One Day!

From a very early age I have been plotting and saving random things that "I will use one day when I have my own house". Well Ladies and Gentlemen that "One day" has arrived!!!
My new house...Me and all my possessions...
The bestest family a girl could ask for...The bestest friends a girl could ask for...
It was all very exciting and I am very thankful to everyone who helped me. But after all is said and done I am now left a lone girl, broke and in West Valley. Please come visit!!!

Adventures in Real Estate

For the past few months I have been riding the real estate roller-coaster. Which actually turned out to be a pretty smooth ride despite my apprehensions. I'm not sure where I got the notion that I should purchase some property but it just seemed like the thing to do. With my 30th birthday quickly approaching I figured it was time to take on some grown-up responsibilities (lame). I called up my cousin Derek and we compiled a list of houses to look out. I decided that I wanted a 3 bedroom town house (no yard work) and a 2 car garage. Those were my stipulations. Well the first house we looked at was in West Valley right off the 201 (Redwood and 2300 S). As soon as we exited the freeway Derek said "I can tell already this isn't going to be a place you will like.) Well we found the neighborhood (which was gated and about 3 years old) and Derek said "Oh, maybe not". After looking at several other places I found myself liking that first place more and more. Well, I put in several offers on that house but the sellers were not willing to negotiate and it was a bit above my price comfort. After a month or so I decided to give up and postpone house hunting. Well the very next day I got an email notifying me that a different house in that same neighborhood was now for sale. This house was not only bigger and nicer but it was priced at my exact price comfort. I knew I had to move quickly and one month later I moved in!!!
Here is the man who made it possible.... DERRREK!!!Derek is a long time fan of the blog and I promised him his own honorable blog mention.
Derek is the BEST real estate agent I've ever had!!! Honestly, it was so nice to have someone I trust to help me out with such a big purchase. I had way more panic attacks buying a car! It was nice to know that Derek always had my back. Thank Gracias!

Me. Moments before handing over my life savings. Sad day...

"Did I Ever Tell You, You're My Heeerooo!"

This girl is "everything I want to be..."

Okay, but seriously, I started taking guitar lessons back in September which I know is barely 9 months but THIS is my goal. Now some people may say that it is a "far-fetched" goal but anything can happen... right? I am told that it takes practicing something for 10,000 hours to become an expert. I guess I have some practicing to do!!!

The Boy I Want to Marry...

Recently another class at my school did a writing project called "The Boy/Girl I Want to Marry". My class has throughly enjoyed reading these papers that are hanging in the hall. So today we decided to do a similar writing assignment of our own. It was funny to read some of the qualifications of these second graders.

Like Caelan who said: "The girl I want to marry has to be cute and like puppies. And be nice to me. She should want kids. She should like the names Bella and Christian. She should be rich and she should like cats. She should like birds. She should like my band. She needs to like red, blue, pink, brown and kids."

Please! His band?

Or Tavish who said: "Someone who wants a Ferrari. Someone who can afford college. Someone who wants a big house."

A Ferrari? Where do these kids learn these things?

I think I most relate to Maren who said: "I want a boy who has a gold blonde hair. Who’s strong. Likes music, dancing, shopping and cooking. Who makes it so I don’t have to do a thing. Who likes kids. Who likes animals. Who likes books. Who likes parks. Who likes biking. Who likes hiking. And that’s who I want to marry."

Emphasis on the bolded portion. Now that's smart thinking.

Ukulele Hero

Clark and I recently stumbled upon the most amazing YouTube find...
Her name is Julia Nunes and she plays a mean Uke (as well as a few other interesting instruments: melodica, pillow, tissue box, etc.) Watch these two videos and you too will be an instant fan.


Here is another fav...

Check out some of her other videos on youtube for an entire evening of entertainment and distraction. Mandy and I did!

"Oh Mandy"

TODAY IS MANDY'S BIRTHDAY!!!

In honor of the event I would like to pay tribute to Mandy by posting "memorable Mandy quotes through the years". I have known Mandy now for 15-ish years and for those of you who have also had the pleasure know that her humor is one of her best qualities, along with her hair and her....... (well she can tell you the other one).

A couple of weeks ago we were talking about some of the many funny things she has said through the years. Lesli reminded us that "apparently" when she first moved in Mandy and I would always talk about who was funnier, me or her, obviously there is no need for comparison as this is Mandy's special day. So here it is (in no particular order)...

#1
Amber: Who would you want to be your personal slave and why?
Mandy: Britney Spears.
Amber: no. Really?
Mandy: Well, she is a (sings) "slave for me".

#2
Audience: sobbing after viewing the Testaments for the first time.
Mandy: Please. The book was so much better.

#3
“I love alliteration. I’m a slave to it.”

#4
“Do you know why I love the Olympic? One word. Speedos”

#5
“Do you know what would be the best job ever? Princess.”

#6
During a movie in a dark theater Mandy drops some popcorn, it lands on her chest. She turns to Travis (?)...
"Travis, do you want some popcorn?"

#7
After watching Heroes with Tom (last week)
Mandy:"Tom, you can tell me the truth. Wasn't Mohindy especially hot tonight?"
Tom: no comment

Unfortunately this blog post cannot do justice to Mandy's hilarity. Please feel free to add your comments.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MANDY!

It's the Master!

It finally happened. After two long painful years and many tears (intentional rhyme) I finally graduated with my Master's degree. Here are a few fotos of the momentous occasion...
To celebrate we had a killer party at my mom's house. The traditional cutting of the graduation cake got a little out of hand. Mona!
No graduation would be complete without a graduation song. Jordan and Sandor wrote me a special song. It was spectacular.