A Question

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So, now that Halloween is over, we all know that it is Christmas shopping time! I've been working on putting together some gift idea lists and shopping around (mostly the internetz). But there are some people on my gift list who are just super hard to shop for. Have you ever had someone like that? I feel like I'm easy to shop for -- I love lots of things! Anything Disney, orange, or Psych or clothes related, and you're doing pretty good. But I hate trying to guess for someone who is hard to shop for, and then getting something they will never use.

So here's my question -- what do you think of asking someone if they would like a gift? I think I have a great gift idea for someone, but I don't want to spend money on it and give it to them if they are just going to not use it or think it is a terrible idea. Is it lame to ask them and then ruin the surprise? Or is it better to know ahead of time so you can think of something else to get them?

My opinion? If someone is going to get something big for me (and since I'm poor, big means like more than $40), I would totally want them to check with me first if they were unsure. Of course I would prefer them to pick up on my not-so-subtle hints, but you can't always get what you want. It's so much less awkward than accepting a gift you don't really like and then having to return it and avoid the subject in the future. And for the surprise factor, I'm greedy -- they can get me something big that's not a surprise, and then a small thing that is a surprise :)

What do you think?

Ramblin'

I am feeling kind of disjointed and uninspired in my thoughts today, so please forgive me for the lack of cohesiveness in my writing today...

1. Now that it is 40 degrees outside, can it please be Christmas already?
2. I think I am sad I won't be taking a dance class again next semester. This one has been so much fun! I thought about taking Into to Jazz but it's only offered when I already have class
3. I finally finished my ORCA grant application yesterday. Next goal -- PharmCas! I am so close to finishing it, I just need to get it over with.
4. Instead of teaching a review session for the PDBIO 120 class I TA for, I made an online podcast sort of thing. I used this screen capture program and recorded my voice explaining some slides. I must admit, it was pretty hilarious, and if I had myself as a TA, I would be cracking up and totally making fun of me.
5. I am so excited for my gamelan concerts next week -- I can't believe that it is already here!
6. I think next year I should go as Chester the Cheetah (as in the Cheetoh guy) for Halloween. But I just don't know how Owen could dress as something similar...maybe Tony the Tiger?
7. This week has been pretty awesome. Wanna know why? No choral conducting homework. Yeah baby.
8. I would never be a Smurf for Halloween. I am so sick of those little blue guys showing up everywhere.
9. Wish I had TV so I could watch Psych tonight :(
10. I could go for some hot wings right now

this is how i feel right now. wish i had hobbes here to make things more exciting...

Mom Weekend

This weekend, we had an early Parents Weekend and my mom came down to visit! It was a super crazy and super awesome weekend full of lots of food, awkward photos, and apparently thumbs up...? Anyway, here are some pictures so you can feel like you were right there with us!

Thursday night we went to the Red Iguana for dinner. We were so full we didn't dare take any pictures because we could hardly move and would probably explode. The Tacos don Ramon were just as greasy and perfect as I remembered...mmmmmm...

Friday morning Mom came with us to our Greek and Roman class where our teacher was GONE (boo) and we had our super boring TA teach us instead. Snooooooze. Then I took Mom of a tour of all my cool places on campus.

First we went to the gamelan room and I showed off our sweet instruments

Then I took her to my research lab and showed off my cool tank that I built for my cute little fishies. Couldn't convince her (or myself) to go into the tarantula room...scary!!

For lunch on Friday, we went to JDAWGS!!! I can't get over how good they are, and this is coming from the #1 Hotdog Hater. We even bought a bottle of the famed Special Sauce, but then Mom realized she can't take more than 3 fl. oz on the plane...oops! We also went to the Awful Waffle and got some crepes and waffles for dessert. I got the "European Specaloos" spread on my crepe which supposedly can only be found in Europe, but I've got some news for you people -- they sell it at Winco but it's really called biscoff spread. And we bought some. 

