Dude, Where's My Costume?

I heart Halloween. That's pretty much all there is to it. The decorations, the costumes, the parties - good times, my friends, good times. This year, Halloween has been pretty darn great. Aside from a flakey friend or two - I'd venture to say it's been a success. My throwback to the 1920s (aka a flapper costume) has been well received. I am quite pleased with it.
Deep thoughts by Paula Peralta: I think that whether or not people dress up for Halloween says a lot about what kind of person they are. If someone really gets into it and is willing to go out a whoop it up with their peeps – they’re cool. If they mope around the house and decline multiple invitations to the myriad of Halloween functions that are almost certain to be occurring – they’re lame.
Your thoughts?

Victory!

Yippee! Angel's coming! I'm not sure when and I'm sure she doesn't know how - but she's comin'! Oh, I'm so excited - I can barely stand it! This has been a long time comin' and she's comin'! Hee-hee!
Better yet, she may be getting a job in my office! Oh, I hope, I hope! If she gets the job then she'll be here at the end of November. If not, then she'll be comin' down in January. Either way, she's comin'! Yahooey!

Where My Peeps At?

Man, I got really nostalgic today and totally missed all my cruise peeps - the little darlings. Seriously, I don't think I've ever known such a well-rounded and fantastic group of people. I could literally list something great about every person on that trip. Incredible. The Utah love is a-flowin' and I have had the chance to be a lucky recipient of all that lovin'. It's almost enough to make me pack up and leave the beach behind for snow-capped mountains and the Cruise Groupies. But, alas, my place is here in the land of palm trees and movie stars (although I've yet to see one - a movie star, that is).
My little sister is moving to SLC in a couple of weeks. I think it's a great place for her to move to. She hasn't lived away from home yet so it may be a good place for her to cut her teeth. We'll see. I worry about the viciousness of girls that don't realize what's really important and can't see the beauty of a person if it's not manifest in well-applied makeup or the right label on their clothes. I dunno. Maybe I'm being too stereotypical. I just worry! I'm entitled, aren't I? Bein' the big sister and all. I just hope it all works out for her. I hope that she'll meet a lot of people that recognize what a sweetheart she is.

New Callings

Everytime I receive a new calling, it always seems like it's just what I need in my life at that time. New callings always bring such a new motivation to be a little better and work a little harder. There's just something great about knowing that the Lord trusts you enough to let you serve within His kingdom. I am really looking forward to the learning experiences that always come with a new calling. I am grateful to know that the Lord is mindful of me and my abilities. It's a wonderful thing!

Angel - Part II

It's so good to have friends that understand you. No explanations...just understanding. Understanding and acceptance. Not the reluctant acceptance, but the kind that sees you for what you can become and loves you enough to wait for you to get there. That kind of acceptance. It's fantastic.
Angel came and we had a fantastic time! Our itinerary went straight to H-E-double hockey sticks the second she walked off the plane but it's all good. I'm sure there's some quote about spontaneity being good for the soul. Blah, blah, blah. We had a fantastic time. We shopped our socks off.
You know how you know that you love someone but you kind of forget until they're there and then gone again? That's how I feel about Angel. All I can say about her is that she's incredible. She's just NICE. That's the only way to describe it. She is the embodiment of all that is good and kind. I wish I could be more like the woman she is. Now, don't get me wrong, there are times I forget how awesome she is but the reality is that it always comes back to the fact that she just wants what's best for the people she loves. Ah, she has such an incredible capacity to love. She's awesome and I'm so grateful we're friends.
Now that she's gone, I miss her dearly. BUT, there's light at the end of the tunnel. She's thinkin' about moving here. Oh, I would be in HEAVEN! I'm trying to do everything possible on my end to get her down here but in steps that whole agency thing. Drat! If it were up to me, she'd have been here MONTHS ago. Alas, I have to wait on her final decision. We'll see. Oh, I hope, I hope!
Either way, I know we'll always be great friends. I'm glad to know such an awesome woman!

