Mystery No More

Back in January I wrote a post about my experience with the doctor at the insta care. Well, a few days after that post I started to feel better so I started working out. The very next day I was sick again. I felt exactly as I did the week before. Horribly sick for a day and then gradually got better. My mom and I decided I should probably not try and work out for awhile since I seemed to have a relapse each time. After a few days I felt a ton better...except that I was tired all the time. Now when I say tired I mean that I would be watching TV and at like 7pm I had to get in bed. Not just the "oh I'm tired" I literally HAD to get in bed. I was pretty sure I had Mono. too old or not. So I started taking it slower. If I wasn't at work I was resting. Finally at the end of March I decided to go get a check up with a real doctor. I had him order some blood work and he tested for a TON of things. Six vials of blood. ouch. Anyway, someone, either the lab or my doctor's office, lost my lab results. So from the end of March until today my tests were floating, unclaimed, in the world of hospital records. The MA called me today and informed me that my blood work showed 3 antibodies suggesting that my body had at some point been fighting mono. As of March, I had previously had mono. And since I've never had anything similar to that before January I can safely assume that I have solved the mystery of my exhaustion. hooray. And pox on that retarded doctor who did not do blood work on me because he didn't think my glands were swollen enough and who thought I was too old to have mono. Lame!! And thanks for Nothing!!

Nothing to see ..

Why do men have to look around so much when they are driving? Have you ever noticed that? I swear every time I get behind a male driver he is always looking out his window. Instinctively I look because I am asking myself what the devil he is looking at and I see Nothing! What are they looking at..I see an empty field, a parking lot, a house...nothing of note. They just drive slower because they are looking at everything BUT the road. At least while you are driving a motor vehicle please look at the road!

Don't ask..

I begin with an apology to anyone who is planning on being a broadcast journalist. But why do they always ask the dumbest questions?!?! I came home the other day and my parents had the news on. They were doing some coverage of the tornado ravaged cities..they showed footage of cities that had been ripped apart and the reporter asks, "wow, do these people feel lucky to be alive?" um duh. But I realized they do it ALL the time...anyone remember the Olympics... the capital of stupid questions..."you just missed the medal podium, how does that feel?" I mean for the love, what do you expect these people to say...think about your questions before you open your mouth!!

"It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"

Pants on the Ground

My last post (which was from an email my mom sent me) reminded me of an episode of American idol this season. I didn't really watch it but my niece and nephew introduced me to this particular episode. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, an older gentleman (62 yrs) wrote his own song titled "pants on the ground" it was pretty funny. So out of curiosity I looked on itunes and there it was. You can purchase "pants on the ground" for $1.29. It has a ton of downloads. What is our society coming to?! haha. In the words of Simon "I have a scary feeling that song could be a hit"

If you haven't seen it, look it up. "American Idol 2010 auditions- A crazy moment with "pants on the Ground" & General Larry Platt

www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiQkGouzck4

FINALLY ITS BEEN EXPLAINED!

Strike 2 for UPS

So for a week now I've had a swimsuit sitting on my bed. Mostly it was there because it is too big and I need to exchange it for the right size. So today, I finally talked myself into taking it to the post office. I really really didn't want to go but I did. I took my mom so I'd have more motivation to actually get in the car. As I'm driving, I somehow manage to get behind a man on a joy ride. And I do literally mean he was joy riding. 20 mph in his convertible in a 25mph zone. (anyone who knows me well knows that I HATE slow drivers) so after several blocks behind him I finally get to turn into the post office. Low and behold it is closed. I must have missed the memo that says the post office is no longer open on Saturdays. BLAST. So my mom says, "well UPS can send it insured mail". Perfect. I drive over to UPS and no joke, as I am pulling into the parking lot I see the employee closing the door. I thought no way its only 2:54pm. They have to be open until 3pm at least. So I pull up right in front of it to see if I can find posted hours or something. As we sit there I see him pulling his gate across the counter to lock up the register. He really was closing for the day! I sat there stunned for a minute and gave up. I pulled out of my parking spot and as I'm pulling away from the building my mom says "wait a minute". I turn around and the employee has come out and unlocked the door. At this point I was so annoyed with him that I just blew him off and drove away. I mean seriously, did he really think I was going to do a 12 point turn in the parking lot. He couldn't have opened the door while I was still sitting in my parking space. Perhaps he is unaware that the economy sucks and he needs every one's business. Its Saturday. And this is Utah. Everyone does everything at the last minute. He doesn't get to close 6 min early. Or perhaps in his world he does...and in my world the US post office will be getting my business on Monday. What a waste of my time!! Strike 2!

PS ( in case you are wondering about strike 1-UPS messed something up at work)

Cast it in...

Fishing is an interesting thing...you bait your hook, you throw it out into a vast body of water, and you wait. You wait until a fish decides to bite. Then you reel it in...sometimes you keep the fish and sometimes you set it free. What does this have to do with anything? I will tell you...

ok the last couple of days I have had several interesting conversations with some pretty amazing friends. Specifically tonight I was talking to a friend. She's amazing, return missionary, strong testimony, gorgeous voice, smart- graduating from byu with a business degree, has a full time job lined up...she is a catch. She was expressing to me her frustration that all the guys she has been out with just want to be her friend. Specifically these boys will take her on dates, they call her, they spend hours talking to her about anything and everything-but they just want to be friends. I fully understand that a person has to be attracted to the person they choose to marry...so don't get me wrong. that's not the direction this ranting is going.

