An Evening Out Under the Sea

For my birthday, my friends Rachelle, Jon, and Ben took me to see the new Broadway musical, "The Little Mermaid" last Thursday. It was so good! There were still a few kinks they were working out before because this is its trial run before it hits New York, but I thought it was awesome! The sets were amazing: the water looked like shimmering water and they shifted from under the sea to the ship above the water and it all looked so realistic. The mermaids and sea creatures glided around the stage on skates so it looked smoother and the costumes in general were amazing! The kid who played Flounder was absolutely incredible; he was this little black kid who could belt like I've never heard a 10 year old! Ursula's costume was also so cool--everything was so cool!


We went out to the Cheesecake Factory before and I got herb grilled salmon with steamed broccoli and mashed potatoes--it was so good! We were running a bit late though so we had to literally run to the theater. We left the restaurant at 7:45 (the show started at 8) and sped our way to the DCPA (Denver Center of the Performing Arts--it includes a few different stages), almost lost out at the $8 cash or check parking garage where no one had cash, but luckily Jon had his check book (what kind of establishment accepts checks but not a debit card?!), and then ran down three or four flights of stairs to the opera house. Phew! On my way down the stairs though my shoe came untied so I had to run barefoot. It was quite the adventure to get there, but once we sat down and the music started, I knew it was so worth it! I bought a pretty new outfit for the occasion from Ann Taylor Loft the night before and so I felt especially dressed up and I also bought a Mermaid t-shirt which is also pretty awesome. The CD isn't out yet (I guess because it's not officially on Broadway yet), but I do plan on buying it when it's available.

It was a most excellent evening and a most excellent birthday present--yay!

Housesitting Compensation Update: Last night I called the people I housesat for and just asked if there was a miscommunication on their end or a misunderstanding on mine and they didn't plan on paying me more, but were very kind and asked how much more I'd like. While it's not the answer I wanted, I just asked for $50 to cover what I had to put into the car. (I factored out the gas I had to buy to go up to Vail). It was kind of an awkward conversation, but this woman is a very direct woman and so I felt I could be direct in turn. I hope she's not affronted by my audacious phone call, but I do feel slightly gratified.

everything's better in the morning

Regardless of what's bothering you, I think it all seems better in the morning after a good night's sleep. Yesterday was not such a hot day. I had to drive back to the house sitting house after work, which is an hour's drive in itself, and then you add to that the fact that the light at a major intersection went out resulting in stop and go traffic for a few miles while that intersection turned into a 4 way stop--ew. Then I had to wait at their house for 45 more minutes until Janice (the mom) got home so Dean (the dad) could take me home without having to bring the kids. This was hard enough because I just wanted so bad to go home. Then when Dean drove me home there was no mention of paying me; Janice said I would be paid in addition to the gas and groceries money (even with that I had to put $70-80 of my own for gas), but I just don't know. With nothing said, I don't know what to think. If I don't get paid I'll be livid; I totally would NOT have done this if I didn't think I'd be compensated. I missed out on Vail and everything all because I thought I'd be paid, so if not . . . There's nothing I can do about it now, but that was the cherry on top yesterday. I had a breakdown last night and was just so tired and so frustrated with that whole situation and I got out a good cry. I went to bed with a cold pack on my eyes and with a few tears leaking out, fell into a deep sleep for the night.

I woke up this morning with my eyes still a bit puffy, but I definitely felt better because in the first place, I didn't have to wake up at 6--I got to sleep until 6:30!! Half an hour made a big difference for me :) It was just what I needed, to wake up in my own bed and see my family before I left for the day. While I still don't know if I'll be paid or how much, I'm feeling way better than last night; exhaustion exacerbates everything. Tonight Mom and I are going to Ann Taylor Loft so I can find a new outfit for seeing "The Little Mermaid" tomorrow night (it's turned into a Broadway musical that is opening in Denver!!--Rachelle is taking me for my birthday) and then I plan on watching the "So You Think You Can Dance" finale (I'm rooting for Sabra and Neil--Lacey's trampy and Danny's arrogant) and just soaking in the amazing feeling of being home.

