Day 16 -- Mason Jars

Yeah yeah yeah. I get in the habit of blogging a bunch, and then stop. Please don't think that I am quitting out on you now, but I have two very good reasons why I have not been blogging lately:

1. It came. Yes. The new computer. But I am not permitted to go into any detail here because my mother is convinced that someone will find my blog, stalk me, and then steal my computer. And I like my computer a lot. So I do not want it stolen.

2. I have been working again. Uggh, I know, right? Swim lessons are back on, and they are actually kind of fun this session, so it's not too bad. I have also been doing a heck of a lot of research lately, since I found out that my IACUC application was due on the 10th, and I thought it wasn't due until the 20th, but we managed to get it in on time and I complete all 5 hours of safety training (snooze fest galore) and I will be able to start my research as soon as we get our fish back from Panama. Yay!

I know this shot isn't exactly the most artistically dynamic or correct, but I felt like it looked quite summery so I wanted to include it! So, these mason jars are the result of my random Pinterest perusing and the ridiculous amount of odds and ends in my craft box and my love of hot glue guns and buttons. If you were wondering why there are clear strings glued on the top, it is because they were originally intended to be hung from the tree in our backyard. I wanted to take a picture of them from the tree of course, but I waited until wayyy too late at night, so this was all I got. I apologize, but you get the idea.

Day 15 - Someone You Love

Okay, I know, I know. I accidentally mixed up days 14 and 15 and then I totally skipped blogging this weekend. But it was a busy weekend, I promise. A weekend full of outdoor concerts (free!), frozen yogurt, temple trips, farmers markets, picture taking, target runs, Captain America, church, sleeping, and getting a heat rash. Very exciting and busy, as you can see. PLUS we just realized that our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY IS ON SATURDAY! Holy bananas! How did that come so quickly???

In any case, on to the photo of the day!

Yeah, I bet you knew THAT one was coming. Yay for our one year anniversary coming up--it seriously feels like we were married yesterday, and every day is made so much better with this guy by my side. No, not the one in the tie-dye shirt, it's that hot blond guy in the grey striped v-neck.

Here are some other photos from our adventures at our first of the Rooftop Concert Series. It was a very fun venue, and I loved that it was free! The atmosphere was quite enjoyable, and we couldn't have asked for better weather that evening. If only the music performers weren't so depressing! They had some downer lyrics in pretty much every single one of their songs, but I guys that's what the kids like these days?

the crowd before the show. by the end of the night, this rooftop was packed!

this little group who was part of the pre-show was actually our favorite performance! they are called the mollies and had some fun, quirky tunes.

miss sayde price. man, she was sure a downer. and sadly you cannot see the other side of her head, which is completely shaved off. i wonder what the growing-back process will be like for that?

and the main performer of the night, mr. joshua james. he was also pretty depressing, and swore in some of his songs/while addressing the crowd! we couldn't believe it! call me prude, but if you are going to perform in front of a group who is mostly LDS and many who have brought their kids, clean up your mouth son. 

he had a thing about raising his arms up funny whenever the photographer was going to take a picture of him. it was hilarious. 

All in all, it was a fun experience, but I think I might listen to the music of the next performing group ahead of time so I know what I am getting myself into!

Day 14- Action Shot

So for today's action shot, I asked da boyz (Owen + Tim) if they could do some tricks off the diving board for me last night before my aqua aerobics class. I hope that you are admiring the ridiculously hilarious wetsuits that Tim brought for them to wear to my class. I was telling one of my students that I am pretty sure that Owen just comes to the class to make everyone laugh and distract me while I'm trying to teach.

Anyway, here's what they came up with. Owen was pretty funny while attempting to do a flip since he totally belly flopped twice in a row after over-rotating. Poor guy. Looked good for the shots though!

Also, speaking of diving, we took the plunge and bought me a new computer. After four years and a few power cord debacles, it's really happening. We haven't gotten it yet, so I'm going to keep it's identity a surprise for a little while longer, but all I can say is that we are pretty darn excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day 13 - Reminds You of Childhood

I miss playing the piano.

If we weren't poor and didn't have to pay for tuition or get me a new computer or pay for grad school applications, I would buy a piano. Also, if we didn't have to move like practically every year. Pianos are heavy. But I never thought I would miss playing as much as I do.

I have so many memories of playing the piano. I admit that not all of them are the best, like the times my mom would somehow secretly know that I didn't really practice each song three times or when I struggled learning a piece or when I just didn't feel like practicing. But I am so grateful that I stuck with it, and mostly that my mother made me stick with it. I love being able to sit down and play a piece and create beautiful music. Sadly, my skills are getting a little rusty since I haven't practiced much lately, but I am hoping to take a piano class in the winter and get right back in to shape!

Day 12 - Sun Flare

The past two days have been exciting. Let me count the reasons why...

