I Practically Live in Heaven

On my first day of Christmas Break(where I didn't have to work) I actually took the time to sit down and watch a movie. After getting up at 530 to catch a flight I wasn't about to run to the store to rent on and the OnDemand Menu's best option was Much Ado About Nothing.
I'm not one to sit and read Shakespere just for some good jollies, but I really do enjoy his plays and seeing them acted out.
I had never watched the whole movie before, but I absolutely loved it. Not only did it have my favorite Keanu Reeves(He's so dreamy) and some other big namers like Denzel and Emma T., it also was filmed in my most favorite place in the world. After a long argument with Truth about where it was filmed Napa or Italy, I was victorious in our litigation and reaped all the benefits as only a victor could.
Maybe because I haven't really watched all that many movies lately, but for some reason this movie was so funny. It was full of witty banter and I couldn't stop laughing. I also noticed how much the English language has changed since then. We're really killing it slowly and surely. Of course it had my favorite line "O, that I were a man" by the wonderful Beatrice in her moment of grief.
I love the character of Beatrice. A strong, sassy mouthed single girl full of wit not taking crap from anyone("sounds like someone else I know" pipes in Truth), especially the equally sassy-mouthed Benedict. The relationship between Beatrice and Benedict was the best part of the movie. That and Michael Keaton as the idiot constable. After pretending to hate each other for so long the truth comes out that they they really love each other. At their wedding she said she loved him "Not beyond reason." It was hilarious! I would totally say something like that too.
I encourage all you non-commenting readers to go and watch this movie. You will laugh and learn as well.

Well, it turns out the guy who bought it (was wearing a kilt) is doing his 4th Ironman triathalon. So what I thought was going to be an hour long church basketball embarrassment is now turning into an overnight, get up at 4 and wait three hours while he bikes, comes back to change and runs. Plus he mentioned something about me having to paint his body with numbers. I don't know really what he's talking about, but I'm so excited. Maybe it will encourage me to do a mini triathalon like a sprint.

I just want to see how it works. I am really excited he bought it, because he will totally love all the support I can give him. Good thing too. Now other people want to come watch him compete, so maybe I will be President of his fan club as well. (another resume booster) How many people could write that?

"President of Scottish Man's Fan Club" Duration:1 ironman event

Duties included:

One monogramed towel
One Capri Sun Hydration Unit
Orange Flavored Slices
One hand made poster decorated to meet his specific sporting needs
Photography of the event (including one framed picture)
All out cheering and total embarrassment of myself, just to make Scottish man look good.
Organizing of all other cheerleaders and fan mail.
Waking up super early and painting his body with numbers

I look forward to the challenge. And yes, my dignity did go for cheap.

For my ward's service auction this Saturday I thought this would be a creative thing I would provide and have fun doing:

"Your Biggest Fan

I will attend one sporting event that you are competing in and provide the ultimate emotional support and encouragement to ensure your sporting success. This includes:

One monogramed towel
One Capri Sun Hydration Unit
Orange Flavored Slices
One hand made poster decorated to meet your specific sporting needs
Photography of the event (including one framed picture)
All out cheering and total embarrassment of myself, just to make you look good.

This can also be applied to watching your favorite sports team if desired. Certain terms and restrictions due apply.
I will not support LA Lakers, Oakland Raiders or Ottawa Senators due to personal preferences."

Let's hope that my dignity doesn't come cheap.

So the other day I was at the gym and the Biggest Loser happened to be on. I have a strong affinity for this show because my cousin was a contestant on the 2nd season. She didn't win because she didn't lose a lot of weight after they found out she was pregnant. (If you guessed she was the one from Utah, give yourselves a big high five) But one thing I have always loved about the show is Bob, the blue trainer.
Not only is he super hot, he's uber-sweet. Yes, I know that we will never be together because of his preferences, but that's not why I love him. He just exudes support and advocates for his team members. Whether they win or lose, he loves them and its such a sweet thing to see from a trainer. I want them to lose weight so Bob will give them a hug and kiss. That's how much I love him.
One normally doesn't associated emotional encouragement from the guy who makes you do push ups, especially from a male. (no offense males, it's just not in your make-up to be that way) I often think of my basketball coach in high school, a retired drill sergeant who had absolutely no compassion for us and usually made his daughter run more.
But Bob is a rock of support for them and I just think he's great.
As I watched the show and awed at his love for the team as one was being kicked off, it made me think of my personal trainer. We'll call her Meena for security purposes. I recently signed up for a gym and didn't really like the people who worked there, but I was able to receive 6 trainings with a professional trainer. I thought it would be fun to see what someone else had to say, learn some new exercises or maybe get my own personal Bob.
We set up the first appt. where she determined my physical ability and how much I could lift and what my restrictions were(stupid knee=no running for me). The second session she kicked my trash and I was exhausted afterwards. I loved that workout, and I learned so much.
I thought things were going great.
We were well on our way to discussing traumatic childhood memories that lead me to overeat or crying together when my skinny jeans were too big for me or planning for that day when my best friend saw me again and we just start jumping up and down with excitement. Oh how I couldn't wait for our "Bob" moments to come.
That was 3 weeks ago and I haven't heard from her since. She hasn't returned any of my calls, and I'm wondering what did I do? I did everything she asked me too like a little puppy. I'm not new to the workout thing, but I was humble. I even did all the exercises I dislike doing like bicep curls and calf raises. I even did free weights! I hate free weights.
So one can only conclude that it wasn't meant to be. She wasn't the "Bob" for me after all. I continue to go to the gym regularly for my health, but it just isn't the same. I had such high dreams, big plans and long term goals. Oh well. I'm going to get my money back and write Bob a letter and tell him how wonderful he is.

So while home for the Thanksgiving madness, I saw my next door neighbors while on a walk. Marc, the kind fellow that he is asks the usual small talk questions and we are great at these little chats. Somewhere along his years of being my neighbor, he found out that I really love Nor-Cal bumper stickers. It was probably when I saw his and asked where he got it from and if he could get me one too. But ever since then all of our conversations somehow turn to a point where we comment on the last sticker we saw and if we liked it or not. This time at the normal point in our chat, he said that he had one for me. I was so excited and there on my sister's car when we left for church sat a new sticker for me.
Stephy just rolled her eyes and stated "You do know that you live in So-Cal now and have for the last part of your life?"
"Yes, but I'm not from San Diego" I replied.
"When are you ever going to claim it. You've lived there for 6 years."
"I'll never claim it." I stated.

This got me thinking. Sure I have lived here for the last 6 of 8 years of my life. But it's still not a majority or even enough for me to want to claim it. Don't get me wrong, I love San Diego. There is a lot of fun things to do, but I don't want to end up here. This is not another Nor-Cal is so much better rant, but more a declaration of purpose. I go to school here. That's what I do. When the schooling is done, I might go somewhere else.

I still have my home address in Stockton, still registered to vote there and most of my medical records there as well. Only this year did I get my immunization record from my mom. Maybe that's a sign that I might be staying down here permanently or just that I'm becoming more of an adult. Whatever it is, it's happening.
Speaking of immunization records. Today when I went to show the SDSU nurse mine, she pulled it out and said, "Oh, how precious. It's so little. I've never seen one that small. How cute!" Um.... a little weird. That's the piece of paper that is the proof I won't infect others with Hepatitis B and she found that cute. So apparently Utah County records department thought that making little records would be better than the normal sized ones. But just a funny story from today.

Sunday night after an action packed weekend a friend called to see if I wanted to go see Feist and Spoon at Universal Studios in LA. JES!!!! Sure it was the 2nd time in 2 days, but I only live once. Plus I didn't have school or work on Monday. Sometimes I like that I'm still a student after all these years.
We drove up after work and some wonderful Indian food at my house and got to see my favorite musician right now, Feist. Plus she's Canadian and I love all things Canadian! I've already posted a blog about her and check her out because she is really creative. Opening for her was Spoon. Most of you might know them from the Stranger than Fiction soundtrack, as they did most of the music from that movie. Their newest song "The Underdog" is really good too.
I love rock with piano in it and they both had piano and brass. How cool is that? Two thumbs up from this girl. I enjoy both of their sounds because they have songs from all over the spectrum and it's hard to label them. Just doing what they do and making good music. I'll stop trying to sound like I know much about the music industry and let your try for yourself. Here is a look at Spoon.