So during our conversation tonight she tells me that a guy she was on a date with last week told her that he doesn't want to marry a girl who is smarter than him. He wants a wife who needs him and depends on him. THIS is where I have a problem. So many guys don't think about their futures. I don't think he should marry a girl smarter than him but I also don't think he, or any other guy, should marry a girl who is not his equal. I think a lot of guys cheat themselves out of a really great relationship. I started thinking about the guys I know...and not all of them...but quite a few of them have settled for girls who don't encourage them to be better...and to keep progressing. on the flip side, I know too many girls who married the first guy who asked because they just wanted to be married. They wanted to be taken care of and start a family.

Again, let me clarify. I am not knocking the goal of getting married and having a family...in fact I am all about it. I am, however, not a fan of rushing into it. I am continually baffled that so many guys just want a wife that depends on them...they aren't thinking about the future. What happens if you can't provide for her anymore, what happens if work takes you away for awhile...will she be able to manage the household? If you pass away first, will she be able to balance her checkbook or pay the bills? Or will she suddenly be lost and insecure? That is where my confusion lies...I just have to ask myself how anyone can be truly happy that way. Let me see if I can explain my train of thought....

men: Don't you want a wife who is with you because she wants to be and not because she needs to be. Don't you want to know that she choose you for you..and not just because you could provide for her, because she needs you to take care of her. Don't you want to be with someone who understands you.

Women: Don't you want to be with someone you can have a conversation with, someone who isn't always telling you how things are but who asks for your input. Don't you want to know that you are helping your husband and not just adding to his responsibility.

I for one want an equal marriage or none at all...eternity is a long time. I once heard a very profound statement by a woman lawyer in DC...she said, "I will never love a man because I NEED him. But I will NEED a man because I love him."

And as for these boys and their "lets just be friends"- I say cut the cord. Lets face it...friendships with the opposite sex are not a lasting thing. (there are some exceptions) but generally as soon as one or both of you gets serious with someone your friendship is over- unless you are all friends but that is another story. The long walks, the chats over dinner...all those things are gone when you get engaged to someone else or at least they should be...so why waste the time...its sucks but move on to a smarter guy. Ladies...you don't want a fly fisher..you want a man who casts his reel and waits patiently, hooks a good one (you) and knows its a good one...If he doesn't know what he's got while he's got it...then he doesn't deserve to keep it. He deserves to go hungry.... :) too many metaphors? maybe? but you get my point.

Kicking my own butt!

Ok we all know how I feel about diets. And I think we all agree they are lame. So I'm going to share with you something that is NOT lame. Jilliam Michales (the trainer from the biggest Loser) 30 day shred. I'm going to confess that I laughed at my sister when she was doing this video. And last week I decided to try it myself. My niece wanted someone to do level one with her so I agreed. OH MY HECK! its only 20 min long....3 circuit's made up of 3 min strength, 2 min cardio and 1 min of abs. Sounds easy. I warn you...it is NOT. I have not been able to walk normal for a week now. I am not sure I'll ever make it to level two alive. So I'm telling you...forget the diet. If you want to lose weight and get in shape go to target/walmart and get this video. You will seriously kick your own butt!

What is the point???

I'm sitting at work yesterday and a co-worker says to me, "oh my gosh, only 12 more days of my diet. the end is in sight. I can make it" I didn't say anything but i'm thinking to myself, what is the point of a diet anyway? you deprive yourself of stuff for a month of two or however long the dumb thing is and then what...you count down till the end when you can eat all the crap you ate before. But you probably eat twice as much since you've been deprived of it for so long! completely pointless. diets are stupid. End of soap box :)

Not just for children...

Many of you have probably noticed that the title of my blog comes from a popular Dr. Seuss book. And if you didn't realize it...you are missing a vital piece of your education. OH the places you'll go is my favorite book. I am in love with children's books. But not just any children's book. I have two requirements for a children's book to be considered good...and a book has to meet at least one of them...and those that meet both are termed "favorite". If you are in the market for a good children's book here are a few of my favorites:

Oh the Places you'll go- Dr. Seuss -A book about life- successes and failures

The Spider and the Fly-Tony DiTerlizzi-Mary Howitts Cautionary tale about pretty words hiding not so pretty intentions. (the illustrations in this one are amazing)

The Paper Bag Princess- Robert Munsch/Michael Martchenko- no damsel in distress this princess saves the day and doesn't take garbage from anyone..not even her prince.

The Rough-Face girl- Rafe martin/ David Shannon-Indian folklore a story of looking beyond the outer appearance and on the heart.

The Tale of Three Trees- Retold by Angela Elwell Hunt-Three trees whose wishes come true but not always in the way they imagine.

