So, as most of you know I took Winter semester off because I was a crazy stressed out person and we also needed the extra money working full-time would provide us. I deferred Winter and planned to go back Spring term, which I thought started on Monday May 4th. HA.

Thinking we had between April 23rd and May 4th to go on our real honeymoon I planned our cruise for the 25th through the 2nd. Totally made sense to me. I even checked the BYU website and was really responsible. I guess that doesn't account for my lack of reading ability. Apparently Spring term starts THIS Tuesday, the 28th. What in the? Not even a week between finals and the beginning of the next classes. Lame.

Since it is pretty much impossible to cancel our flights and cruise, I decided I'm just going to go back to school Fall semester. Which is so like me, putting things (Calculus) off for as long as possible. But this means I can have the whole summer to work a lot and PARTY! I'm so relieved. I've been starting to have biweekly nightmares about that Spring Calculus class I was signed up for. Who wants to take a block Calculus class when the weather's great? Not me.

So here's what my spring/summer is going to consist of:

-CRUISE!
-going shooting every weekend
-going shopping with Hayley (she doesn't know this yet)
-going to Steph's reception in Idaho Falls
-hopefully going to Lava Hot Springs again with the Mena clan
-Lagoon (I'll have to talk Monte into this)
-working 40 hours/week and getting benefits!
-saving money for (stupid) tuition
-missing Debbie, Ali, Steph, Dani, and Missy
-hanging out with MEG
-camping at LEAST once a month

That's all I can think of for now, but you can see how amazing it is, I'm sure. Let me know if you have anymore ideas.

don't forget earplugs

So, Monte thinks we’re made of money or something. That’s the only excuse I can think of. And here’s why. He bought two guns. Not one, but TWO. That’s right.

Mind you, these aren’t little pistols. These are rifles. And he bought me my “own” gun, too. I did not ask for this. I think he just wanted to get me something easy to use so I’d be entertained when he wanted to go shooting (which he now wants to do almost every week).

Now, don’t get me wrong. I think going shooting is great fun. I really like doing it. I’m the worst shot ever, just so you know. I’m even worse now that we put a scope on my gun. I don’t think it’s sighted in correctly. That’s the excuse I’m using, at least.

Here are some sample pictures that Google helped me find since I’m too lazy to upload pictures to my computer.

Exhibit A: My .22 (the black one at the top; I sometimes fantasize about having the pink one...)

I think it’s like a semi-automatic, or something like that, because you just load the clip with like 15 bullets and then you just shoot, shoot, shoot until they’re all gone. I think this is a good feature since I’m too impatient to reload after every shot. It’s really quite awesome. I like it a lot.

Exhibit B: Monte’s Soviet rifle

So, I guess the USSR, after WWII, had about a zillion of these laying around in warehouses, never having been used. They were a bit paranoid. Monte really likes the history around this gun, I think. The ammo’s kind of expensive, though, so he only shoots it like 4 times every time we go shooting. It has QUITE the kick to it. I have only shot it once and it almost took my arm out of it’s socket. That might be a slight exaggeration.

After the guns and ammo have been purchased and used multiple times, I really don’t have many complaints. It’s a fun activity that Monte and I like to do together and it gets us out into the middle of nowhere. My only complaints are 1) the bad weather and 2) the fact that we live so far away from areas where shooting is allowed. The weather issue will take care of itself in a few weeks, but we are getting so frustrated about finding places to go! If any of you have any suggestions (besides on the west side of the Lake, Provo rifle range, and Hobble Creek canyon), then please let us know. We heard there’s an okay place to go up by the entrance to American Fork canyon, but don’t know where it is. Maybe someone out there can enlighten us hick-folk. Ha.

HONEYMOON!

Monte and I are going on our honeymoon in April, finally. School always gets in the way of having fun. But we are going to have tons of fun April 25 - May 2. You bet your boots.

We're going on a cruise!!!

Itinerary

Departure Port	Date	Arrival Time	Departure Time
Los Angeles, California	04-25-2009		04:00 PM
AT SEA	04-26-2009
AT SEA	04-27-2009
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico	04-28-2009	10:00 AM	08:00 PM
Mazatlan, Mexico	04-29-2009	07:00 AM	05:00 PM
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico	04-30-2009	07:00 AM	02:00 PM
AT SEA	05-01-2009
Los Angeles, California	05-02-2009	07:00 AM

Doesn't that look like fun? We were planning on going to the Caribbean, but this one was cheaper, longer, and had a shorter/cheaper flight. We're super excited. Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure/envy.