1. Yesterday when I tried to unplug my computer's power cord from the wall, the middle of the cord where it's connected to the little box thing emitted a huge spark that almost started a fire on our shag rug. I stayed far away from it for the rest of the day, and when Owen came home, he concluded that the wires had indeed broken and that I would need another (my fourth) new power cord. I think it's time for a new computer....

2. Due to the excitement of my power cord nearly burning our house down, I jumped backwards onto my bed, right onto my glasses. Which totally bent them out of shape. Cool.

3. We have sold three of our textbooks online through Amazon and made over $200! Sooo much better than the bookstore, plus I get to visit the post office more now, how fun!

4. Being in the market for a new computer and all, I decided to check out the ones at the BYU bookstore while I was there looking for fall books. I was looking at the side of the MacBook Air, trying to figure out how many USB ports it has, when I sort of nudged something plugged in to it, which immediately set off the alarm system. The very LOUD alarm system. I tried to make it very clear that I was not trying to steal the computer, it was just an accident, and man, they sure took their time turning it off! It was so embarrassing. But very exciting, I guess. Just not in the good way. Anyway, I waited until they turned it off, apologized profusely, and then left very quickly. Thought about buying some fudge downstairs to console myself but I just really wanted to get out of the bookstore.


I think I should read a book and then take a nap...that sounds desirably un-exciting :)

Day 11 - Silhouette

So I didn't really have anything visual exciting enough in my house to take a silhouette picture of, and I sure didn't feel like waiting until sunset time to see if maybe, just maybe, it won't be thunderstorm-y tonight and I could get a sweet silhouette shot, so whatever--you guys get a picture of me instead! I was really nervous about this kind of shot because well, I've never taken one intentionally before, but it was kind of fun! Especially the part where I got to set the 10-second timer and then hop over my bed to be in front of the blinds because it is the only part of my house where lots of natural morning light comes in.

Looking at this picture makes me think that my hair might just be getting to the point where I can say that it is long--YAY! Too bad that I am just going to have to get it cut after I'm done teaching swim lessons because the ends of my hair are looking b.a.d.

Also, looking back at yesterday's post & our trip to the zoo for some reason just makes me want to go on Jungle Cruise. I guess that is more my kind of animals...

Look forward to another fun & awesome non-photography-challenge related post coming to you very very soon!

Day 10 - Animal

It is clear why Owen and I are married, since clearly neither of us can manage to make a straight face in a picture.

Since the only animals in the immediate vicinity of my house are birds (fly away too quickly) and our neighbor's super annoying dog (too ugly), I told Owen that we needed to go to the zoo for this next photo challenge. Plus, the zoo was on my summer to-do list anyway, and I've been wanting to go up to Salt Lake for a while now. Before going to the zoo, we made a trip to the SLC temple, which was incredible! I definitely recommend going there if you ever get a chance--it was a great experience. And don't forget about the awesome free parking under the conference center!

The above photos are from our trip to the zoo. They were having a "Zoo-rassic Park" theme, which accounts for the dinosaur, in case you were wondering. We probably spend a good two-thirds of our trip at the giraffes & elephants, but it's only because the tigers were sleeping, they don't have lions, bears, or penguins, and the monkeys kind of smell funky. I'm not quite sure if zoos are for me, but it was still loads of fun to get to experience it all with Owen.

Sorry about the totally noisy picture of the gorilla, but I had to include it because watching that super awesome gorilla inspired me to agree to Owen's please to watch King Kong. Terrible mistake. That movie is so scary! Plus the main girl is totally dumb, there is no moral to it, and I hate centipedes. But at least now I will be prepared for the new ride at Universal Studios I suppose.

In other news, we sold our very first book via Amazon today! It was so exciting and I am totally glad to get some money back from those expensive things. I shipped it off today and then got my first book for fall semester, Pathophysiology. Man, that is a hefty and very large book.

I also may or may not (okay, of course I did) have watched the Bachelorette: The Men Tell All episode this morning. I cannot believe that Ames is going to be on the Bachelor Pad! Ames buddy, you are way too classy for that! What is he thinking? There is no way he is going to find a woman of high enough caliber for him on that drama-filled show. Now, I like my drama, but I think that show may be too much even for me! Of course Blake is going to be on it, he is the perfect candidate. Yuck and yuck.

Anyway, totally excited for the season finale tonight! I just hope that whoever she picks (JP please) proposes to her and she can be happy!

Day 9 - Fruit

I was so glad that we were going to get our bountiful basket the day before I had to shoot fruit because we always get a tonnnn of produce in them! This week we even got an eggplant, which should be interesting...I am thinking that maybe this week will be the time when I shall attempt to make ratatouille--mostly because I love that movie and because we got a summer squash and zucchini from Owen's family yesterday. I'm thinking I will use this recipe, and pray that it is pretty enough to take pictures of. And pretty enough that it will convince Owen that we should buy that movie. 