So I finally saw the musical event of the year this weekend and it was AMAZING!!! I loved it. Bruno came into town this weekend and we spent Saturday morning and afternoon at the Wild Animal Park. It was my first time in 4 years and I remembered how much I love it more than zoos. We saw the feedings of Gorillas, Tigers, Elephants and Giraffes and let me tell you, it makes a difference in the quality of your visit when you plan to see the feedings. The animals get up close and very active. Plus you have someone to ask questions.
I loved the tram that goes around the park and shows all the South African animals. I'm so ready for my safari to Jburg next year and pick up Golden Boy. I even learned what a Springbok is. Its the nickname of the S. African rugby team that won the World Championship this year. Its also a deer-like animal that is really cute and springy. At one point while looking at the lions, Bruno asks "Why do we need to go to S. Africa next year, we already saw all the animals?" Funny, but not true. The cutest thing we saw was a baby elephant running to keep up with the moving herd. His legs were moving so fast and his ears were flapping in the wind. He was part of the herd they shipped here from Swaziland to prevent them from being culled.
We also saw the Bird show with a beautiful Andian Condor. Which made me think why is the California condor so ugly and the Andian so beautiful? We spent so much money preventing the Cali condor from going extinct, but it's really ugly. I fully support preservation and that's what the Wild Animal Park is all about. So GO Califonia Condor!
The 2nd funniest thing we saw was Stephy-Steph playing with the blue Macaw in the Atrium. It was the most amazing blue color. The bird wasn't a performer and was just hanging out when Steph got really close. She would shake her head up and down and then the bird would do the same. Then she would shake her hair all over and the bird would follow suit. It kept us laughing for minutes and Stephy got quite the captive audience. Jeremy didn't think the bird was mimicking Stephy, but I think it was.
Then we drove to L.A. for the WICKED!! It was so awesome. We made final call after hitting way too much traffic. But we had 4th row tickets and the view was AMAZING!! The music was wonderful and the actresses were incredible. My most favorite musical by far. At half-time, as Stephy calls, we got to go to a VIP lounge under the theater and the best thing about it was the bathrooms-no line and the free snacks. At this point Jeremy states that he "definitely hates the music less now." Stephy had already seen it and driven Jeremy nuts with the music.
We had a great time and now I know some more songs other than Defying Gravity, which is still my favorite. Afterwards we walked around Hollywood Blvd and saw some streetwalkers and got some pizza for some post-theatre dinner. There are way too many cars there. It was fun to see all the stars on the sidewalk, but I was ready to leave L.A.
Sunday we had a nice walk on the beach, hit up Stephy's ward and I helped her teach the Sunbeams(3 year olds) They are hilarious and so full of personality. Bruno drove back after sacrament and while walking him out we saw a deer mouse running around the church and scaling the wall. Pretty interesting. Now back to the grind after a great weekend of not studying or doing work. I think that Bruno should come to see us more often.

Last weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to act as maid of honor to my good mission friend Quickhands McGinn now Loveland. I flew in Thursday night and as I boarded a plane, E$ called me to say that Truth was going to the hospital and their girl's night out with Gwen Stefani would be canceled. Truth is alright now. She is allowed to eat a lovely diet of liquids and no running. Truth I said NO RUNNING!!!! So after having a horrible flight, Quickhands picks me up and we are off to having fun. We stayed at her house to-be in Springville and stayed up late talking and reliving all the good times. Friday I ran errands with her and realized that I know Provo far too well for having never lived there. We carved pumpkins for center pieces, picked up rings, and had our mani-pedis.
In the nail shop where we saw the mouse, the MAN who did my feet asked if he could remove the callouses on my feet. I said no, that I was saving them for later. He didn't get the joke and took a razor to my feet. It's weird to see chunks of flesh flying off and not bleeding. Because one would assume that flying chunks of flesh=bleeding or at least pain. But no pain was felt and nails and toes were perfect. My first mani-pedi since before the mission.
Friday night we stayed at the Marriott in Provo, where the Colorado St football team was as well. They were very green with their hats, shirts and pants. The craziest thing was running into a former elder we served with in Italy staying there as well. I'm told it happens all the time in Provo, but for a California girl like me, that's crazy!
Saturday was a beautiful day and she looked great. We had a breakfast at the White Willow in Provo. A lovely Victorian home/reception hall. After stuffing my face with crepes, I gave a toast and then her family plus myaelf did a musical presentation. See Alma's blog for more details on the musical presentation.
They were married at the Provo Temple and no one else was there. It was so nice and the pictures will turn out wonderful, I'm sure. Then we went to the Springville Art Museum and set up. They had some great food that her family spent the last 2 days cooking. Yummy salmon and tri-tip and hummus yummness. I worked some in the kitchen and got an apron with the 2 of them stenciled on it and for wedding favors they gave away Canadian chocolate bars with stencil on it. I love things Canadian. I even bought some Red River Cereal in Provo.
After a wonderful evening of working with her family and making sure there was enough desserts, I called it quits and headed out with Megs. I stayed with her on Saturday night and got to get to know her new husband. He's a great guy and also served in Rome. So they speaka da italian together. We had a great lunch of ribs that Megs cooked. It was good to see her. She's just good peeps and good for my soul. She was kind enough to take me to the airport and I headed home.
It was a short trip, but so much fun. Alma did great and is so happy for her. Mike is wonderful and hopefully will make copies of his Muppets and Fragal Rock video collections. Overall an excellent adventure.

I love this lady's music. She rocks! Take a look at the awesome dance moves.

So Truth came to town this past weekend. Just in time to see the after effects of the fires that were part of FIRESTORM 2007. She came in Thursday to weather conditions like the high desert and the next morning we had a normal marine layer. I think she brought it in with her from Nor-Cal. Thanks Truth for the good weather. Friday after working 3 hours, I met up with Stephy and Truth to see some Dead Sea Scrolls. It was interesting to see and there were a couple of shout outs to the LDS church. Here's what I learned from the Dead Sea Scroll Exhibit:
1) Dead Sea Water is special because its 56% magnesium chloride and 37% potassium choride and 7% sodium chloride. That's what makes the mud so "special."
2) They were crazy good engineers to get all that water to come uphill into their little compound. Crazy good! It's amazing to see what they were capable of building and being able to live months off one flash flood.
3) I really need to learn Latin. It's one of my life goals and reading some if it just reminded me of what's important, learning a language that isn't spoken anymore outside the Vatican walls.
4) The Roman coins were finely made and Herod wasn't as bad as I thought he was. Normally the ruler had his face put on the coin, but Herod didn't want to upset the Jewish people more, so he had some leaves put on instead. Ahhh, how cute.
5) The guy who found the Scrolls thought it would be a good idea to throw rocks into the cave and break open the jars that contained the scrolls. Good move.
6) If I ever had an archeological island, Truth would be voted off it because she decided that it would be fun to break the pot that I was trying to rebuild. The exhibit was trying to show how hard it would be to put together broken pieces of pottery and I almost had a completed bowl, but then Truth came in like a 2 year old ripping it up. Not nice.
Then we went to the fine arts museum and it was FREE! Love it. For an art major, Stephy doesn't really like looking at fine art, its kind of funny. Then we played games at Stephy and Jer's house. Truth won the bean game, even after I told her "people like you don't win this game." She was being very stingy with her cards and not helping people out. That was a big moment for her and I was put in my place.
Saturday we played tennis and we both felt a little off our A game, but it was still fun. Tj and Judd put up a good game, too bad they had to win it in a tie breaker.
Comment of the Day, "Now I see where Julia gets her temper from." Tj said after Truth hit in the net and showed a little emotion, its funny, but true. Or Truth I should say.
Then the fam minus one Hair of Gold, went to the Wild Animal Park and saw the animals and the firelines near the park. They had a good time while I studied. We ate the wonderful Spice n' Rice in La Jolla and 3 of the 4 party members ate Panang curry, my favorite dish. We watched A Beautiful Mind and called it a night.
Sunday we went to their ward because they were in the Primary Presentation and it was SO CUTE!!! All the little kids tasting the microphone, or speaking really loud or freezing up once they realized all the attention was on them. I miss teaching the sunbeams. Stephy looked so cute up there with all the kids, she'll be a great mumsie.
We had a fun time at my ward for the baptisms and Truth got to meet some of the folks in my life. Then headed off the Waffle Night(my first time) for the best waffles I've ever had in my life. Thank you Waltons! I took her to the airport after that. It was a short trip and I already miss her.