Halloween

I love Fall. I just love it. The smells, the clothes and all the awesome things you can't get any other time during the year. Giant pumpkins. Courduroy. It's such a great time. It's a shame that it flies by so fast because of all the holidays! OH! The holidays! They'll be here before we know it!
I got my costume last night and I am SO excited! It seems like I get a little more excited for Halloween with every year that passes. I didn't get the chance to decorate my office this year and I feel like I got totally gypped! I have a costume and will be the epitome of "All Dressed up and nowhere to go" this year. Oh, well. It was so fun to try on the costumes and decide on the perfect costume. I swear, I've got a 10 year backlog of costumes. I'm planned out through 2015! I'm sure I'll be able to find SOMEWHERE to go this year. I'll just have to peak around. It'd be a shame for the world to miss out on me in all my Halloween regalia.

Angel

My friend, Angel, is an angel. She's comin' to visit this weekend and I am so excited! She is so funny and I know we're gonna have a grand ol' time together. She's always crackin' me up with her inexhaustible wit. Seriously, it's never-ending. We were roommates back in Washington and we had a lot of good times. The thing about Angel is that she's usually down for whatever. That makes for some funny experiences! She is a wonderful friend and a fantastic woman. I'm grateful to be her friend. I'm excited for her to come visit. Let the good times roll!

Seis Meses?!

It makes me so sad that I haven't been able to blog as much lately. For a bit there, I was bloggin' almost daily! Ahh, those were the days. I guess this whole life business is taking it's toll. You know, I read another girl's blog today and she was talking about getting so caught up in the day-to-day things in life that you forget to take time to enjoy where you're at. I think I've done just that. I got sidetracked and let myself forget how lucky I am to have such a great life. I've been so caught up in budgeting and relationships and housing that I've forgotten how great California Livin' is. But not anymore! This is my wakeup call. So, back to bloggin'!

I went to the beach with some friends on Friday afternoon. And I was HOT! Can you imagine?! I could hardly believe I was sunbathing in October. Granted, the ocean was cold enough to put you into a deep freeze, but a towel on the sand with the sun a-shinin' while I took a nap wasn't half bad! It's things like that that remind me how much I love living in California.

I've been here exactly six months today. I can hardly believe it! I just called my dad. And my roommate. And my mother. I feel like celebrations are in order. It's been an interesting six months, to be sure. I've met a lot of incredible people and I'm sure there'll be plenty more in the next six months to come.

Okay, I've just decided that this is going to be the marathon blog. I have so much to write about.

Mostly, I just want to get out how much I love my li'l Chazlyn Robbins. She is such a doll and I was able to see her last weekend. There is a standing tradition that all the kids meet up at the Jensen/McCombs household on Conference weekend. Well, Chaz has been up in Montana with her hubby, Tim, and so I haven't seen her since the wedding. As luck would have it, she was able to make it down and so I flew to SLC and hung out with her for a couple of days. It was so great to see her. She is all that is wonderful and womanly. She is a fantastic person and I feel so blessed to call her my best friend. Blink, blink. I just love her. I can't even handle it.

Times Are A-Changin'

Okay, so the cruise was A-mazing and it's been back to reality for 3 weeks now. I'm STILL adjusting! A great time was had by most. I know I thoroughly enjoyed myself. There are too many pictures to put up here (560 last time I counted) so I'm gonna direct ya'll to the trip's Photo Album. Feel free to peruse all five hundred sixty of the li'l buggers. Like I said, good times.
So, the time back has been filled with overflowing inboxes, sinus infections and plans for the future. And I must say that I'm not too thrilled with the upcoming agenda. However, the light at the end of the tunnel is General Conference this weekend. If ever a person could use a healthy dose of the Spirit...it's me! I get tickle belly just thinkin' about it. Last weeks RS broadcast got me all geared up and ready to go! I'm grateful to be surrounded by such powerful leaders.
And here's to making life-changing decisions in the blink of an eye. It's almost never easy but it's almost always worth it!