First awkward thumbs-up of the trip.

Then we went on a hike! Tried to work off some of those calories....yeah....Anyway, we went on the Buffalo Peak trail, which apparently no one else has heard of. Not really a surprise because the trailhead wasn't marked and we only found it because Owen looked at a picture and saw that the trail started with a little crack between a fence. We drove up practically the whole mountain (which was really scary in our not-so-dependable car and there were lots of rocks) and then hiked up the rest to the top of the peak! Go Mom for conquering her fear of heights and getting to the top with us! It was awesome! And really quiet since there was no one else around, which was pretty cool.

Yay we made it! Lots of pretty fall leaves on the hike!

It was also sunset when we were hiking, which was pretty to see.

And Mom made us kiss in front of the sunset so she could try to get a cool picture. Let's just say I'm glad we never have to take engagement pictures again...

Then we went to Brick Oven for dinner after our hike. Had to go to this classic BYU establishment and get their homemade rootbeer...mmm...I obviously was very interested in how cheesy everything was.

Cheeeeeeeeeeeseeeeeeeeeeeee........

And behold, the Sasquatch. Yes, this is a secret menu item at Brick Oven and it is the bomb.com. Seriously so good. Remember how they have a recipe where they heat up two cookies and put ice cream on it? Well this has two oven-heated cookies with a BROWNIE IN THE MIDDLE. Yeah baby. And you have to ask it with a smirk and a wink.

We also made cinnamon pie this weekend. If you are awesome and have seen the Dual Spires episode of Psych, then you know what I am talking about. And let me tell you, Shawn and Gus were not exaggerating it's deliciousness.

Saturday morning we went to the BYU Lost and Found Sale. No pictures because you aren't allowed to bring any bags in, but let me tell you, we totally scored. More details to come on this awesomeness soon.

Lunch = Tucanos (and more thumbs up). I really have no idea how we survived all of the food this weekend. 

We had to exercise after, and also show off Owen's new bowtie that we got for 1.25 at the Lost and Found Sale. 

Saturday night we went to ComedySportz. Owen was the only one who had been there before, so we were all surprised by what a great time we had! Definitely better than Humor U, and we loved the one guy who could sing super well! 

Then things started getting a little crazy... 

"What am I doing holding this dye?!?!?"

Notice anything different? 

Thanks for a great weekend Mom and we can't wait to see you again! Though I may need all the way until Christmas time to make up for all the food we ate..........

October is So Far Away

I really don't know if I can wait that long.

Some 2010 Favorites

2010 was definitely a crazy year with plenty of ups and downs. But before we get too far into 2011, I want to take a moment and review some favorites from 2010...so here they are!

Favorite Addition to Closet: JEGGINGS!

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I didn't really understand what all the rage was about, and I admit that I thought it was a little bizarre that people thought they could get away with wearing leggings everyday and pretending that they were jeans...and then I tried on a pair of a.n.a. Butter Denim Leggings, and I fell in love. I never want to take them off. I have now become the owner of all three colors of these babies and wish that I could wear them every day. Maybe no one will notice...

Favorite TV Show Addiction: Psych

We literally cannot get enough of this show. We have now gone through Seasons 1-4 completely, and are trying to wait patiently until Season 5 is available....I'm not sure how much longer we will make it. And we also are totally stoked that BYU WON THE CAMPUS WARS! Whaaaat?

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Favorite Random Song Discovery: Everybody Needs a Robot

Favorite Read: The Lost Hero

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We already know that I am a huge fan of juvenile novels (sorry, they are just way more fun and interesting!) and the Percy Jackson books definitely are becoming a huge rival of Harry Potter. Combining my love of Greek & Roman mythology with super fun characters and story lines has led to my sort-of obsession with these books. Which explains why I was totally devastated when the series ended with The Last Olympian. Riordan wrote another book based on Egyptian mythology called The Red Pyramid, but it just didn't have the same feel and wasn't as interesting. But then for Christmas, Devynne received The Lost Hero, and my obsession has returned. This is a new series, but it has some of the same old characters and places, with three new awesome main characters. I love it. I was so sad when I got to the ending because I knew it was almost over, and that I would have to wait forever (until Fall 2011) until the next one comes out. But I enjoyed this one so much that it pretty much makes up for it. It was so good.