Anonymous-
Don't you get sassy with me. This is my blog and it can handle only so much sass. So you thought you saw me on Wednesday? Well that proves that you didn't know my schedule this week. A good indicator that you are not someone I converse with normally. Here's what I can tell about you.
You're male. You have a desire to be right and like to indicate when others are wrong with such force, only a male could have. Plus the way you complimented me is another indicator of you masculinity.
You are familiar with nicknames of my family members, but that is easily deciphered from the blog.
You knew that Bruno always arrives late. That is a mystery on how you found that out. Whom have I told about that?

Hmmm... I think we should start playing 21 Questions. I'll go first and then you can ask me a question. Are you game?

Question #1: Do I know you from pre or post mission times?

Here is the video of me jumping off a bridge in Canadia this summer. The bungee technicians told me that I would get my fingertips in the water. My head started to hurt from having all the blood rush to my head. But it was the craziest thing I've done in my whole life. Enjoy!

I have not personally been affected by the massive fires in San Diego county, but I was able to volunteer my time and sort items such as books for kids, teens, adults and baby items like power, food and wipes. I went with TJ and we really had a good time. When were weren't volunteering, we got to listen to a Dave Matthews cover band featuring our good friend Kevin on the drums. They did awesome.
The atmosphere was great and people seemed really relaxed. They had lots of areas for kids to play and color and yoga going on as well. The sense of brotherhood is so strong there. And people are really looking out for each other. It was very calm. There are tons of people dropping stuff off and helping as much as they can. It was awesome to see everyone coming together.
When we found out the Govenator was having a press conference and we rushed straight over there. We got right behind him and multiple people say that they saw TJ. I have yet to be confirmed on screen, but I was wearing a bright blue shirt and I WAS RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM! How could I have NOT been seen.(Anonymous you're wrong)
So we made the appropriate concerned faces and clapped at the right time. I was very proud of my performance on TV. It wasn't my first time on the big screen, last time I had a speaking part, but it was good to get re-familiar with the camera. I liked seeing the pieces of tape on the ground telling people where to stand and all the security guards. The Govenator was rolling 10 deep at least with the Escalades and Suburbans.
After the conference the Govenator was shaking hands and almost shook mine. But then moved away. I was so close. TJ took pictures, so I will post those when they come available and will look for the show on Youtube and post it.
Anonymous-You didn't see me on tv because you described me erroneously. But you have given yourself away. I told few people about my television appearance and you knowing to look for me on tv eliminates so many people. No need to post further as anonymous, I know who you are.

This last weekend was the 3rd Annual La Jolla YSA Dodgeball tournament. I won the tournament last year and high hopes of a repeat, but to my dismay, there was none. We started off slow, but when we got our plan of attack together we did awesome. I only wish the tournament had been better organized and was double elimination and not single. Then I could have taken over the world of Dodgeball again. But it was tons of fun and we couldn't stop going, so we just kept playing. We were called the Heartbreakers because our t-shirts were of junk food or beer and The Flash was a difibulator to get us back in the game when we were down. Oh the good times that were had.

Dear Anonymous,
You think that you know the answer, but that is not the case. I actually started losing weight well before training for the marathon. Sorry to disappoint you, but you're wrong. I wish I could tell you all of my secrets, but until I know your true identity, you'll just have to keep guessing.

Hair of Gold

I am grateful for you comments that come across my little page of Julia. It brings a smile to my face knowing that you actually take the time out of your busy day to look at what adventures have come my way.
At times I think "Who is this Annonymous?" and "How do they know so much information about my life and family?" Then I make a round of phone calls to all the people I know that read my blog on a regular basis (Truth not being one of them)and ask if any of them are Annonymous.
But they're not.
They normally post comments under their own names.
Or so they say. How do you do it?
Remaining familiar with the intimate details of my life, but never revealing your true identity. That is some crazy magic trick.
Bruno said that you're probably not a single entity, but a group of multivarible beings.
I ask only one thing of you. Reveal your true identity and I will answer your question. I know that you are dying to know, so I leave the choice in your hands.

I honestly have to tell you, I get a little excited when you comment and I call Bruno and Truth to see if they have read my blog lately and if they posted anything. They are just as puzzled as I am. Bruno and I had a nice little conversation about you today. Wish you would've been there. Just send me your email and I will tell you what we talked about.
Sending out this letter might cause copycats to make annonymous blog comments, but it won't be the same. I await your resonse.

Hair of Gold

I thought it only appropriate to post some pictures of Quickhands and myself from the mission. These are on her blog and I am known as Switchback, so you can link to her blog and check out some of the fun stories we've had together. I love these picture because:
1)We are on P-Day at a Museum drinking little boxes of pear juice for lunch, sitting on a wall with our legs swinging like we were little kids
2)We are at the park for her birthday
3)We are missionarires in Rome
4)My hair is dark brown
5)Alma has the best boots ever

Some of my favorite memories of Quickhands from the mish are her peanut butter pies, running along the aquaducts, hymns on the harmonica, p-day gelato at Piazza Navona, pizza, christmas at the church, birthday parties in the park, 30 days solo Italiano and the deer noise, the sciopero and the 3 hour walk home when we went to buy a camera, Bruna the blind lady and getting sick in a house with no heat and water for 5 days. She was never my companion, but is my bosom buddy.

P.S. This was when I was dying my hair really dark brown. I dyed it as soon as a found out I was going to Rome-thought it would make me fit in more over there. Kept it up for a while, then one day it didn't work and I've been clean and sober since October 2004. 3 years this month. I don't think I'll dye my hair again unless I get grays for which I can thank Truth because it runs in her family.

Here's the actual picture from this weekend of Alma, Myself and Megs at Aunt Margaret's House. Then there's me eating snow. Can you tell I'm from California I didn't bring a jacket and I was freezing!
One thing I love is when people from different areas of your life come together and love each other and get along great. It just confirms your friendship and allows them to make new friends. That's what happened this weekend and I loved it!