Everything looks better in the morning :)

just so tired

I am SO incredibly ready to be finished with this house sitting thing. It was fun for the first week but now I'm closing in on my second I'm so sick of it. It's so far away from home and work and I feel like I really have been out of town even though I've spent a little bit of time at home almost everyday. What really got me was that I couldn't go up to Vail with my family last weekend. We've all been so busy the past month and I really haven't just hung out with with my family much and Vail would have been the perfect opportunity. I drove up there on Sunday for the day, but it just wasn't the same. And then just when I was so excited that Sunday was my last night, the people's flight was delayed out of Glasgow and so they missed all their connecting flights back into Denver. One more night. I know it may not seem like that big of a deal, but I'm just so tired: so tired of the long drives everywhere, so tired of having to bring clothes back and forth, so tired of that stupid dog, so tired of not being home and not seeing my family. I leave in just over two weeks and this house sitting thing makes me feel cheated out of some of the precious time I have left. I think I'd be more okay with the whole thing had I not missed out on vacation and I really just need to get over it, but it's hard to not dwell on the unfairness of it all. Then again, life wasn't meant to be fair.

I'll be home for sure this evening. I drove their car to work again this morning (I'm growing to deeply resent that hour long drive because I'm so tired every morning) and I'll drive it back there when they'll take me home. I mean it's a nice house and they're so generous with everything, but it's not home with my family. Yeah, they do have air conditioning, but I'd rather spend my time in an oven house with my parents and brother and sisters than in a cool house by myself.

Sorry for the complaining; I'm just in that mode where I'm feeling almost panicky and stretched so far I can't do it anymore. I know I'm a freakish homebody and am totally fine with watching movies with my parents instead of going out with someone, so I don't know how many others experience that panicky "I NEED HOME!!" feeling. Today I feel like I'm constantly on the brink of tears just because I'm so tired and want so bad to just be home. I'm just so tired--of everything.

Profile Picture

So I've tried this profile picture thing a million times--let's hope this one works.

Nellie the Neurotic Licker

Starting about a week ago I've been house/dog sitting for one of Mom's good friends and so far it's been a success. The biggest downside is that the house is about 40 minutes away from mine and an hour away from work, however the fringe benefits by far outweigh the cons. I get to drive their new, cute little Honda Accord (complete with a 6 disc CD changer, AC, power everything, and a sunroof--all features a treat for me!), have anyone over I want, and they gave me $140 for gas and groceries plus they're paying me. This is a totally sweet set up! Their dog Nellie (we're not sure what kind of dog she is--they got her from some Mexican pound) is cute and sweet but completely neurotic and she's a licker. She'll lick your feet, legs, jeans, arms, whatever and it's about to drive me insane! She wouldn't be so obnoxious if she would just sit still. You can usually show her who's boss by doing this bizarre sound (a rough, growling kind of Baa! and not the sheep sound) which makes you feel stupid at first but once you realize it works, you use it all the time. The house is really nice and it's fun to come and just crash. Here are a couple of pictures of the "great room" (this is a huge area that includes the family room, dining room, and kitchen--it's really cool!)



In other happenings, this morning my contact broke at work, necessitating a drive back home to put in my spare lens, however this meant a drive with only one contact in. At the time it wasn't so bad (thank goodness--talk about tender mercies), but almost as soon as I got back to work, I started getting this huge migraine. I pressed on until about 2:45 and then I couldn't take it anymore. I explained my malady to my supervisor and promptly drove home. This was the kind of migraine where it's not just on your head, but it goes down your neck and the pain seeps into your eye on the side where it's all happening. I felt sick to my stomach and experienced waves of nausea when I thought I just might throw up--good thing I didn't eat much this morning. After I got home, Mom got me some Furocet and Excedrin combination because I had nothing with me at work and I hung out there for about an hour after which I began my drive back to the house sitting house, which took an hour because of traffic. Ew. I'm feeling much better now though. When I got back I took a shower and got into my pajamas which is always a good combination for comfort and I plan on an early bedtime. Migraine, you're going down!

Also today, I received a Good Mail early birthday package from blogger Anne! I've never met her or read her blog before today, but the note was so cute and just said that she saw my birthday was the day after hers and thought that merited a little bit of Good Mail. Thanks Anne!


It's such a cute card! Not much else going on in my life right now besides putting off repacking all my stuff and a family weekend up in Vail without me due to Neurotic Nellie. Blast.

Slacker

For basically the whole month of July I've been a slacker of a runner. I ran only a few times and haven't been running at all in two or three weeks. At first I didn't notice much of a difference, but now I do. This isn't good. One reason for this lapse (that I believe legitmate anyway), is the fact that during the time it works for me to go running (around 5:30 because I have to leave for work earlier than I used to) it's dark outside. The sun comes up later, but I don't like starting out when it's dark out (not winter dark, but there's no distinct sunlight). Running in the dark is disconcerting for me. I should probably figure out another plan so I can get back on track, but it's hard! (Especially when I've become accustomed to the extra 45 minutes of sleep). I'll try and recommit next week and figure out a new plan for my exercise. I did so well for a couple of months. Blast.