So we got about a million plums between last time and this week, so I tried my hand at arranging some fruit.

Clearly it was not that successful, so I switched over to shots of single fruits instead.

Pretty sweet, eh? Thank you to my laundry machine + a piece of paper for serving as my makeshift "light box" for today's work, plus a little bit of help from our dear friend photoshop.

Hope you have a lovely and marvelous Sunday and I can't wait to show you tomorrow's shots! 

Day 8- Sunset

sorry for the tardy post, busy day today

reminds me of the lion king. 

Day 7 - High Angle

So for today's photo challenge, I decided to leave my house (a very big step) and venture out to BYU campus, where there are lots of high and low things. 

Turns out the actually close off most of the awesome places that would be great for taking sweet high angle shots (i.e. on top of the SWKT) but that didn't stop me from trying anyway.

I used to stare at this alllllll the time while trying to grasp my physics assignments

And since the SWKT is the tallest building on campus, I decided to go to the very top of it (they locked the doors to the roof sadly). This is what thirteen floors of stairs looks like from the top. Looooong way down...

Of course, I took the elevator.

Happy Friday! I got a sweet one-on-two gamelan session today with some guy from Korea which was pretty fun. Now that the PCAT is over, I'm maybe sort of looking forward to school starting again? Can't decide. 

day 5- breakfast today

Now this is not my normal everyday breakfast, but since today is test day, I needed the breakfast of champions to get me going! On the menu for today is: strawberry Greek yogurt, 1 toasted whole wheat English muffin, 1 fried egg, 1 slice of Canadian bacon, and 1 slice of pepperjack cheese. Mmmm. Hopefully this will provide the fuel I need to take my test this afternoon! I am so nervous and couldn't sleep last night. Who needs sleep, right? The only good news is that after today, I will be done. Thankkkk goodness!

day 4- Clouds

 I was so worried about getting good shots for today's assignment because for the past week, we've had nothing but heat and clear skies. BUT, all the stars aligned yesterday and I was blessed to have clouds all day long! So I took some shots in the morning, afternoon, and evening--yay!

morning: sun coming up over the mountains

afternoon: picturesque summer clouds

evening: perfect clouds leading to a delicious summer evening thunderstorm

very transcendental

Now enough chitchat--gotta get back to my LAST DAY of studying before the PCAT--yikes! Pray for me tomorrow please!!!

Day 3- Hands

I definitely think that Owen should go into hand modeling. Lovely.

And today's picture is brought to you by....

Me, Owen, and Sammy's :)

Hitting up Sammy's has been one of the goals on my summer To-Do list, so we decided to venture there on Saturday night. I was a little worried, but it was much less busy than I was expecting (probably thanks to Pioneer Day) which was good. They still took forever with our food, and brought out each item we ordered individually, which was annoying. But in any case, it gave me plenty of time to take pictures of our food!

First we got our milkshake. Dessert first I guess. I was expecting a LOT because apparently their fame is due in great part to their ultimate PIE SHAKES. So we got a raspberry cheesecake shake, and here it is:

Yes, it looks like a regular milkshake, and well, sadly tasted like one too. I was really expecting to be blown away by its deliciousness (especially at its absurd price), but no such luck. It was a little too runny (maybe from the heat) and you could hardly tell there was an actual slice of pie in there. I was looking for big chunks of pie crust, and even some cheesecake chunks would have been nice too. But nothing.

After inhaling our milkshake in 0.2 seconds, we waited around for another 15 minutes for our food. Seriously, I have no idea how this place would pass a health inspection. The floor was totally grimy and gross, it was a million degrees in there with no ventilation, and we had the pleasurable company of some buzzing flies since the only seat left was next to the trash cans.

Finally the rest of our food came...

First up, the sweet potato fries. These were my personal favorite part of the meal, but apparently Owen isn't a huge fan of them. They could have been a little thicker, but overall pretty good. And their fry sauce was actually decent and not too mayonnaise-y, which was a nice surprise.

Owen ordered "The Promo" burger, which was pretty much you basic bacon cheeseburger. It was good, nothing outstanding, and was served very hot! Overall, a decent burger with fresh ingredients...still overpriced in my mind.

And then I ordered the El Paso. Like a dummy. Because I totally didn't realize that this was a CHICKEN burger--lame! It was quite disappointed when it came out, but what can you do. I don't think it was entirely my fault, because their menu is very confusing due to the fact that they have regular and chicken burgers all mixed up together on there. Who would have known? Anyway, it was okay. Basically all I could taste was the avocado, which is a good flavor but I really would have liked to been able to notice the pepperjack cheese. Owen and I have been pepperjack cheese fanatics lately.

Overall, I don't think we'll be going there again. At least we can feel like true BYU students now I guess, but I'd rather save money and get a Jumble Berry Pie Shake at the the Malt Shoppe and make my own turkey burger at home.