This past weekend I drove to Utah for my mission reunion and it was so much fun. I went all the way with Randy and we dropped of TJ in St. George around 2 in the morning and then I took the wheel for the next 5 hours. We had the best conversation ever. We laughed, we cried, we laughed some more. I can't say enough wonderful things about Randy. He's a jem. We got to Alma and Mike's House at 7 and then I went to sleep and Alma ended up taking the day off of work and we hung out. We went to lunch in the best place in Springville, The Boxcar. Honestly the best salad I've had in a really long time and the service was very nice. Then that night we went to the mission reunion and we saw all the good peeps. Megs, Walsor, Brittney, Price, Whitney, The Rhiens, The Jensens, The Himes, Pearson, Cowley, Wiggins, and the list goes on.
One of the highlights of the evening was seeing the Spinelli Family, a family from Rome. Brother Spinelli whenever he would see Megs(my last comp) and myself would just grab his head with his hand and shake it back and forth saying "Sorelle Sorelle" He was always teasing us, he could dish and he could take it as well. Well, the first thing he sees when he walks in to the room is Megs and me and just starts shaking his head. It was classic Fratello Spinelli, honestly one of my favorite members in Rome. It was so good to see some of the members there. I was able to ask about some people and know how they are doing.
It was fun to see all the missionaries and see who they married or what they were doing now. I didn't ask one person if they were dating, I went straight for "What was your last trip?" That seemed to be a better conversational starter. I met a lot of people for the first time and it made me wonder when they said, "Oh, yeah, I've heard a lot about you." I wonder what they've heard, good or bad. I should've asked them. Most of them have been back to Italy and that makes me want to go more. I need to talk to my financial advisor and see if its in the budget for next year(Please)I really need to go back.
Then on Saturday we watched both sessions of Conference and stuffed envelopes for their big wedding day in less than a month. They are so perfect for each other, so creative, and compliment each other. I just love seeing that in couples. So much fun with them just hanging out and the 3 of us curling up to watch movies every night. I did get to see some really good movies this weekend. One thing I love about their house is the collection of classic Disney, Muppets and Fragile Rock. Amazing Mike!
We met up with Megs and drove to Aunt Margaret's House for the best pizza and cookies ever. She showed us her workout videos of the 60-yr old New Yorker who miscounts and says things like "thees is the eease paart" and "I can feal myelf gettin taaler" She even showed us how the exercises should be done. I touched snow for the first time in 3 years. The last time was on my mission. Margaret got to play with Alma's Iphone and was in heaven. We all decided that we love Aunt Margaret and one reason is that she has no inhibitions. She will make you pose for a picture no matter where you are and she will tell the funniest stories and we love her for that and more. Megs got to meet her on the mission in Rome.
I got to talk to Megs a little and give her the wedding quilt that I made for her a super long time ago. She's a classy gal and SUPER funny. So glad she was my companion. Sunday we watched the first session and listened to the other when we weren't listening to "Rich Dad Poor Dad" on cd. I brought 9 Books on cd for this trip. Maybe that was a little too much, because the conversation was all that we needed. It was a great trip and way too short. I can't wait to go back on November 1st and 10pm and leaving Sunday Novemer 4th at 515pm on JetBlue.

PS Here are some pics of Megs and myself in the Rome 2 area. My last area.

Every week there are certain things that I look forward to. Monday mornings I get an email from my brother, Monday Night BBall, Tuesday Volleyball, and Friday I get a nice little magazine in the mail. I became aware of this magazine last December. I was speaking on the phone with my dad and he was going to get me a magazine subscription to the magazine of my choice for Christmas. I thought of the usual health and news magazines, but none of them really sparked an interest. I wanted something that would cover more international and health news. Consulting with my father, he made a recommendation for the most wonderful magazine ever, The Economist. I love this magazine and every Friday I look forward to going out to the mail and picking up my latest edition. But 2 weeks ago it didnt' come. So I waited until Saturday and it still didn't come. Now I was worried. Had my subscription expired? Did the post office no longer forward my mail? I called my father very concerned and he assured me that it was still good until December, but then why didn't it come? I was honestly really upset, maybe a little too upset for a magazine. I went out to town this weekend and it would have been the perfect travel magazine. But when I got back there they were. The last 2 weeks of my magazine. I took them to school today and read all that I could. I love them. I love that it has new words in the it that I have to look up and talk about places of which I have never heard. I like that other people like it too and like my old copies. How I 've missed them, but now they are back. Ahhhh.

This week I busted out my favorite CD of all times. Whitney Houston's Greatest Hits Album. Its everything wonderful from the diva from early 80's to the remixes of all the remixes that make the ultimate mega mix dance party. I have such great memories singing my heart out to "I Will Always Love You," and a plethora of workouts to the fantabulous hits of "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" and "How Will I Know." Anyone who knows me from 1999-2001 time period can attest for my love for this lady. She was incredible. She's also a walking example of a great D.A.R.E. commercial when your brain is "on drugs." I can't believe she married that guy. But she's currently working with her former producer Clive on a new albumn. I can hardly wait for "All Things Whitney." (that's what I think it should be called)

That's what I'm full of these days. I consider myself normally a nice person, don't really cause much damage or harm to people. No murders committed here. But for some reason last week I was living in a parallel universe where all I did was harm and offend. Lets take a look at these examples, this isn't the whole list, but a few key examples of my meaness.
Apology #1.
It started off Monday night at BBALL when I glared at a guy who bumped me and was gaurding me with some full court press. On the court I dish it, so I should be able to take it. I felt bad, but didn't really recognize my error until my roommate told me he brought it up on their ride home. I spoke to him after church and asked for forgiveness for my glare and we laughed it off. He was on my team this week and it was great.
Apology #2
Friday morning when the same roommate came up to me EARLY in the morning full of useful advice about that night's movie night, I once again gave the evil eye that burns like a laser. But in my normal morning trance, not fully aware of my glare and after 3 hours of sleep I'm not at my best. After seeing the look on my face she said "I can see this isn't a good time to talk to you," and left. I later appologized to her and did try some of her advice for the movie. We laugh about it now and she threatens to visit teach me before 8am.
Apology#3
Then on Sunday I snubbed someone, just didn't say hi after he greeted me with some nice Sunday salutation. I was upset about some stuff and really a jerk on this one. I later had to call and apologize. I left a message(which wasn't my favorite option in discussing such matters) but just my luck, it was still the Jewish New Year and he could forgive me on such a blessed day.

In Sunday school we had a really good lesson about forgiveness and forgiving and I learned that it's ok to let people know that they have offended you and that we should talk about these matters. We all can learn from our mistakes and hopefully not make them again. I learned a great lesson and now implore all of you to talk to me if I have offended you and to let me know so that I don't do this again. I would really like some helpful hints too if you can think of some. I appreciate all your comments, questions and concerns. For some reason the song by Dispatch called "The General" keeps coming into my mind, it mentions forgiveness. Check it out.

P.S. After telling my dad this story, he is now sending me a book on tape called, "How to Make and Keep Friends." I hope it works.

As many of you know I am a lover of all things wheat. I have been in desperate need of wheat flour for some time now and luckily on Sunday, the Bishop came up to me and told me to bring my wheat over to his house. Well, we arranged for me give it to him during FHE and then I could pick it up on my home from BBALL. But he didn't show up, so I dropped it off at his house and saluted all of his visiting grandkids. Well, at 11 o'clock I pondered if it was too late to stop by his house. So I quietly knocked and about 2 minutes later his wife answers the door in her PJ's and lets me in. Little did I know that they were all asleep and there on the counter was my wheat flour. How sweet is that? I felt like a schmuck. But I just made my first loaf tonight and it's even better than the last time I made it. It's probably only 3 lbs instead of 4 lbs, which is even better than the starting 7lbs loaf. And there is nothing better than fresh made bread made with honey that I extracted from my bee hives in Stockton. I can't wait for my farm. I'm almost ready, I just need to learn how to make everything from scratch and how to wear skirts 24-7. Ithink next summer I'll do a pioneer voyage if possible.

