it’s worst with using our energy sources to heat up houses. Not to mention the winter months aren’t so pretty.

Well I’m finished complaining about how I think the world is ridiculous—at least for now, though I will say I’m having a premeditated addiction to Lush products, which is a very green company. They make organic soaps and cleansers for hair and skin. I’m going to a Lush store in Vegas this week, and I can’t wait.

Post College Student Syndrome

Since the winter semester started I couldn’t wait to get out of school. Most of my classes were just to fulfill a requirement and were a waste of my time and energy. When the semester ended, I was so numb, almost withdrawn with what was actually happening to me—I wasn’t going to be a student anymore. For 16 years I have been a student, and, for the first time ever, I don’t know exactly how my life will pan out. However, reality did not set in for me last week.

I have been a college graduate for almost a week now, and suddenly I have been slammed with emotions. First, I will have to say sadness. I loved being a student, and I will miss going to class and getting into lively discussions. I will also miss the little, almost stupid, things around Rexburg and BYU–Idaho such as the smell of doughnuts in the MC and the walks my husband, Brandt, and I took to the cheap theater. I will miss walking on campus in the biting wind but still find fellow colleges smile and say hello to me.

Another emotion I have been hit with is confusion. I haven’t really looked for a job yet, and I feel that I can’t until Brandt has found a job. I feel that I am marketable, but Brandt and I agreed that he was going to be the main provider, which is fine with me. I just feel that I’m a slacker here. I’m also confused because I’m LDS it’s culturally accepted now for us to have a family, but it’s not going to happen. First off, we can’t financially afford it, and we don’t have insurance right now. Also I feel that it isn’t time for me to be a mom yet. Perhaps all of this confusion is because I’m going through somewhat of an identity crisis: I’m not a student anymore, I can’t be a provider and I’m not at mom yet, so who am I?

The last emotion I’m going through right now is the most powerful: fear. A fear of everything. I’m afraid of putting myself out there to find and job because what if I'm not good enough? I’m afraid of moving across the country, leaving my family and friends behind, to move in with in-laws in an area I’m deathly afraid to drive around. What is the scariest thing for me is writing. I have thought about what to write for my blog for a long time and couldn’t come up with a good idea. I had severe writer’s block and couldn’t write something that didn’t sound overly cliché. I’m afraid my writing won’t have anything of value, and I will have nothing to contribute or even worse, I wouldn’t have anything I want to write about.

To end on a cheerful note, I’m trying to overcome these emotions. Yes, I’m sad, but I’m also happy to leave the single college student scene. Yes, I don’t know who exactly who I am, but perhaps I will be again a student, jobholder and hopefully soon a mother. Yes, I’m scared silly about leaving the things I know and explore my mental and emotional boundaries. However, it’s going to be OK. I can’t really say how it’s going to be all right, but all I have the hope that it will be.