PUERTO VALLARTA:
MAZATLAN:CABO san LUCAS

Watch out!

My sister Tye is doing this, and I took the challenge. Hopefully some of my faithful readers will be brave enough to comment!

The first five people to respond to this post will get something handmade by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2- What I create will be just for you.
3- It'll be done this year.
4- You have no clue what it's going to be. But I promise that I will take time to think of something that seems right for me to send you! :)
5- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did will win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!

Me & Monte

How long did you date?
3 months, engaged for another 3 months.

Who eats more?
MONTE!

Who is taller?
Monte. He's got me by at least 3 inches.

Who is smarter?
We are both S-M-R-T in our own ways.

Whose temper is worse?
Usually mine. But man. He gets really quiet when he's mad and that can feel pretty harsh.

Who does the laundry?
Mostly me. I'm quicker.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed?
If you're looking at it from the bottom, Monte sleeps on the right.

Who pays the bills?
So far, I do. But Monte helps me remember.

Who cooks dinner?
Most times me. But Monte is really cute. He makes me dinner a lot. And sandwiches for lunch.

Who drives when you are together?
Definitely Monte. He doesn't like it when I drive. It scares him.

Who kissed who first?
Monte kissed me first. It was great. We were up Provo canyon looking at the stars and cuddling. He just went for it.

Who is the first to admit when they are wrong?
I'm always right, so Monte.

Whose parents do you see the most?
Mine. They live about 7 minutes away. Monte's live about 4 hours away.

Who proposed?
Monte. Twice.

Who is more sensitive?
Me. I blame the birth control. Stupid hormones.

Who has more friends?
I have more close friends, Monte has more...friend friends. That he plays soccer with and stuff.

Who has more siblings?
Monte. He has 5, I have 4.

Who wears the pants in the family?
We usually both wear pants. Monte loves to wear shorts, though.

Do you have a song?
No. We've discussed this oddity before and decided we don't care.

melt in my mouth

I love all of the treats during the holiday season! Usually I'm baking up a storm during these months, but I was a bit busy this year. You know. With the wedding and stuff. Yeah.

So I finally got around to looking at some of the awesome recipes Becca emailed me a few weeks ago. Now all I want to do is bake! I love trying new cookie recipes. Perhaps I'll have time to try this tasty looking yumminesses before school starts.

Peppermint Snow Balls

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
• 10 starlight mints, crushed (heaping 1/4 cup)
• Red food coloring
• Confectioners' sugar for rolling

Directions

1.Heat oven to 400°F. In large bowl, with mixer on high, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in vanilla and salt. Reduce mixer speed to low, and beat in flour (dough will be very dry). Beat in oats, mints, and 12 drops of red food coloring. Shape heaping teaspoons of dough into balls, place on ungreased baking sheets 1/2 inch apart, and bake 15 to 18 minutes per batch.

2. Place confectioners' sugar in large bowl. Roll hot cookies in confectioners' sugar, let cool completely, and repeat.


Oh, and don't fret. I'll post a zillion wedding pictures later. When I have internet at my apartment. I'm gonna talk the neighbors into letting me use their wireless! Perhaps with a small fee... but at least I wouldn't have to get someone to come install it. All those fees! Pooey.

Also, sorry I got so busy I didn't post something everyday for the wedding countdown. There just wasn't time. Fun while it lasted.

All I want FOUR Christmas is you!

4 days to go

This is a picture of a four-legged duck. Scares me a little bit. I also don't like how the man (of course it's a man) in the background is holding it's neck. Be nice!
Here's a less in-yo-face picture. I love Connect Four. You never know what's going to happen. There are so many possibilities! And I always miss something important and lose. But it's still fun. Monte and I have played before and had a blast.

on the fifth day before my wedding I give you this image

I don't know if I agree with all of these, but I do agree that I'd rather do a lot of things before going to grad school. I'm just not motivated enough. Or smart enough. Perhaps I'll just work on my undergrad and then have some kids? Ha haha.

Six days and counting...

The hitchin' will take place THIS Saturday. Does that blow your mind? Kind of blows mine. This engagement went so fast, but so slow. It's been great, but I'll be honest and say that I'm definitely excited to move onto this next part of my life.