This little blurp is about a very special friend of mine. He is so amazing and wonderful that words don't do him justice! I don't remember the exact day that we met, but I remember his first visit to my house. He came over and harassed my roommate the whole evening and when I took her to the airport the next morning, she was still mad. Now, that's talent.
I remember cutting out a pumpkin at FHE together, I stole all the markers from the other groups. He did such a great job cutting that we kept it at our house until it developed a moldy gelatinous layer.
I will never forget the movie nights at his house, the Sunday dinners followed by a plethora of Sunday appropriate games, DDR and Kareoke competetions, him dropping my Banana Sundae Cake, breaking anything in site. Who could forget his incredibly insightful comments at Celestial Marriage classes, the super hot Rugby shorts he wore on stage for all the ladies, the mustache with red highlights and the eyebrows with blonde highlights(I still don't know how he does that), his love for the 7 Habits, the Pepe Le Piu Mustache and leggings that were so fashion forward, Monday night BBall, our Dodgeball and Softball teams, his incredible vocal abilitites and knowledge of every chic-impowering song would make any girl hug him in appreciate for the empathy. He knows our struggles.
He's the perfect guy to go car shopping with because he loves hasseling the car dealers and isn't afraid to be rude. Ruthie loves when he takes me to the airport because somehow him driving me those 10 miles to the airport are the only ones she feels there is risk of an accident during my aeronautical voyage.(She thinks he's a safe driver)But he's always my number one call for a ride that way. He's the best date for attending a wedding because he's a great dancer(can't stop) and is a professional schmoozer.
I love his passion about organization, all things Spanish, sports and the UofU. And his hatred of BYU and Provo County shall never be questioned by this author.
I'm glad he forced me to go on a 12 hour camping trip and insisted on curling up underneath the stars having girlchat until 3 in the morning. I didn't bring a mattress and he let me use his. Ahhh, how sweet.
Who could forget the road trip to San Francisco where we almost died while Stephi-Steph drove and we counted over 100 tomato trucks. He made us all pay to go in the Japanese Tea Gardens and then was so annoyed with how boring it was, he told others not to go in. The scooter cars, one bed and 4 people, wakeboarding, running in bad shoes to get him a bathing suit for wakeboarding, but he's so worth it. I laugh evertime I think about his
The budget sessions that have saved me oodles of moneys and I already have cut my student loans down. He's a one in a million and my vote for America's Next Top Model.

This last letter from my brother on a mission in South Africa is so awesome just like him. I love that he writes me and sends me pictures every week. I do not like his spelling though. It makes my head hurt. I copied this week's letter, but next time I think I'll do a little show of some excerpts from his letters where the spelling will make you cry. Don't worry he goes to BYU. Here's the letter, he just started training:

well
we shall start with the new baby boy. 5'8'' and about 200 pounds and filled with nothing but the spirit of God. he is from pokey idaho and loves backed potatoes. i even got him to believe i lived in pokey for about half a day untill he metioned that we used to live in the same town to an investigator, so i had to tell him the truth. i pulled a nice prank on him. i told him to be carefull in this part of the township cause it was where the car got sotlen a few years back. and i pretended that we had to hurry into the house so that people would see the white guys go in. then as "i ran out to the car to get something." we had a member come in and rob the house of the dvd player and cell phones. i came in recording and it was funny. to me. he called me a dirty rat but now things a great. so i lossened him up a little and now we are on the same page. we have fun waking up ontime and doing everything to the T. (as i write that i shake my head). in all seriousness we are being obedient and being succesfull. let me tell you about the last few days of success.
Friday night. A wedding, and everyone loves weeding, we did it in the bishops office. it was jack and irene. whose surnames are both Rammala now. it was tight and sweet and two big rings were exchanged. and they kissed and made me want to get married.
sunday was a bit stressfull to me. usually things are nice but i had to do everthing cause of mr greenie. we had baptisms of the jack and irene and monde. it was straight awesome. i got to dunk all three. i know i shouldnt because i will leave soon but they didnt want to pick anyone else. and me being so humble and meek and submissive, did. so we had a great dunkning ceremony. one part was when bro nkosi(nkosi meaning lord or king in zolo), had the rapoo family stand up so people would recognize them and give them the front row seat to watch the baptism. i thinked they enjoyed the attention. and when we visited them that night things went great. the mom who held them back from baptism has sat in with us twice now so she is slowly coming along and not holding them back anymore. so when we teach something great and the spirit is ther we will wind it into a baptismal commitment. they are a big goal for us.
but back to the baptism. there testimonies rocked my world. Irene went first and was a little shy but still told us what she knew and how she flet. i think jack used to be in a happy clappy church because the first word out of his mouth was hallejaho. it was great and he is a very solem guy. but he gave an awesome testimony. he was a preacher in a previous church before so he spoke well but now it was of restored truth and straight spectacular. he told about the change in his life and then as he stood there he looked back to the bishopbrick and asked for a book of mormon. then he turned to moroni 8 and read about how after the cahnge/repentance comes baptism. it was the coolest thing ever. he had been taught by missionaries before but wasnt ready to change. its a good thing we found him two years later when he was ready. he too has stopped smoking and drinking. smoking was hard for him to stop but now he is clean. very very clean. he is so cool, i wish you guys could meet him.
then monde, when i was baptising monde, his hands were out of the water as i looked so i had to push him down further and he wasnt ready for that and came up looking a little flustered. but i didnt have to redo it. his baptism started in zolo and i was a little scared that i wouldnt understand any of it but then he spoke with the gift of toungues and i could understand. that or he swithched to english. but he told about the missionaries teaching him and gave elder steed and i thanks. then he told everyone how he was worried he was asking too many questions and that we wouldnt want to come back and teach him. but it was the opposite of course. he then went on for a little bit reciting the how joseph smith got te paltes and he knew all the dates. he was speaking very fast and was very accurate with everything he said and he went on for a while so people started to laugh a little bit thena lot a bit. but he expressed his love for these things. especially for the church and the people. most of all he told us how he was prepared for this church with the past churches he has been through. as he spoke i thought of the first time teaching him how i had zero faith taht it would go anywhere because he was so quite as we taught and then he looked a little blury.

peter gave a talk in sacrament meeting. he spoke on the savior being our savior and used some great scriptures,my fav was the one about "here i am, send me." he also retold the story that the "late president Faust" gave in last years conference.there was no better feeling then to see a convert just baptized 2-3 weeks ago give a talk in sac meeting. i was so close to all out crying the whole talk. it was just to cool. ther is nothing like it. thats the reason im a missionary, not to baptize but to get that toi happen to people.
i have to go before email time is out
i love you all and thank you for the prayers they are needed, next time will be about some new awesome investigaors at the church. reading praying and coming to church
elder hall-e-boy

This little schpeel is about a certain lady in my life who is so amazing and whom I've known for a really really really ridiculously long time. I cannot remember the day that we first met but Truth tells me you pushed me off the swimming block to swim my race and lost. We were 7 at the time. But I do remember meeting up with you again at JV volleyball at Lincoln High my freshman year. You were an older and cooler Sophmore and I loved your sassines right off the bat. I still have the picture of us pondering the basketball for team pictures, both of us in braces and severely in need of some makeup.
But that was who were then. You were E$ and I was Jules. I can't forget the late nights on bus rides home from games, the student council days when we ruled the school, or at least publicized the events that for which others were responsible. The saturday morning aerobics classes with the squaty lady who kicked our trash and my gym boyfried.
Then the junior college days of Delta and the crazy times of Medusa hair, The Wall Dance, Tracy Hoes, Parties in Lindon, Beth's Trailor, the insane pager lingo, the Old Navy team, boating in the Delta, the night I spun my car 3 times in 4 lanes of traffic on I-5 and didn't cry until you asked if I was alright, thursday night volleyball at the church, fake tattoos, the trip to San Fran with Truth and the Cooking Show that someone decided to throw a Cosco bag of chocolate chips all over on the floor. I wonder who?
How could I ever forget my memorable trip to Utah where I doused you in gasoline and we laughed until you realized that it was burning your skin. My lemon colored hair that the nice people at Bon Losee decided to give me after 5 hours of bleaching, then driving 10 hours to Stockton, crying the whole time. I wasn't mad at you. Remember when Truth bought me a ticket to Salt Lake City when the roads were snowed in? I told you I was coming, but it took a little creativity to make it happen. Midnight Train to Georgia Kareoke for Christmas, that was fun.
Your trip to San Diego and my birthday party. Did homeboy really wear that shirt to my party? The beach, my Graduation, Whitney Houston and Madonna's Greatest Hits, the dolphin in a rain puddle, and so much more.
You have always been there for me and you make me laugh like no one else can. I love all of our past and cant wait for Mr. Boots, Skittles, Whiskers, Fluffy and the house. It will be such good times. Thanks for for giving the confidence to let my sassiness show.