Reality Bites

Where have the days gone?! Oh, yeah...I forgot...I was in the CARRIBBEAN for a week! It was so awesome! Good food, good fun, good friends! Life doesn't get any better than beautiful blue water and chocolates on your pillow everynight. Is anyone else having a hard time adjusting to the reality of time clocks and life's responsibilities? I mean, I was anxious to get back but now I'm beginning to question my sanity!

Make Me Lose My Breath

I can't even handle it. Jeni and I went to the Destiny's Child concert in Anaheim last night. They are so HOT! What divas! It was an incredible show. And I do love me some Destiny's Child. Hee-hee! I can't even handle how awesome they are live. Those girls can SING! Oh, man! You can't help but get down with your bootylicious self when listenin' to those lovely ladies. And, believe you me, I've done my fair share of scoffing at Pop Culture...but you can't help but love these ladies. They are VERY talented. And I saw their faces...now I'm a believer! Hee-hee! Fo' sho!

Can You Keep Up?

Aargh! So much to do and so little time to do it. This week is Cray-zay! FHE, Institute, Destiny's Child, Caribbean Vacation...mix in 20 loads of laundry, dusty suitcases and a stressful workweek...and you've got my life! Hee-hee. I am SO not complaining. I am so blessed to have so many fantastic things going on in my life. Yes, yes, YES! I am the luckiest girl in the world!

Zoom...Zoom...Zoom

Aw, how 'bout those cutie-patooties that performed in the Newport Beach Temple Jubilee! This weekend was the Newport Beach Temple Dedication. What a weekend! We spent most of Saturday at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim...the Jubilee and THEN we got to hear President Hinckley speak.

You're doing great. You're better than you think you are. We have confidence in you. May you have the strength and the will and the resolution to do what is right at all times.

It was fantastic. President Faust accompanied him and spoke to the congregation as well. Needless to say, it was fantastic. The Church is true and the leaders of the Church are called of God.

The Celtic Dutchman

I am a sucker for the arts. I know that "the arts" can be a pretty vague term but let's just say that the second I hear an orchestra or see a painting...I am drawn to it. It's like it calls to me. Okay, enough of the cheeziness...I have a point.
Tonight I was flipping through the channels and landed upon KOCE (it's the Orange County branch of PBS) and they were broadcasting Andre Rieul: The Flying Dutchman. He never actually flew so I'm not sure why PBS felt the need to title the program that. Anyhoo, Andre Rieul is a famous violinist that tours with the Johann Strauss Orchestra. A-mazing! I heart PBS. And I heart Andre Rieul. The orchestra was incredible. They played some beautiful arrangements.
THEN, it only got better. One of my favorite programs, Celtic Woman, followed Andre and his fantastic orchestra (or Strauss' fantastic orchestra, rather). It may have something to do with my obsession with the Celtic culture but, either way, there is a special place in my heart for the step dancing and fantastic fiddles that accompany the music of the Celtic lands.
Finally, to the reason I am even blogging this in the first place. I'm not even sure what to say or, more importantly, how to say it. When I was watching both of these programs I thought, "Now, this is true beauty." Maybe that's a "duh" comment but I really felt that. There is something so powerful about music and the arts that encompasses and expresses beauty in a way that no other medium can. Languages are generally so limited and do not contain the words or nuances needed to express such a complex idea as beauty.
Okay, enough of the philosophizing. Bottom line, I'm just really grateful that the Lord has instilled in me a love for the arts. I'm grateful for mentors that have shown me how to appreciate a canvas or an instrument that can express emotion and life views in a way that nothing else can. It is truly a beautiful thing.