Too busy

So I realized I haven't blogged in almost 4 weeks, but in my defense, most of my blogging was done at my laid back, nothing-to-do job and the job I currently have keeps me busy all day. So I work 8 hours, come home and usually have to write 5 or 6 articles; throw in quality friend time a few times a week and you get no new post in 3 weeks. Anyway, here's a bullet list of what I've been up to all month (besides work):

• the midnight showing of Harry Potter 5--a most excellent movie
• an ice blocking outing (ice blocking: sliding down a hill on a block of ice a.k.a. sledding for summer) in which the ice block flies and gouges out a chunk of my chin. I had a chin crater and now a sweet scar
• transition from writing about beauty to writing about money. I now know all about financing a car, payday loan companies, and bridge loans.
• a disco themed birthday party complete with dancing and costumes
• dinner with some old friends from church I haven't seen in a couple of years
• THE 7TH HARRY POTTER BOOK!!!!!!!!! It was most amazing--I laughed, I cried, I read for 6 hours straight. The perfect end to the epic Harry Potter tale.
  
• The purchase of the 7th HP audio CDs. Now I can listen to it all I want!
• Boating at Chatfield Reservoir
  
• Jessie, Timm, and Bella driving through on their way to NC--I was a bit blue.
• Unbearably hot house--average temperature upstairs: 87 degrees. Ew.

So, as you can see I've been busy this July, but then again who isn't? The heat is by far the most disgusting part of the summer. This is what the butter looks like in our kitchen (it's just sitting there):
How sick is that?

Twenty to Eight--June's Over!

So I really can't believe it's already July! The other night at dinner we were finishing up and just sitting around chatting when someone asked what time it was. Dad announced it was twenty to eight and then Grandma just says "And that's why June went so fast!" We kind of got what she was saying, but we were all pretty confused at first! So we were joking around all night about how when it's five after nine it'll be December and anyway, June went fast and now it's July. I've been blogging as of a year ago yesterday and this past year did go by super fast. I can't believe I go back to school in less than 8 weeks and that I already have a whole year of school behind me.

Anyway, my June temp job ended my assignment a day early which wasn't really a big deal, but definitely a bummer to miss out on the extra $100 I would have earned. So I got Friday and Monday off which was a nice break where I could just hang out and relax and then I got another call for another job that started last Tuesday. I work with accounting and billing for this company that is kind of a central place for those before/after school, summer programs for kids. It's in the opposite direction of the last place and I like it better for a few reasons.
1) I don't have to work with customer service related things. I don't have to answer phones and if I'm in a bad mood I can be in a bad mood because really I just sit in my cubicle (that stays mine the whole time I'm here) and process checks, enrollment forms, etc.
2) I like what I do better because it's just a bit more interesting and it keeps me busy for most of the day.
3) The people are way more friendly. The last place they only talked to me if they absolutely had to and were extremely reserved; I didn't feel too comfortable there. Here they're still not the most gregarious (my standard being the environment and the relationships I had at the bank), but I feel more comfortable. Plus, it's a bigger company so I don't feel like I'm being scrutinized all the time.
4) This job is pretty much guaranteed to go through the time I leave. This is the kind of place where there are a lot of temps and one of them has even been here since November, so it looks like I can keep this job until I go back to school. That's nice for me!
5) I like the location way better because it's not in the middle of nowhere (granted, the mountains are gorgeous) and if I don't feel like packing a lunch I can hop across the street to Chik-Fil-A or Starbucks for breakfast so it's much more consumer friendly. The only close place in Genessee was the disgusting pizza joint filled with leering men. One visit was definitely more than enough for me.
6) I can listen to my iPod while I do my work so I need to get some good Harry Potter CDs on here to keep my ears happy for the next 8 weeks of full time accounting!

So hopefully I'll be able to save some good money the rest of the summer and I really want to hear from the Scholarship Office this week so I really know how much I need to have for next year.

Other tidbits:
Today is Emily's 17th birthday and she's having a party with friends tonight and her nice family birthday dinner on Sunday.

I met some highly highly attractive boys at this party with Jacquelyn's ward and the hottest one asked for my number--score!!

I have to write 25 articles by Tuesday and I'm kind of freaking out about that.

Well, it's quarter after three so it's officially July!