Favorite Silly Trend: SillyBandz

Yeah I bought Disney ones. No big deal. I just need to wear them more often because they are so dang cute. I always remember to wear the Belle one on tests though for good luck!

Favorite Technology Addition to the Home: iPad


Yeah, yeah, they are pretty cool. I think I have some sort of bizarre aversion to technology because I don't want to become too dependent or addicted to a device that will probably just break, but I have to admit. The iPad is cooler than I give it credit for. Hopefully in the next year, I will be able to appreciate it more and make better use of this pretty sweet gift from Owen's super awesome job. Thank you Qualtrics! I'm even considering buying the Psych iPad cover....

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Favorite Day: August 13, 2010

Well that one was easy. Our wedding day will easily be my favorite day for a very, very, very long time. Everything was perfect and I wish we could relive it over and over again. Owen still laughs at my random mentions of one day being a wedding planner, but who knows?

goodbye 2010!

day 8- short term goals for this month and why

Well honesty, right now my biggest short term goal is to JUST SURVIVE THIS NEXT WEEK!



But to make this post a little longer while I wait for Owen to come home from work, here are the rest of our goals for this month:

1. Not die during finals. Why? Because they are going to be super hard but we need to keep our scholarships. And get good grades for grad school. And maybe learn a few things here and there.

2. Not have our car break down again. Why? Because we've had it go crazy for the last month and we FINALLY got it back today after much money and despair so hopefully it was worth it.

3. Work a lot. Why? Because we need to make some of that money back! And we like our jobs for the most part :)

4. Watch a lot of Psych. Why? Because all we have been doing is studying lately and we need to get some quality Psych time in after finals.

5. Get a Christmas tree ASAP. Why? Because it smells delicious and my family will be here soon and I want them to have a real tree for the holidays.

6. Plan some awesome stuff for my family to do while they are here. Why? To distract them from how annoying snow is usually.

7. Clean the house, take a nap, and do Pilates. Why? To relax please.

8. Gear ourselves up for next year. Why? Because we're not quite done with school yet! Or for a long time!

Things I Love and Things I Don't

Things I Love:

New favorite thing to have Devynne buy me from the vending machine--and only 20 calories for the whole bottle! Much better than the cookies and cream milk....

Words cannot express our love for this show

New fashion blog I have spent my time adoring (don't worry, only when I'm at work). Love it because she does bargain tips AND she is a medical student! Perfect. 

Our love for Pixar has been renewed at the Animation Emphasis opening social. I am almost okay with the idea of Owen quitting his super awesome job at Qualtrics to pursue his dream. 

I was just thinking how I needed new brown shoes and these classics have become so hot lately--love them!

Snow here is making me miss my Washington home. Good thing Pixar Renderman is located in Seattle, maybe we'll end up back in the NW after all!

When my trusty Toshiba finally bites the dust, I think I'll give up the laptop thing and just go for one of these lovelies. I never use my computer except at home, and iMacs are so much more wonderful.

Things I Don't:

I do not care how comfortable or warm these things are, Uggs NEED to go. Even in the arctic Utah, there is no excuse.

Life would be so much more fun if I could just go to school and not have to take tests...

Don't take this wrong--I DO of course still love OPI, but what I don't love is my complete lack of selection. I tried to paint my nails on Sunday when I realized I only have like seven shades of pink. I really need to diversify, and pick up some more mature shades, like a neutral or a nice purple-grey color that is so cute right now. 

What do you think? Agree or disagree? Leave us a comment and let us know!