Here's James!

In Relief Society we were given little "spotlight" sheets to fill out about our husbands. I thought this was pretty neat, that the elders were doing the same thing as the sisters and getting to know each other in this sort of interesting and unique way. I later learned from James that they don't actually do it, and me having the form was the first thing he'd ever heard of it. So, I thought it would be fun to go ahead and "spotlight" James for all of you, instead. So... enjoy!

Husband's name: James Patrick West

Where is your husband from? Born in New York, then moved to Texas, North Carolina, France, and back to North Carolina. So... not really from anywhere, I guess.

What is his major? Nerdliness... I mean Computer Science

What is the most romantic thing he's ever done? James is pretty good about surprising me every once in a while with flowers or making me breakfast while I'm sleeping in on a Saturday morning. He's a charmer.

What is your funniest memory about him? James makes me laugh pretty much every day, but one of my funniest memories is of him trying to ask me out a few weeks before he actually got up the guts to do it. We were with a group of friends, and he started telling me about this great idea he had for a date--making homemade chocolate candies. I said that sounded like a lot of fun, and then the conversation shifted and we were on to other things. In a few minutes, James left and another friend leaned over to me and said "I think James just asked you out." Well, apparently he hadn't gotten the enthusiasm he was hoping for, 'cause he chickened out and asked another girl.


When/Where did you get married? August 18th 2007, Provo UT Temple

What are his hobbies and talents? James loves programming, playing video games, reading up on how to build robots, learning new things in general (from Wikipedia!), making homemade candies and treats (best brownies ever), and of course the Wilton cake decorating is a big thing around here--though he has yet to make me a birthday cake.

What is his favorite food? He likes my curry and he loves meatloaf (weird, I know)--but he'll pretty much eat anything you put in front of him as long as it's not broccoli or a tomato.

Tell us a funny or an embarrassing story about him. James does not embarrass easily: he's just a pretty chill guy, so I guess I'll go with a funny story. We met because we worked together doing early morning custodial work at BYU. While working there, we used to pull a lot of pranks on each other and do some pretty odd things. One day, James and a group of our coworkers attacked me and my cleaning partner while we were cleaning the bathrooms (it was part of an ongoing war). They brought a giant roll of plastic wrap and were attempting to wrap us up in it. Well, we held our own and managed not to get wrapped up, and then in the midst of the attack one of his teammates turned on James and helped me wrap him up in plastic wrap. James, being the chill guy he is, pretty much let us do it, and by the end he was so tightly wound in plastic that he couldn't move and had to be cut out.

Fun Stuff

So, another week has gone by--things have happened, but I won't overwhelm everyone with all the details. Instead I'd just like to throw out some fun stuff I've stumbled upon recently.

#1 Gloria's Little Italy
My awesome sister in law recommended this restaurant to me and I've been dying to go. So when my best friend decided to abandon me and go home to Washington, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and dragged her out for some delicious Italian food. The restaurant is only a few blocks from our house and the walk there is just delightful, looking at all the sweet old houses around Provo. They have a "Mormon" tiramisu with no coffee, delicious pasta, and gelato I've heard is delightful--still gotta go back and try that.






#2 Mormon Chic
Today while looking for something completely different, I stumbled upon this website which, whether you're Mormon or not, is a delightfully useful and wonderfully girly site with tons of ideas for the modern woman. Check it out--it's super sweet. http://www.mormonchic.com/

Week-so-far in Review

The week's not over yet, but here it is already Thursday and I haven't really posted anything all week. I hope you enjoyed Monday's video—it's one of my favorite commercials ever. I just love the little bunnies hopping around with their colored feet. Anyway, even though the week's not over I thought I'd give you a review of what's been going on this week.