I'm also SO excited about all of the fun people who are coming to town this week! Tye comes in on Monday night, Shay will be here on Thursday, and tons of aunts and cousins will be over at my parents house on Thursday night for a family bridal shower. I'm pretty much bursting with joy!

So, for this last week I'm going to count down the days til the wedding by doing a google image search for the number of days left. For example, tonight I'll type "six" into the search box and see what it comes up with. Here goes:

This one's pretty typical, just a Roman numeral six.

I couldn't resist posting this one, however.
Apparently this is someone named Mr. Six? Whatev. It's better than all of the pictures of six-packs that showed up... awkward.

Don't you love the holidays?

So. Yesterday was Thanksgiving. I woke up at 6:30 a.m. to go to Kmart (why are they open on Thanksgiving? Do they hate their employees? Greedy retail stores...) to get Debbie's birthday present (you can bet it's the best thing you've ever seen), some oversize fleece blankets (I need blankets when I become independent/married!), and picture frames for the reception. Luckily my mother was awake putting the turkey in the oven and she happily agreed to accompany me, otherwise I'd be scared out of my mind by those crazy Kmart-goers...am I one of those now? Also, good thing she came because she bought be a really cool ring! I can't describe it--you'll just have to see it. Or I could post a picture of it later.

Besides early morning shopping Thanksgiving was pretty great. Until Monte had to work from 6 p.m. to midnight! Stupid. But at least he got paid time and a half. That's excellent news. I went in and filed...for an hour. I would have stayed longer but Regan and I decided we needed to watch August Rush, which I had never seen. Also, she's moving back to Oklahoma in like a week and I won't see her for a long, long time. And...I got some music from her. Which took about 2 hours to transfer over because her burner wasn't working and we only had a 512MB flash drive. Funny.

Anyways. This morning Monte was such a champ and he got up with me at 6:30 to go hit the Office Depot doorbuster sale. In which I bought an 8GB flash drive so none of those music fiascoes, like the one complained about above, will ever happen again! Yay!

Now I'm at work. That's right. I had to work at 8 a.m. on the day after Thanksgiving. And no one has called or come into the office. Seems like a waste of time for me and a waste of money for Chrysalis. Whatev. I'm just writing this blog and making copies. Oh, AND listening to Christmas music since it's no longer before Thanksgiving. Bring on the Christmas cheer.

BEST NEWS OF THE DAY/WEEK/MONTH:
I have an apartment! After weeks and weeks of searching, filling out applications, going to see disgusting apartments, Maecy's old landlord called her back and we get to have her old apartment! The one next to the Cannon's house! And it's pretty cheap, which is marvelous. Also, it has two bedrooms. And is right next to a bus stop. I'm so grateful! All those hours of searching and praying paid off, I'm telling you. The gospel is true.

Sorry I've been away for like a month. Planning a wedding really is the most time consuming thing I've ever experienced. Only 5 more weeks to go! And only 4 til I get my endowments. ;)

So, just finished writing this stats term paper for Stat 332 and I think I'll probably get a C on it. That's pretty good for an engaged person, right? Here's a graph I included in it.Doesn't that just look fantastic? No, it doesn't. Whatev. We were doing an experiment with launching rubber balls from wooden catapults. Yeah, pretty awesome. I love stats because of all the random experiments we get to do. I hope I can afford to go to school next semester so I can take that 6 credit stats class... should be a lot of work, but hopefully fun, too!

I won't bore you with talk of wedding stuff, so I pretty much don't have anything left to say. Welp.

We'll get through it somehow...

Last night I was reading in 2 Nephi 19 (in the Book of Mormon) where Jacob is quoting Isaiah 9 and I was struck by this verse:

16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.

This verse seems so applicable to the time we're living in right now, especially with the upcoming election. I've heard so many foolish things come out of both of the main candidates' mouths (mostly Obama...). It's a scary time.

On the bright side, at least we have an amazing leader of the LDS church, President Thomas S. Monson! If only all of the leaders in our lives could be appointed by God...

it's sparkly

Here it is, folks.Also, here's the dress:
They'll take up the hem and take the waist out a bit so it actually fits me. Yay.

Here's the hairdo that I will probably be sporting on my wedding day:

I'm engaged!!!

Here's the ring!