Night at the Red Rocks

In Denver, the Red Rocks Amphitheatre is one of the best venues for just about any large scale event. A few years ago, I went there to see President Bush speak on his 2004 campaign tour, and I know a few people who've had their high school graduations there. It holds about 10,000 people and it's surrounded by beautiful mountains and believe it or not, red rocks. :) It's really nice and especially during the summer, there are a bunch of concerts there. So on Wednesday night, Rachelle, her boyfriend Ben, our friends Jon and Blake, and I went to see Lifehouse and the Goo Goo Dolls in concert. Lifehouse is my favorite band of the two (but I still love the Goo Goo Dolls!) and when I found out they were coming to Denver I was totally stoked and even more thrilled to discover they were the opening band for my other favorite Goo Goo Dolls!! I got a group together and Wednesday was the night.

Parking there is always a pain, but then what do you expect with a venue that holds 10,000 people? We left early and picked up our will call tickets (they would have charged me an extra $2.50 to email me my ticket--that's just ridiculous) and then hiked up to the amphitheatre to get the best general seating seats we could. (We opted for general admission rather than reserved seating because 1) it was cheaper and 2) we didn't have to coordinate ticking purchasing). We had excellent seats and just hung out until the concert started. Rachelle and I bought Lifehouse t-shirts and Ben bought one too, but we're thinking either it fell out of his bag or someone stole it because he can't find it. Bummer.


The pre-opening act was this girl who sang more pop-country stuff and no one really listened. There was polite applause but nothing really exciting. Then Lifehouse came on and it was awesome! They performed a bunch of songs from their new album and not to mention the lead signer is highly attractive (they had a big screen on the side giving you a more up-close look). the Goo Goo Dolls then performed and the stadium was much more pumped for them (understandably--they've been around since the '80s so they're much more established). I love going to live concerts because there's so much energy and excitement. Plus seeing bands live is different from seeing them on TV or listening to the album (some artists are not so hot live, but these two groups were definitely awesome). The only bummer to the concert was the ever-present smell of cigarette smoke and pot--eew. There were many people (most underage) who were drinking a bunch and getting pretty tipsy, but this one girl who I can't figure out if she was drunk or just like this, but she was jamming out to every single song and dancing and having herself a ball. She was hilarious!! Good for her for getting her $35 worth though!

Well I'm here at home for the day because they cut my temp job short by a day which is a bummer because that's close to an extra $100 I'm missing out on, but whatever. I'll just work extra on my free lance articles today (I got my first free lance check yesterday which I used to buy a new iPod as my mini iPod of over 2 years kicked the bucket the other day. I need an iPod for running!!) It's kind of nice to just chill, but I hope another job will come really soon; I hate being unsure of my income.

Have a stellar Friday and I'll have a great day wearing my concert tee!

The Daily Grind and Grinding Headache

Well, I flew back to Denver yesterday morning (on a 7:10 a.m. flight!! Eek it was early!) and it was actually a really nice day. I anticipated it being kind of blah, mainly because I was bummed to leave, but I was really relaxed the whole day. Church wasn't bad and Mom, Grandma, and I left before Relief Society so we could go and get dinner ready. It had to be early yesterday because all the men had to go to a stake priesthood meeting at 6:00 and we don't usually sit down to eat until about 7:00 or so on Sundays. Anyway, dinner was great and then I napped a bit (that early flight left me really tired), scrapbooked, and tried to get to bed earlier than usual.

The rest of the weekend with Bella went really well. Saturday she was awesome and only freaked out once or twice for not very long. Timm came home early from the symposium, made us steaks for dinner, and then we hung out with Lou and Diana for the night. It was really relaxing and lots of fun!

Today however, has not been as great. I didn't want to begin the week anyway after a laidback weekend in Provo and work did not sound like any fun last night when I realized I had to return to real life. First, my run this morning was a bit longer than usual (55 minutes) and since I run according to a program I can't really shorten it without feeling the large weight of runner's guilt. So I had to wake up earlier than I normally do, my run today was pretty difficult (10 minutes running, 1 minute walking for 5 times), and ever since mid-morning I've had this whole-head-encompassing headache and my neck and shoulders really ache. I hope I'm not getting sick, but I just want to go home and crash for the night. Alas, I can't go straight home because Emily and I need to go to our friend's piano lesson and practice this "2 pianos, 8 hands piece." It's actually a pretty cool arrangement of "Battle Hymn of the Republic," but I just don't feel up to playing vigorously. I think I'll just have to hold out for when her lesson is over and I can go home and put on my pajamas.

Sorry for the complaining post--hopefully the rest of the week won't be as grinding as today.