Tuesday, January 18, 2011

irk. irritate. peeve.

You know what's really starting to IRK me?


2 hour classes.


And I'm not even in school this semester!


That's a full 2 hours, and sometimes even longer than that... that Devin has to be in class. Each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.


Do you know how much homework you get when your class lasts 2+ hours?


A whole lot.


And it's not even midterms! :(


I'm lucky Dev's so smart and productive!

Monday, January 17, 2011

errands. and the history channel.

Today's productivity consisted of:


1. sleeping in until I finally woke up at 11:00 when Dev texted me... thanks for the wake-up call, love ;) haha


2. starting, but not completing Sherlock Holmes... which is easily in my top 5 favorite movies of all times (they are coming out with a second?! is katie thrilled? YES), and I have been wanting to watch it for weeks now!


3. running a few errands before heading to Devin's to help him with Bridal Show stuff, and to keep him company while he did some homework...


ERRANDS are fun to me. My mom has always complained about errands, because she hates driving around town. She will literally take every side road possibly if it means avoiding State Street. She even tries to avoid orem boulevard! It's a bit hilarious, but anyway, I love errands. Maybe it's because I like driving. Correction though: I like running errands.... when I'm not in a hurry...


And today started out as no rush, because I had given myself plenty of time. I disregarded the fact that it's a Holiday, and everyone had the day off to run their errands, so I miscalculated a little bit. First stop was over due. FINALLY picked up these:






I had to try them on, and naturally, got carried away when I started taking pictures to show them off to you... but I'm so excited! I actually got these for Christmas, and had gone into Mountain Works not knowing exactly what I was looking for, and had my Mom with me. I love you, Mom, but you are no help when it comes to climbing shoes, haha!


Luckily, Christian, who I later found out is one of Devin's good friends, helped me pick out the perfect shoes, but I, not knowing how climbing shoes worked, ended up getting a size that would be too big.


Climbing shoes are supposed to deform your feet. They are supposed to barely fit, and scrunch your toes, and hurt. As you climb in them, they will stretch out a little and form to your foot and be easier to climb in, and even a little more comfortable, but the whole concept is to make climbing more efficient. The shoes force your feet to point, which is a huge help in climbing, you have more control. And they make it so you can use your toes to support your weight.


Anyway, I naturally got a bigger size then what I needed, because I wasn't used to having my shoes squish my feet! I had been climbing in a pair of Devin's (this same pair I now have), and they were a 1/2 size smaller than the shoes I had got for Christmas. And they were Devin's! haha I liked how those fit though, so I just traded my 38s for a 37 1/2, but the store didn't have them in stock, and ordered them for me instead. Finally got a call on Thursday saying they were in, but just made it down today to pick them up!


Can't wait to break them in! I'm getting so anxious to climb now-- Dev and I haven't been in awhile because of school and work and other plans, but all of that will change eventually! Next step: gym pass.


I've been slacking on getting a gym pass, mostly because I keep forgetting to, but also because other things kept coming up that needed my money!


Which brings me to my next point: Katie is going to start looking for a new job. I LOVE BBW. It is the best job I have ever had considering the environment I work in: everyone is so amazing and I love them all! But I am living paycheck to paycheck, which is definitely no fun at all! And I am not getting nearly enough hours to support myself like I should. It's a little ridiculous. After talking with Devin about it, I have narrowed my search. I definitely need a job that isn't retail, or part time, and I need something with steady hours, so I know I will be working often.


I have been hitting the KSL classifieds and revamped my resume today, so cross your fingers I can find something awesome! And, if you know of anything, let me know!


Wow. That was a lot of explaining.


The only other errand I ran was to Wal Mart. Which is why it was the only other errand I ran. Wal Mart is great and all, they have everything you need in one store, but I have never been a huge fan of the winners that hang out there, or the massive crowds! Wal Mart isn't great quality either, but I got a giftcard from my little sister for Christmas, and decided I would use it on some cheap photo prints: which was my first mistake.


Yes, the prints at Wal Mart are cheap and convenient, and I get prints from there every once in awhile, but they are just that: cheap! Anyway, I was using the special machine and got everything I wanted and it printed out my ticket that says "redeem in 5 minutes" and went to grab some other things I needed, taking WAY more than 5 minutes, but when I went back to the machine to redeem my receipt by scanning the barcode, it said my prints weren't ready. So I browsed the housewares, which is my favorite part of any store, and came back: still not ready.


I even stood and waiting for the lady at the counter to help me, but she was talking to the Fire Search and Rescue guys, and I figured it was important, plus I had lost my attention span, so I went to try it again: still nothing.