I don't have it yet, but I'm really excited for when I do! I'm wearing this crazy huge one that makes me feel weird in the mean time:

So here's the real one:P.S. Becca has graciously offered to take engagement pictures for us! I'm so excited! She'll do great! And she's doing it for free for practice--she's starting to create a portfolio!

P.P.S. In case you were wondering, my fiance's name is Monte Mena.

Debbie's thingy...

This is how the game works: Use Google image search to answer each question. Then choose your favorite or most random image.

My Age:
Place I've Traveled:
Place I Want to Travel:

Favorite Place:

Favorite Object:

Favorite Food:

Favorite Animal:

Favorite Color:

Place I was Born:

Place I Live Now:

Pet:

Past Love:

Best Friend's Nickname:

Screen Name:

First Name:

Middle Name:

Last Name:

Bad Habit:

First Job:

Grandmother's Name:

College Degree:

What I'm Doing Right Now:

Honorable mention for best picture that wouldn't fit in a category:

Too lazy and tired to finish right now. I'll do it tomorrow...hopefully.

I can't decide if it's disturbing or cute.

Here's a cat with 4 ears.
If you click on the picture you can read the whole story. I'm glad he has a good home!

Surprise your attacker with a good taze!

If you want to see/read something that I find quite amusing, please go here.

You've probably already all seen this, but I still think it's all humorously true.

you know you live in Utah if:

-your local Dairy Queen is closed from September to May.
-someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there.
-you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time.
-you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed the wrong number.
-'vacation' means going anywhere south of Salt Lake City for the weekend.
-you measure distance in hours.
-you know several people who have hit a deer more than once.
-you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' and back again in the same day.
-you install security lights on your house and garage but leave both unlocked.
-you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching.
-you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.
-the speed limit on the highway is 75 mph -- you're going 80, and everyone is still passing you.
-driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow.
-you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter and road construction.
-you find 10 degrees 'a little chilly'.
-you actually understand these jokes and forward them to all your friends.

What's in a name?

If you know me at all, you know that I have headaches quite frequently, probably due to my back problems. By frequently I mean at least every 2 months. They generally last for about 3 days. Going to the chiropractor helps a little bit, but I mostly just have to wait it out. It bites the big one.

My most recent headache adventure began on Monday morning when I woke up with a pounding headache. Not the most pleasant way to start your day. I often wonder why this happens--you'd think that sleep would prevent a headache. What a conundrum.
Needless to say, I take a lot of Advil. A lot. I think my body is too used to it, in fact, to let it have any affect on me. I take it anyway, though, hoping it will help me somehow. I wasn't helping at all yesterday, however, so I took work off and decided to try a different pain reliever. I even talked to the pharmacist at Wal-Mart. I told him my situation with the Advil and he said "the next step up is Aleve." I was a bit surprised because I thought they were pretty much the same thing, but I followed his advice and bought some Aleve.
I'm still not sure if Aleve if my drug of choice because I don't know if I felt better because of it or because I went to the chiropractor. However, I am quite sure that the makes of Aleve chose the better sounding name for their pill. Think about it: Aleve sounds like relieve. Advil sounds like...? ANVIL! Who in the world would name their pain relieving medication after something that is know for smashing people in cartoons? Bad move, namers.

I will definitely keep giving Aleve a chance, even if it's only because the name sounds better than Advil.

Maybe he's no Romeo but he's my lovin' one man show

Here's a picture of me with Monte. Sorry it's really blurry. This is when we were at Seaport Village in San Diego. He's a winner. It's weird that hardly any of you have met him. In fact, I believe Hayley's the only one who has. Odd. That will have to change. I'm sure you'll see a lot of him when most of us will live together in the Fall. Yay. Another cause for yaying: he cut his hair!!

On another note, Idaho was fantastic! I don't have any pictures from the trip because I didn't bring my camera, but Debbie, Hayley, and Melissa will have many many. You just wait. Here's a list of some awesome things we did:
- boating on the Palisades Reservoir (beautiful!)
- drive-in movie ("Handcock" (yes, that's how people in Driggs spell it) was really dumb)
- bonfire
- chair lift ride at Targhee resort (wonderful view of the Tetons...and Mary's Nipple)
- rodeo in Jackson Hole! (Mutton Busting is one of my new favorite things to watch)
Besides all of the great activities and company we enjoyed, Dani's father made us the best food! Breakfasts of champions and an unbelievable Mexican dinner!