These Words

Read some Byron, Shelly and Keats
Recited it over a Hip-Hop beat
I’m having trouble saying what I mean
With dead poets and drum machines

I know I had some studio time booked
But I couldn’t find a killer hook
Now you’ve gone & raised the bar right up
Nothing I write is ever good enough

These words are my own
From my heart flow
I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you
There’s no other way
To better say
I love you, I love you…

I Am a Common Man

Everybody needs a good love story once in awhile. I got mine tonight. There is something about Noah and Allie's love that just takes my breath away. It sounds SO cheezy but it is SO true. It literally takes my breath away. Oh, wait...maybe that's just Ryan Gosling's skill. Hee-hee! Just kidding. The book is so well written and the movie is incredible. I remember the first time I saw "The Notebook" in theaters. I was with my best friend, Chazlyn, and we were bawlin' our eyes out at the end. A lady came back to ask us if we were okay 'cause we were cryin' so much! Ah, the memories.

I am nothing special; of this I am sure. I am a common man with common thoughts, and I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I've loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough.

I know it's fiction but there is something about seeing such powerful love that is so inspiring. I wonder. Noah and Allie were literally CRAZY about each other. Allie was all Noah thought about and vice-versa. How does that happen?! I can't even begin to understand it! But it doesn't make me love it any less. I want that same passion for life that they had for each other. And maybe someday I'll have that passion for another person. Heaven help us when that finally happens. Hee-hee!

Whirlwind Weekend

Man! The past four days seems like a blur! My mom came to visit and we had the time of our lives! It was so good to see her and play with her and love on her and laugh with her. Seriously, I had forgotten how hilarious my mom is. What a crack-up! Pictures to follow...but this was our itinerary.

Friday:
Flew in (boy, were her arms tired...hee-hee!)
Universal Studios
Pageant of the Masters

Saturday:
LA City Tour & Movie Stars Homes Tour
Downtown Disney
Dinner @ Cheesecake Factory

Sunday:
Church
Recovery Time

Monday:
Office Visit
Newport Beach Temple Open House
Key Chain Hunting in Laguna Beach
Lunch at Johnny Rockets
Flew Home : (

It went by so fast and we were SO exhausted but it was SO much fun! I am so glad she got to come visit. The California sun wasn't shinin' so brightly but we had a good time. The whole fam is comin' in December...that'll be four times the fun...can't wait!

Teaser

I'd like to revoke the previous blog stating that Kimberlini was moving in with us. She has received a better offer (although what could be better than living with me, I don't know) and will not be moving into our apartment. So, back to the scrambled confusion of square one. It's so good to be home.

Summer Lovin'

This is the 3rd time in just as many years that my summer has included a Jack Johnson concert. And lemme just say that it gets better every year. However, as much as I love the great state of California...UCSD's got NOTHIN' on The Gorge at George. Not a single thing. The concert was fantastic and I fell in love with Jack all over again (seemingly impossible, I know...nevertheless true). He is such a great musician and a fanstastic human being. He does so much good. Anyhoo. Enough about my crush on Jack...which, I might add, is harmless, respecting the fact that he has a beautiful wife and a cutey-patootie son named Moe. Hee-hee! So, Jeni and I met up with Holly, Dan and Co. for the concert. Great seats. Great pizza. Great weather. It was just plain ol' great!

To Say or Not to Say

Kim is going to move into our apartment! Clap, clap, clap! Yay! I love you, Kim...wherever you are! Kim's moving in so we can stay in our apartment through at least November. I don't think it's the best situation, per se, since it's just delaying the inevitable...but it'll be nice to push that stress back for a bit longer. Granted, the decisions have been made and the lease is more or less signed, sealed and delivered...but I've learned a thing or two during this little escapade.

This above all: to thine ownself be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
William Shakespeare, "Hamlet"

Since moving down here, I've really developed a more real sense of independence but I still allow my fear of people's reactions to my decisions color the decisions themselves. It's really too bad but I'm getting closer and closer to really becoming my own person and allowing myself to be in a position to be the best woman that I can be. I'm learning what environments I am happiest in and I am learning how to create those environments. At the risk of sounding VERY cheezy...it's very liberating to know that I am in absolute control of my own happiness. My happiness or lack thereof is my own fault. Either way. Pretty cool, huh?