Not until that third try, did I realize I was scanning the wrong barcode! You may think I am the idiot, but I blame Wal Mart. There are literally 3 different barcodes on that receipt. Not joking. 3. Plus I was in a hurry!


So that didn't help at all. Finally made it to Devin's, and we got everything done we needed to: framed a bunch of big prints he had done, and they look so great! The whole thing is coming together, and I am so excited for it! We then found ourselves watching countless episodes of Pawn Stars, American Pickers, and Campus PD until we realized it was passed our bed time.


Gooooood day. Except that D hasn't been feeling well :( and there is nothing I can do about it! hmph. Here's hoping tomorrow goes better for him, though!


fun fact #1: I tested my words per minute typing skills today. the average person is at about 50-60 words per minute. The first free online test I tried, I got 93. I know I'm a speedy typer, but I thought maybe that was wrong, so I did it again and got 96. Then I thought maybe that specific online test was wrong, so I did 3 others. I got a 103, 94, and 98. Daaaaaaang. YOU should try! I want to know what you guys get on the WPM test! This is the test I got a 94 on, which I feel is about my average.


fun fact #2: Devin has me hooked on the History Channel. Since dating him, I have a whole new set of DVR recordings! Pawn Stars, Storage Wars, IRT, American Pickers, Cops, Top Gear (not all on the history channel, but all shows I watch now that Devin's got my addicted to them!)

Sunday, January 16, 2011

It Happened.

Pretty Little Tea Party.


#1.


SO much fun.


Kylee brought some Tulsi Tea (all organic and herbal, and delicious). She also made chicken salad sadwiches. I made lemonade, mini muffins, and a cinnimon fruit bowl. It was so yummy, and my tea party table setting job wasn't so bad if i do say so myself! In the future those, these tea parties are going to get pretty serious. Just you wait...



Saturday, January 15, 2011

Adventure #Milagro's

Devin and I have been wanting to try out that new restaurant, Milagro's for the past little while, and finally decided to go last night... we didn't know what we were in for!


We got seated right away and had looked through the whole menu and sat for another 5 minutes before anybody even talked to us. When the waitress finally came, she said she was confused and wasn't told we were her table: the only understandable mistake she made all night. She brought us some chips and salsa: a really yummy tomatillo salsa that we both loved!


We were obviously ready to order right away, so she got us our drinks and our orders, but not without making us repeat ourselves multiple times. About 5 minutes after she took our orders, she came back and said


"Sorry for the wait, I think the food is still just cooking."


Um... yeah, that sounds about right... [WHAT?! I wish this was a joke!] I really hope it was her first night, because the service was horrible! Absolutely ridiculous!


Finally, we got our food, Devin ordered Fillet Mignon Tacos and I got a pork Chimichanga. I loved mine, but Devin wasn't impressed.


I had been noticing a little boy walking around the restaurant with a guitar, and thought it was cool, and then I heard him playing "Hey Soul Sister" to a table on the other side of the restaurant and it was the cutest thing! Eventually, he worked his way to our table and said, "Would you like to hear a song?" Of course I said yes, and he handed me his very professional setlist so I could pick a song! Devin asked him some questions and we learned that he's only 11 years old and he learned to play the guitar on the Internet! He was pretty talented too! The top of the setlist said his name was "Jackson Danger"... adorable. He played "Hey There, Delilah" for us and then he was summoned to the kitchen. It was the single most adorable thing, and by far the best part of the whole experience at Milagro's.


After our meal, which we could only describe as an adventure, we went grocery shopping and watched inception. It was a great night! I love Devin, he is the absolute best!


PLUS ALSO, here are the pictures from my best friend's wedding day, which was, in one word: absolutelyperfect.












It was such a perfect day. Valeri looked so beautiful, she was always smiling, and she was glowing! Garrison could not have been happier!


Since it was a Thursday, Devin had work and class, and said he would come to the reception, but he would be pretty late. I was just happy he would be there at all! I went to the reception right at 6:30 with my mom, and when she left, my sister showed up. I had been running around talking to old friends and helping Stef, and I walked up to my sister and was telling her that I miseed Devin and wished he could have been here earlier, and right then... Devin walked up to me! I was soooo happy! He said his class had been cancelled -- that was the best surprise! I was so happy that he could be there with me to celebrate Val and Garr's wedding! We had so much fun!


Also, at the reception, they had a photo booth set up! Devin and his friend Shawn took some pictures, and so did all three of us together, but these are the only ones I kept:










it was such a perfect day!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

perfection.

Today was perfection.