Cinder Edna- Ellen Jackson-A story of what can be done without a fairy god mother, making your dreams happen all on your own.

Fanny's Dream- caralyn Buehner-not waiting for life to give you your dreams, but learning to work hard and enjoy the life you have chosen.

The giving tree- Shel Silverstein-Self-less love and service

A Christmas Dress for Ellen- retold by Thomas S. Monson-A story of service and love to bring a Christmas miracle to a little girl and her family

The Christmas Candle- Richard Paul Evens-The light of Christ helps us see things as they really are

Max Lucado- You are special, Because I love you, Just the way you are, I'll be with you always, and With you all the way- Religious themed about knowing who you are and of your worth.

These are a few of my favorite books with great life lessons for young and old.

Trying something different...

They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result. Therefore I must be insane. I started taking voice lessons at the beginning of January and each month I choose a song to work on and then I sing it in master class and am critiqued by my fellow voice students. To be honest, the last four months I have chosen songs that I am already super comfortable with, songs well in my range and far away from my breaks. I wanted to make sure I sounded good when I sang in master class. I don't like to do things I'm not good at...so naturally I chose songs I knew I could sing well. But this month we are working on our recital piece. So I chose something a little more challenging. Good morning Baltimore from Hairspray. I will be working on this song until the end of April and I didn't want to get bored. However, while practicing this week I decided this song is too hard for me and I started flipping through my books to see if I could find something easier. And then I realized how totally insane that was. I mean, I am paying my voice teacher to teach me to sing...how can he help me through my breaks and teach me correct technique if I am singing stuff that doesn't challenge me or even require me to practice. My goal in taking voice lessons is to learn to control my voice and be comfortable singing anything anyone places in front of me....but that will never happen by singing the same type of song every month. I might be insane...or maybe just a big chicken. I am going to sing the song from Hairspray. I can do hard things and even if I mess it up completely, I will hopefully have learned something I haven't learned previously. Its time to try something different....

Happy Easter!

Could Easter have been any better?? Seriously, Easter is great in and of itself but because it was also conference Sunday I got to spend the whole day with my family! Spending a Sunday with my family has only happened about 2 times in the last year and a half and because of Easter there was even more family to be surrounded by! My brother, his wife Leslie and their five kids were visiting from California. Also joining the fun with my sister and her two kids, and my little brother, his wife Emily, and their new-ish baby Karra. So So much fun!! And to top it all off one of my very best friends from Idaho came down to see me!! Seriously- best Easter ever!! I hope everyone had an amazing Easter and enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed mine!!

You get what you expect...

yesterday I was driving down to springville and just before the University ave exit I suddenly found myself in bumper to bumper traffic. I thought this was strange since it was about 6:30pm and well past the more congested areas of I-15. I mean really...how many people live south of provo? Anyway, I had decided that there must be an accident. It was snowing pretty heavily. It wasn't sticking on the roads but visibility was pretty bad. As I continued to creep along the freeway I saw on my right a large construction sign that said "4/10/10 expect delays" Interesting. As it was only the 1st, I concluded the congestion could not be a by product of construction. As I passed the sign the traffic broke and I was once again going a normal freeway speed. I was glad that no one was in an accident. Still there was no explaination for the slowing...not a flat tire, a ticket, or a cop in sight. Everyone was told to expect delays and I can only conclude that because they were expecting them they actually created delays. Oh the power of the subconscious mind. I could be totally off on my conclusions but that's all I have....interesting but mostly it was annoying. I can't stand traffic as it is...but pointless traffic is even worse.

"I just haven't met you yet"

Last night my brother Dave, his wife Leslie, my mom, my niece, and I went to see Michael Buble at the E center in west valley Utah. first let me say, we were in traffic for almost an hour...there is one entrance into the parking lot and no traffic cops..whose bright idea was that?? plus it was snowing so no one wanted to walk the mile to get in. so after struggling to get into the venue we reached our seats and my feet were immediately glued to the floor. And I do mean literally glued to the floor. I have never felt a stickier floor anywhere!! The longer your feet were stationary the harder it was to lift them...That being said. The opening act- naturally 7 was actually really fun. They are an all male acapella group...normally I don't care for acapella groups but these guys were really entertaining and fun to watch. Then Michael himself came out...his opening was definitely an attention grabber. His live band was incredible. In case you are wondering...he sounds just a great live as on his CD and for the type of music he sings his concert was really entertaining. He was funny and definitely performs to his crowd. The only thing I was disappointed with was his occasional slip of inappropriate language...other than that the show was well worth the money. Plus my niece is crazy about him so it was entertaining just to sit next to her and feel her excitement at being at her first concert. So fun!!

An interesting thing happened as well...I was reminded that we as a society need to lighten up sometimes. I noticed during his 3 song encore that hundreds of people were rushing up the stairs to exit the venue before everyone else. As I watch this exodus I say to myself "you people payed good money to see this show and now you are rushing out before the man is even done performing" what a waste...I can't even imagine paying money to see some one's show and then getting up and leaving before they were even done...and for what?? To shave 30 min off your drive home? totally pointless. I stayed in my seat and watched through to the end and guess what...I still got home :)