Monday – ok I'll just admit it. Monday, I got home from work and called a friend to go with me to the store so I could buy a pregnancy test. I AM NOT PREGNANT, but I thought I might be based on varied biological evidence that all turned out to be maliciously deceiving me. I don't think I've fully processed the experience yet, but it sure caused a range of emotions as I went through the entire experience. I was nervous and terrified, but also excited at the prospect. I mean, James and I want to have a baby in the near future, and even though "the near future" was still months away, it was sort of thrilling to think about. But terrifying. Definitely a rather sobering prospect—becoming a parent. I guess part of the disappointment of not getting the little plus sign on the test was that now I don't have a good explanation for the varied biological evidence that led me to the hypothesis that I may in fact be pregnant. Maybe it was just stress. I don't know but it was definitely an experience that has changed the way I look at things in general. Odd, and maybe I should explain it, but maybe you all get it already. I'm gonna go with you guys getting it already.

Tuesday – was a long day at work. We're doing workshops, so I'm in early to set up and out late because of clean up. So it usually ends up being a ten-hour day for three to four days of the week. This week it's only three days. But it's fun and a change from the norm, plus I get fed breakfast and lunch, so it's actually really nice. The only downside is that I'm so tired by the time I get home. We were supposed to have Allison over for dinner, but I didn't get home until so late and she had already eaten. So instead we went out for shakes at Burger Supreme. It was really fun though—I just love spending time with my sister in law. She's really funny and agreeable and fun to be around. We told lots of riddles and silly stories (James ruined all mine though). Then we went home, played a little Guitar Hero (of course) and then Allison was kind enough to play cards with me. James doesn't like to play games with me, so when Allison comes over she satisfies my craving for a good game. Plus she's a blast to play with. And even though we have yet to finish a game of Spit we always laugh enough for several games' worth.

Wednesday – there is really nothing to say about Wednesday. I got home, took a bath, then got in bed. I'm looking forward to not being so dang tired.

Also this week, I can't remember the day, Mom sent me a package with some beautiful things from Egypt. I love knowing that Mom and Dad still think of us when they're off on exciting journeys around the world. And soon we'll be on our own exciting journey around the world! We'll take lots of pictures for everyone, but I can't promise any souvenirs—we'll be thinking of you though! J

Well, until something else exciting happens, it's ta ta for now.

A Little Treat for Monday

Lucky Me

I have the sweetest husband in the world. (I know you all think you do, but sorry, you're wrong. I do.) So, this morning James had a final at 7:00 so he kissed me good bye and I was happily back in sleepland within seconds. Apparently he came home around 8:30 and saw I was still asleep so he left again. I woke up the second time he came back, but he didn't come in to check on me just started making a lot of noise (trying not to make much noise) in the kitchen. I finally woke up around 9:30 and came out to find flowers on the kitchen table (which was set), bacon frying on the stove, and biscuits ready to go in the oven. I was so charmed. He even had everything ready to make omelets, and we cut up strawberries and James showed me a fun new way to eat them (dip them in sour cream and brown sugar--try it, it's good!). It was just the perfect way to start a Saturday. I really really really really really really love my husband.
After our lovely breakfast he took me to the temple, then we went up the canyon with some friends to hike up inside snow caves at the top of bridal veil falls. (Super cool, by the way, even if my paranoid mind went overboard imagining avalanches etc. etc.) It was a lovely day finished off with (what else?) Guitar Hero on the projector that Brad and Shelly brought over--thanks guys! :)
And again, the cool breeze is wafting in the window of my--still clean!--back room and I'm just thrilled to be alive. And all because I had the wisdom, foresight, and talent to marry the greatest man alive. It's all me. :P

Movie Review

Tonight I went out shopping with my best friend Alayna--we took the opportunity to be ultimately girly and go see a very girly movie--Penelope. This was seriously one of the most adorable movies I have seen in a long time.
What I loved about it:
The characters- whimsical but real, funny but still relevant, and downright endearing.
The costumes- I so want her clothes--for a girl stuck inside her house her whole life, she had a simply spectacular wardrobe.
The story- very sweet with a good message but not so cheesily/shallowly done as such stories often are.
The guy- adorable, and everything he did ended up all making sense in the end
Just the whole feel of it was fun and clean and uplifting. And so beautifully designed. I want to live in that movie.
I recommend it most definitely--especially if you're a girl.