I love driving fast. I think it's some gene that was passed on from my father to all of his children because we all drive super fast and we all love it. It could also be that we all drove BMWs as our first cars and those cars can go, even if they are 20 years old. And we are all so good at speeding too. I know that the gene came from Kim because if I had received a gene from Ruthie it would be the "grab the handlebar with one hand, pound your other fist on the dashboard while yelling BREAKING!!!" while in the passenger seat. I didn't receive that gene, but I love getting Ruthie to do that. It's almost as good as telling her that I'm not going on a mission because I'm unworthy. Almost...
Almost to the point of ridiculousness. I have even received specialized instruction on how to not get a ticket after being pulled over by my father who has attended a plethora of traffic school courses and I am a first hand witness that said method works.
Sure I could tell you about Stephy Steph going 125 mph in LA one sunday morning on her way to a cousin's homecoming and getting her license revoked, but this isn't her blog. It's mine so you'll get to her my fun story with speeding.
So I'm driving to school in the afternoon cruising down not going more than 85. I'm tailgating a red BMW who doesn't think that this would indicate that I would like for him to move over so I can drive off, but he sticks it out. 2 lanes to the right of me is a Black Viper, driven by 2 young handsome lads doing the speed limit. Now when I saw them I thought immediately, "If I had that car I would never go the speed limit." But then I realized in my current car, Campbell I never do go the speed limit so I don't ever need to buy a sports car. Now Campbell is named after the soup company because I'm told my car is so small its a soup can and I'm totally ok with that. The VW Golf is a find German automobile. Back to the story.
The 2 hot guys see me and start going faster, well little did I know, but there is a highway patrol man sitting on the left side of the freeway and the BMW zooms right by him with me right behind, then the Viper. Sure thing the lights and sirens go on and honestly I almsot pee-ed my pants. Seriously my bladder did loosen when I heard that siren and never in my whole life have I been closer to peeing my pants. So we all start moving over, BMW, Viper and myself and merge into normal traffic and we all think that he got us. We are driving along ridiculously slow(65 mph) and the patrolman passes the viper shockingly, (if I were a patrolman I would always take down the sports car).
Then the patrol guy comes along side of me and as I turn to see if he wants me to move over, he keeps going and gets right behind the BMW and pulls him over. The Viper and I continue on our way, and then after a while the Viper pulls up along side of me and both of the guys wave and making gestures indicating that I was "that close to getting a ticket" and we all laugh and then they speed by me.
So what did I learn from this. 1) Never buy a nice car, police will just pull you over 2) If you speed, tailgate, so the other guy gets a ticket 3) You never know where you will make speeding friends. 4) I still enjoy speeding and this did not hinder my desire to speed 5)I will always go to the bathroom before driving.

So, by the title of my entry I know all the boys are rolling their eyes and the lovely ladies are shouting "AMEN to that Sista!" But this week I honestly have had some really good experiences with the dating field and plus Erin has been kind enough to share some of her experiences with me as well. So with our two powers combined, we have the most awesome stories. My best example came thursday night. My sister Stephy Steph, B.I.L (Brother in Law) Jeremey, Judd and I played our weekly tennis match and of course Judd and I won, but that's not the point of the post.
After we played, I was looking good with all my sweat, metallic hair clip strategically holding my hair out of my face and pajamas, but at 1130 at Kinko's one does not think about looking good. But honestly, I looked like crap. I needed to copy textbooks in order to sell them back to the over-priced bookstore and stick one to the man.
While I was copying away, mentally noting that there are some CRAZY people in Kinko's at that time of night, one of the workers came over and used the machine next to me. We start talking, chatting about San Diego, he just moved here from New York, wanted to know what fun things there were to do around here, didn't know anyone, wanted to volunteer at the VA because he wants to go to med school, blah blah blah.
Sidenote: Stating that one is going to go to med school to a random person is not all the attractive to me. I know people who do that, and it honestly doesn't make you anymore attractive, but it does make you look like an idiot when you don't end up going. Back to the story, I leave around 1 in the manana and end up giving the guy my number, because, well, why not and he says that he'll call me the next day to get some info and wants to do something. 3 days later, no call, but I really didn't think he would anyways. I wonder if there is some game the nightshift workers at Kinko's are playing to see how many phone numbers they can get. I hope the other guy is winning because he seemed nice, but the diamond stud in his ear was smaller than the New Yorker's.
It felt good for someone to ask for my number and they always say thay you never know where you will meet the special someone, but I've honestly lost hope that it will be the old fashioned way. That he'll get the number, call you up, have some awkward silence, ask you out, and if you have a good time, you'll do it again without thinking of what your kids will look like.
My co-worker Lori said she would pay for me to go on eHarmony.com and I remembered that my best friend growing up is now engaged to a man she met there, so it acutally looked tempting. I just need someone else to write my little blurp so that it would be unbiased and I am well on my way to having some computer love. I love that I am writing this and venting becuase I know that the only boy who will read this is TJ and he'll understand where I'm coming from and I won't ruin my chances with anyone else.

I would like to formally state that the purpose of this blog is awareness not action. I will discuss later what you should all be aware of and not acting upon at a later date and time.
Also, I tried to make my wheat bread recipe with white flour and it tasted like fruity mold, so someone please help a sista out and get my wheat a grindin! Once again that is not a pick up line.

Thank you for you help

So I tried making some more wheat bread this week and honestly it is the best one I have made yet. And unlike the other loaves that I have made, this loaf was felt only like 4 lbs. The others felt more like 7 and if thrown through a window, it would definitely do some damage. But this one was fluffy and not so "hearty" as one roommate pointed out. Thanks Pamcakes. But my quest for the best wheat bread ever has been temporarily halted due to the fact that I am all out of wheat flour. So I need to get on that. We'll see how that works out now that I am in school. But I will try my best to do the best I can in my quest and gladly accept offers to grind my wheat. That sounds like some sort of pick-up line, but it's not.

More pics from Canadia

Yeah, I spelled it wrong and Canadians hate that joke I make. I had the wonderful opportunity to go to Victoria on the Vancover Island with Bruno. His company paid for me to come join him after my final in stats, and true to my theory, when I have a vacation around my final or test I do much better and I did awesome on that final. Then I spent the next 9 hours traveling to Victoria and reading Harry Pothead. We stayed that the best hotel, the Empress by Fairmont. Built in 1904 and so nice and right on the water where there was a dragonboating competition the whole weekend!!! Friday Bruno had meetings so I went to Buchart Garden and took a exorburant amount of photos with my new wand. It's called a Quickpod and it allows you to take a better picture of yourself so your arm isn't in the photo. All the tourists loved it and wanted to know where to get one.
We also went to the BC Museum and saw a great exhibit on the Titanic. There were so many things that went wrong and I learned a lot like before they wrote SOS it was CQD which meant Come Quick Disaster and that the closest boat to the Titanic didn't respond or come to help them. And the life vest were made of cork, so everyone floated, but died of hypothermia.
We also went to Cosco to see if it was any different. It's the same, but more European. We tried some fries with gravy and cheese curdles and they were yummy. Then we went to a nice dinner at the hotel for the work people and had salmon and steak and sat next to some Mormons. How funny was that? Then we took a nice walk on the bay and saw the Parlament building with all the Christmas lights.
Saturday we went whale watching and saw a huge humpback whale come right up next to the boad and swim right by us. My outfit of choice was a bright orange jumpsuit with stuffed arms and legs that kept me warm with customized lettering that read, "Prince of Whales." Needless to say, I looked good and after 3 hours on the water, my hair was incredible. Then for the best part of the trip we drove up the coast and I went bungy jumping. It was so awesome. The bridge was 140 feet up above a river and I told the workers I wanted to touch the water with my fingertips and I went about waist deep. But looking down was the scariest thing ever and I walked over to the edge quickly so I wouldn't talk myself out of it. When they counted down and said "Bungy" I did a beautiful swan dive. Well, not so beautiful, but it was fun and scary at the same time. It was really crazy and I can't believe I did it. But I will try to post the video so you all can enjoy. I had no idea I was going bungy jumping that day when I got dressed, so the white pants and nice sweater did the best they could.
That night we went to see Spiderman 3 and WOW that was a snooze fest. About an hour into the film I mention this to Bruno and he said he already paid so I was going to stay for the whole thing, but I don't ever need to see that again. Sunday we went to the "castle" yeah, its some rich guys house and not worth the 12$ to get in, we didn't go in and just took a picture. The we saw an IMAX film about Safaris in South Africa. I'm just getting ready for my own safari and needed to do some research. Can't wait for that trip:) Then we headed home where I finished Harry Pothead and read almost every moment on the way home. It was a really fun trip and BC is so beautiul this time of year. The rain didn' really bother me and running in the mornings was so much fun, espcially with my new wand. Love to take pics of myself. Well here are some the photos