Pure perfection.


My best friend got married and sealed to the love her life for time and all eternity. I honestly believe Val helped God make Garrison -- he is that perfect for her.


I was honored to not only go to the temple, and congratulate the beautiful couple as they came out, but was invited to the luncheon, and reception.


My amazing boyfriend surprised me by showing up to the reception earlier then I thought-- best surprise of my life!


And he made me feel pretty all night long :)


I will post all the pictures tomorrow, but I just had to tell you.


Today was perfect.
I am so completely happy.
I am, without a doubt, the luckiest girl in the whole world.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

plus also

i put my free time to good use this morning, see?:


I know, right?


and then...






i consider this morning to have been productive. but now what will i do with the rest of my day?!


oh, by the way... some more views:








plus also... Kylee and I have started to invest in some serious tea party supplies... I can't wait for our tea party!




this is only the beginning!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

success.

>>Bachelorette Party: total success.




The night started a little off... but once we all got to Salt Lake, had some sushi at an awesome restaurant called Simply Sushi, opened some hilarious presents, and spent the remaineder of the evening with the 25+ crowd at Studio 600 (not a joke... we were literally there, at studio 600... with a bunch of creepy old men wearing unfashionable buttondown shirts tucked into their levi's, dancing like, well, 30-something-year-old men!)... it all worked out perfectly.


>>Sean's Birthday Party: also total success.


Devin picked me up and we headed to Malawi's for some dinner with Chloe and Sean, Chloe's parents, friends, sisters, and brother, and Devin's parents, and ate some delicious pizza. After that, we had a break until bowling, which Devin and I used to be successful once more (see next bullet point). Then, we went bowling, and a bunch of Sean's other friends showed up -- I did horribly, as usual, but it was still so much fun! I liked meeting Chloe's family, they were all so nice! And I met some of Sean and Devin's friends too (because yes, we ran into people Devin knew at Malawi's and Miracle Bowl... I should really stop being surprised...).


>>Bridal Show Prep: a total success in progress.


The show isn't until February 19th, but Devin is so on top of things. He had his friend, Josh design him 2 new business cards a little while ago, and just recently had him design a banner, and some price sheets. Devin has a 10x10 booth, and has planned every little detail! I'm blown away by how detail-oriented he is-- in a good way! Today, during the break before bowling, we got a bunch of frames for some prints to be on display, and grabbed some other things he needed. The whole thing is really starting to come together! More good news: Devin's skill is now OFFICIAL! He is now Captured By Dash Photography, LLC which means he is a legitimate business according to the state. He is now a business owner! I don't know why I think that is so exciting, but I love how successful he has been, and how professional he is about his business. He handles everything so well, and it is so impressive to me. I can't wait to see the kind of doors that open for him after he does the Bridal Show.


>>Tomorrow's plan: a success waiting to happen.


Tomorrow is going to be a busy day! There is a farewell and a homecoming that I would love to go to, but highly doubt I can make it to either (sorry Taylor and Aktar!). I am looking forward to going to church, as usual -- it's about time for some spiritual enlightenment! After church, Devin and I will go to his parent's for Sunday dinner, as usual, but then we're heading to Wagstaff's for birthday cake and ice cream for Kaden! Chico's turning 5! He is the cutest kid ever, and I am excited for him to start kindergarten next year! I think he will love it. Devin also wants to make time to visit his grandma, which I really hope we can do! She is literally one of the most kind-hearted, selfless people I have ever met! She is so sweet. I absolutely love her!




SO... life's been pretty successful lately, to say the least :)


Valeri is getting married on THURSDAY and I am so, so thrilled for her. Talking with her these last few days has been so uplifting. Valeri was able to go get her endowments out earlier this week, and I loved hearing her talk about how the experience made her feel. I can't wait to go through the temple! She described it as such a strong bonding experience that brought her and Garrison so much closer on so many different levels, and I can't wait to experience that for myself some day! I am so happy for my best friend, and I am so proud of her! I highly doubt it has been an easy road getting to where she is today, and as flawlessly as she did! She is such an amazing example to me, and I can't wait to watch her walk out of the temple on Thursday, holding the hand of her husband, the one she has been waiting for all her life! It will be the happiest day of her life, and no doubt one of the happiest days of mine! I am sad that Devin won't be able to come with me to any part of her day, because of work and school, but it's sure to be a memorable day nonetheless! LCFMTY, B! I love you, Val. I am so, so happy for you. You definitely deserve every bit of happiness this brings you. Garrison is an amazing guy, and exactly the kind of gentleman I would expect you to spend your eternity with!