What a Day

Today I felt

Happiness: when the sun came out again after the all-day snowfall of yesterday (ugh!)
Embarrassment: because I locked myself out of the office and had to eat my lunch outside the door waiting for someone to let me in.
Frustration: most likely because I am hormonal and overtired, and then because I was made to wait a long time at the distribution center.
Shame: because the very kind lady with whom I was so frustrated thanked me profusely for my patience.
Gratitude: for the gentle reminder to be patient and kind and forgiving--as this lady was with me.
Triumph: because (and admittedly this is a very shallow triumph) I finally nailed the intro to My Name is Jonas at the medium level on guitar hero.
Love: because my husband is so loving and patient with me, even when I'm not being patient with him.
and
Delight: when I discovered that with my new magnetic cell phone case I can actually stick my phone to the refrigerator.

Guitar Hero Tells Me I Rock

So I wanted to write a blog entry yesterday, keeping with the whole goal of writing something every day. But, there were more pressing matters to attend to. Those pressing matters would be, as the title of this blog indicates, playing Guitar Hero. James is excited because I'm addicted to a video game. I'm just excited cuz I get to "play" Weezer and Killers songs—and then, whether I get a perfect score or a dismal pass, Guitar Hero tells me "You Rock!"

Oh, Possibility

Sunday is a day when, for me, everything seems possible. Can I make an affordable, healthy, tasty meal every day this week? Why, yes. Can I set aside time every day for scripture study? Certainly. Can I keep my house in the nearly crisp state I have spent the entire weekend to achieve? No prob-o-lem. Ah, Sunday. How I love you. I'm glad you come around every seven days so I can have this feeling of empowerment and starting-over-ness that I love so much. Even if it is all shot to hades by Tuesday afternoon.
Right now I'm sitting in my greatest triumph of the weekend--the back room, aka The Room of Death, aka The Pit of Despair, aka The Garage. Yeah, I know that last one is not nearly so dramatic, but I found it to be an accurate description of what this room has come to be in the nearly nine months that James and I have lived here. It is the catch-all, the hiding place of messes, the museum for pieces that may yet come in handy. At least--it was (cue dramatic music)--until now. Yes, friends--as of yesterday this room has been transformed into a clean and highly functional actual room. The bookshelf holds (mostly) books; the hutchy-thing stores craft materials; the desk is home to assorted paperwork, old pairs of glasses, and the sewing machine; the floor is (blessedly) clean of clutter--I even vacuumed it. (By the way, I think the "Hardest Word to Spell Ever" award goes to "vacuumed".) *Tracie if you're reading this, notice the British style punctuation. I couldn't help myself.* Ok ok, let me get to the best part. The best part is we've moved the birds nest-y chair to right below the window, which I now have open and the cool breeze (can you believe it was warm enough today -70 degrees!- that I can appreciate a cool breeze?) is softly wafting through the window and making me feel even stronger that sense of Sunday possibility.
Oh, possibility.

Monday, Not So Monday

I'm backdating my blog and writing this blog as if I had written it on Monday, which I didn't, but my goal was to write every day in my blog so I thought I'd go ahead and pretend like I did write in my blog so that I could more easily get into the habit. So here it is, Monday's blog:

A Few of My Favorite Things

Favorite color: red (I'm wearing a red undershirt, a red sweater, and a red-trimmed shirt today--Wednesday, that is, not Monday)
Favorite food: recently? seven-layer dip. I blame James. (would that not be the coolest name for a band? I Blame James in town this Saturday!)
Favorite thing to do when there's nothing to do at work: Chat with Mom, or text with Cyndi
Favorite song of the moment: See You Again, by Miley Cyrus. Weird, I know.
Favorite band right now: The Killers
Favorite thing about living in Utah: the mountains
Favorite thing to daydream about: Going to Greece soon
Favorite web site to fool around on: Daybreakbreakutah.com
Favorite thing to do on said web site: pretend I live there
Favorite thing to do once I get home from work: take a bath and relax
Favorite shows: Chuck, Monk, Psych, and Battlestar Gallactica
Favorite shoes: black ballet flats
Favorite thing to do after dinner: take a walk with James and/or make milkshakes
Favorite people: All of you!
Favorite thing about Monday: when it's actually Wednesday

Your turn! Tell me what your favorite things are!