I got my test back that I took the Monday after my vaca and Holy Cow Batman! I did awesome. This only proves my theory that I do really well on test where I have traveled the weekend before. Not only did I do well, I did the best. (I have to brag about these moments because they are few and far between.) Yeah, I rocked that test and it didn't ever see it coming. I have already been offered the opportunity to travel next week to Vancover in preparation for my final, but I don't the finances will allow it. But to all my faithful readers, I do have finals in December and May, so let me know of any vacations that I should check out.
Speaking of finances, I recently had a scare about student loans and my good friend TJ offered his consultation services upon which I did partake. So last night we started the wondeful process to empower me and my money. I haven't been proactive with my money and now that I will have to take out more student loans, I figured it would be great to get the most of it while I can. So we will be working on my budget and getting me out of stupid debt. I already feel so much better about the future. It's so fabulous and I just have to give a shout out to TJ who is an awesome friend. He's pretty amazing and his mom thinks he's handsome.

Last weekend some friends of mine convinced me that the perfect way to study for a test was a road trip, so after I made my best effort to resist the devils, I finaly succumbed to the peer pressure. Lisa G had a cheap hotel in SF if she attended a conference where they try to sell her time shares, so I figured why not? We left Thursday night and headed to the Garcia's of Rancho, because every good trip needs some huevos rancheros to get the party started. Plus I was finally able to watch an episode of Sherlock Holmes and fall asleep like Lisa does when she goes home. It's elementary my dear Watson! The next day we cruised on up to Stockton where Ruthie was anxiously awaiting our arrival for the best walk on the delta ever. Ruthie and I normally run that route, so it seems so much shorter than that. But it was long and the magnetic pointer I brought could only bring us so much distraction. We called some good family friends to see if they wanted to take us out on their boat and in the middle of the walk TJ and I ran the rest in the worst shoes ever so that we could get him a swim suit. My heels were all bloody, but the boat riding was well worth my loss of blood.
Judd has never been boating so we tried to get him up on a board, but to our dismay he could not point his toes that well=couldn't get up. I just don't understand. I got in some good jumps with crazy mad air, like so high you can't believe. The real fun was the tubing. We got TJ, Judd and myself on a tube and Dave Bird took us for a ride. We ploted to get Judd thrown off and it worked like a charm. He didn't stand a chance. We had a great BBQ dinner that Ruthie won't stop talking about to this day on how good the potatoes and grilled peaches were. Good times in the 209!!
The next day we went to San Francisco and rented scootcars to drive around town. Wearing a helmet and seatbelt didn't make feel any safer in those deathtraps. At one point I realized I could brake better by sticking my foot out of the car, then by using the brake(which took about 10 seconds to catch and slow down the car.) The best part was Judd using his white skin to scare off the other drivers of real cars so that they wouldn't come to close to our bumper car. You might think that the big white spot is the light from the flash. It's not.
Our hotel was the best thing. We asked for 2 beds and when we got to the room, its a corner room and I remember saying, "Oh good, it's a corner room. Corner rooms are always bigger." Nope, they're not and infact they have one less bed than you thought. So we had one bed. Sleeping spots were tight that night. I did enjoy taking a shower and seeing the trolley cars go by. The next morning TJ and I had to meet up with Steph and Jer to get a ride back to San Diego, so we at breakfast on the 8th floor of the Macy's in Union Square at the Cheesecake factory. So yummy delicious. BART was a real treat and the ride home was full of fun conversation and life threating moments thanks to Steph's driving.
So the question you might be thinking is "Did Julia study?" I infact did and I felt good about the test. We will find out tomorrow if I did well. If I do, then it is the 2nd time I went on a trip before a test. Last time I went to Costa Rica the week before finals and rocked them. If it works out again, I wonder where I will go next time???

I am so excited about this weekend. My good mission friend and my initial contact with the blogging world is coming down for our 2nd annual Pioneer Weekend Vaca. I can hardly wait. Last time we barely crossed the border, but this time we are going to Puerto Nuevo for some Mexican style lobster and some fun times a plenty. She's bringing down the boy, so I get to decide if I approve or not. I need to do math all night so that I can party it up this weekend. Oh, the good times are coming.

My first day of math class was great. As you could tell the teacher and I hit it off fantabulously and it's smooth sailing ever since. I needed to crash a stats class for grad school and this was the only one left, so I signed up for the waitclass and before class starts the teacher informs everyone that there is no room to add and no exceptions. So I think I can explain to him why I am different and why I needed this more class than everyone else. He shuts me down. Shuts me down in from of everyone in class and assumes that I will leave. But I don't and I take a seat and while he is taking roll he stats my name and he sees me and states," You are still here. Alright you win, you're in. Everyone should thank Julia Hall for being obstinate." I couldn't help but smile. I thought he would be a little mad or felt like his authority was in jeopardy and I realized today that he does. Because he called me John Hall. I can tell this is going to be a great class and I love stats already.

Just wanted to add that I turned in my car early in Kentucky and they were going to add 40$ more instead of taking that away. But because I was obstinate and called 3 different people, waited them out and emailed, they subtracted the additional charges AND 40$ more for the day that I didn't use it. So I guess I am obstinate sometimes.

This year was the longest birthday I will ever have. I started the party in Louiville, then stopped in Pheonix and ended it all in San Diego. I was on my way home from Kentucky and I didn't remember that it was my birthday until 930. I got up at 215 Pacific Standard Time and was up for 24 hours. I only slept for 2 hours on my birthday and it was well worth it. Jet lagged Julia was on a mission to have the best birthday ever. I was picked up in the SD by TJ, Judd and Brannen and they were nice enough to buy my lunch at Phil's BBQ and without me knowing they told the workers that it was my birthday and so they came and sang to me. I was shocked because I had no idea and the one lady kept hitting a tamborine close to my ear. But the food and company were awesome. We continued the festivities at the swap meet so they could buy bonzai trees so they improve their biosphere/natural habitat.
I headed home to rest and unpack and then we went to a wedding where 160 of my closest friends joined us for a reception at the Marriott on Coronado Island. We had a nice dinner and danced the night away. I came up with some amazing moves that impressed all the boys. But the party didn't end there, we watched a movie and I felt inspired to write about my life growing up on the rough streets of Stockton after watching Freedom Writers. Then I watched another movie at my house. It was the longest birthday ever! I felt like the newest celebutaunt partying all over the world. But the party didn't end. The next we had a nice dinner and dessert party at Lisa G's house and then it ended. No, not really. On Monday Lori made Banana Sundae Cake. Then it ended. That is when the party ended. Whew, I'm tired just writing about it.

I had a great time in Kentucky and the trip was so awesome. I stayed with one of my mission companion's sister and family in Lexington and that was so nice of them. I got in last tuesday night after an amazing 5 hour delay in the Chi-town because of the crazy storms. But when I stopped off the plane and felt that humidity it was like a warm embrace welcoming me home. Wednesday morning I walked around the campus and talked to the people at my program. Very nice and I love love LOVE the accent and picked it up quickly. So I think I already wrote about this on the blog so we will skip to Friday. I went to Louisville and had a fantabulous day all by myself. There is something to say about going on vacation on yourself. I honestly have never made so many phone calls in my whole life. I had no one else to comment on how fun everything was so I just called them.
When I went to the Horse Park and saw the tomb of Man o' War, the greatest race horse ever winning 20 of the 21 races he started I thought of my friend Lisa and when I was watching the horse jumping she texted me, so I had to call her back. I saw 90 of the 140 breeds in the US and saw the large draft horses that are used on farms and when I saw the Tennessee Walker I thought of my grandparents Hall.
When I was in the Louisville Slugger Museum I thought of TJ and Judd especially when I ordered my custom made bat. Outside is a huge 250 foot tall bat, but mine is better. They have over 11,000 types of bats for the pros to choose from and the bats are made from white ash or maple.
Then I went and saw the Muhammad Ali museum and watched a couple of his fights and realized that I don't really like boxing and that guy had some funny poems. I think I just like the fact that he could entertain. He also divorced his first wife because she wouldn't convert to Islam. Nice.
I walked alomg the Ohio river along the first Main Street in the West, according to my friend at the Visitor's Center. She also gave me a fan that said, "I'm a fan of Louisville." I kept it and acutally used it.
I stopped by Thomas Edison's house and learned what that saying, "Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite," came from. The straw mattresses were made of straw that bugs loved and they were held up by ropes that needed to be tight so you didn't fall to the ground. I got a personal tour of the house he lived at when he was 19 and was fired from his job at the telegraph company for bringing chemical to the office and ruining his boss' furniture when one went bad. I learned he made the first motion picture and some other stuff I can't remember. I wrote it in my journal. It was fun, but the guy kept talking and I could tell that he wanted me to stay because no one goes there and he was bored.
Louisville was a nice town, but I was ready to leave and go home. And that is exactly what I did. But now I just need to decide what to do.

Alright the more time that I spend here, the more that I love it. Today I went and checked out a ton of appartments. The best one I found was $415 for a single bedroom 7 minutes walking from my school. NICE!!!! I also went to the Kennedy bookstore to get some cheap UK gear. I love them sales and I love speaking with a southern accent. Yeah, for some reason it just comes out of nowhere, but fits so perfectly. Guess all that time in Georgia as a child really stuck to me. But the best has been driving around town and knowing where I am going and all the major streets. I already feel comfortable driving around town. The college is huge and everyone, I mean everyone, wears UK gear. I have never seen so much blue in my life.
I went to Mary Todd Lincoln's home to learn about that first lady and her life of wealth unlike the Pres. Her family didn't really like him because he wasn't connected or educated, little did they know. They used to put candles next to mirrors to have more light. Smart folk.
I also went to the Kentucky Horse Farm where there are over 90 of the 140 breeds of horses shown. I also saw the greatest thouroughbred horse of the 20th century named Cigar. He was in the Hall of Champions with a few other retired race horses. I will post pictures when I get back to the CA. I also saw some Belgian Draft horses, the largest horse there. I also got to see some horse jumping competitions and some mini horses. I saw horses from Spain, France, Russia, some other country that ends with "stan" and China. The really are beautiful and the whole time I was there I thought, "If only Lisa Garcia was here to see this." Then she texted me, so we talked.
I loved just driving throught ht country side. The rolling green hill with white fences is so beautiful. So green and the humidity isn't bad at all. The sunset here is amazing with the sky turning pink and orange and at 930 it's still pretty light outside. It's my favorite time of day.
I went to Institute and the director was awesome and everyone was really nice. I met a boy who served in the same mission as Philip my brother and in the same district as him. So that was really fun and I met a boy who just returned home from a mission in San Diego. What a small crazy world! So I still have to decide whether or not I move here, and I hate that I have to decide right now basically. Well, I should go to bed. Tomorrow its off to the Ville and to see some baseball and boxing fun. Signing off from Appalachia.

After the best delayed flight in Chicago, I finally arrived in Appalachia Wednesday morning at 123. Well, I arrived in Louisville or the Ville, as the locals call it, an hour earlier and then drove in my Hundai elantra to Lexington. It was so green and I was so excited to be there. After my nocturnal feast I awoke and headed to the campus. I loved it as soon as I saw it. The institute is close by and right by the stadium, so when I got to all those football games I know where to park.
The campus is beautiful with all the brick buildings and rolling green hills. It's really beautiful. The humidity isn't bad at all and I went for a nice run tonight in the housing development of mansions. The houses are huge and brick. I am staying with a mission companion's sister and family and they have been wonderful. Helping with directions and giving me suggestions. Plus a nice place to stay for free. I talked with some professors and administration people here and they are all you could dream of with southern accents and all. I can do international practicums and continue to the PhD program if I want too. Plus most of the classes are are 3 or 6 pm. Love it. I just love it.
Its all so new and exciting. I checked out one place to live and will check out 2 more tomorrow right by campus so I could walk to school in less than 10 minutes. I have to buy some UK gear tomorrow and check out housing and then I will visit a historical place or 2. Something with horses. Friday I am going to the Ville, to the Slugger Museum and factory and the Muhammad Ali museum and to try some good southern cooking. So I made a pro and con list tonight of SDSU and UK and it's really tough to decide. I still have to think about a lot of stuff. But I will let you all know ASAP. Peace out from Appalachia.

On my way to my Appalachian Adventure I met for the first time in my life another Julia Hall. Crazy to think, but it's true. As I was waiting to board the plane, they called my name overhead and as I was walking up to the kiosk another lady was walking straight towards it as well. I get there and say, "My name is Julia Hall." and so does the lady. Crazy!!!! Then she told me how she knew that I would be on that plane and had hoped she would meet me. She told me how when she had gone to buy the ticket online, they wouldn't let her because I had already bought the ticket and it was a big hassle. We laughed about it and then disscussed what we did. Here are a few crazy similiarities of the Julia Halls
1. I work at the VA in SD. She used to work at the VA in SD.
2. I work for a research study. She audits reseach studies. That's why she was on her way to the Chi-town.
3. I have good skin. She has good skin.
4. I like to travel on planes. She likes to travel on planes.

There are so many similiarities I could continue this list forever. But we parted ways and I boarded the plane and she waited for the next flight. Well, they say you can see into the future, and I have. I look good.

In my time off from school(all 3 weeks now) I have been crazy busy with my friends, family and most time consuming quilting. How I love to quilt, let me count thy ways:
1) I love the touch of fabric. Many a good time have been spent in fabric stores just running up and down the aisle, arms out, feeling the fabrics.
2) Rosie's Quilt Corner is my favorite quilt store ever. I love how big it is, seeing all the fabrics organized by color and designer and most of all the newest trends in quilting
3) I love fat quarters. To those who don't quilt, it's a quarter of a yard and it is pure heaven to me. I can buy a plethera of fat quarters for $1.50 and make beautiful quilts.
4) Piecing all the fabics together is fun for me and takes my mind to QUILTLAND, a magical place where decisions can not be made and there is no bedtime ever, but watchout sometimes the evil fairies make you sleepy and mess up late at night.
BEWARE!!!!
5) Going back to a fabric store with an unfinnished quilt is autamatically an invite for all workers to look at your quilt and ask questions. LOVE IT!!!!!! I feel really tight with my girl Judy at Beverly's. She loves my quilts.
6) I love when Ruthie finishes my quilts. Which hasn't happened in a while, but she used to do all the crappy end parts. Now that I live far away from her I have to do it and I am getting better about the corners, but she is still the best.
7) The joy a quilt brings. I love to give quilts away, because I think it is such a nice gift to give someone that you really love and appreciate. Homemade stuff is always better and has more thought put into it. I would rather have a homemade gift with thought than the most expensive gift ever.
8) Quilts are warm. I like being warm.
9) Quilts are creative art. So many fabrics and colors to choose from, it helps me express my inner creative freak.
10) Quilting brings families together. Many a night I have spent quilting with my mom, sister, aunts and cousins and have wonderful memories that will last longer than those quilts I made.