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.

The Graduation Song

By popular request I give you the lyrical genius of Norn and the musical stylings of Sandy. I have appropriately named their new band "ZORN". It is a combo of their names and apparently it means "wrath, anger" in German. Ha!

Lyrics:
Her name is Alina she's a very smart girl.
If you compete with her she will throw you in a whirl.
At the age 16 she attend Bingham High.
Her teachers loved her and thought she was fly.

Chorus: She's the coolest in her class with a lot of style.
She makes sure your time is worth while.
She did all her homework and yet she is cool.
She studied really hard and did well in school

She attended Snow College and had tons of fun.
Yet she was still able to get her work done.
She went to BYU and became a cougar.
Nothing could top her or even get through her.

Today was a special day. She walked in a line.
I saw her and she looked so fine.
Now she's a master and well on her way.
She doesn't have to listen to anything you say!

Drama Queen!

OMG! Can you believe this girl?! She is soooo drama!

So, I'm just chillin' here with Tom's sexy ladies and this dude shows up like, what is he doin' here! Like OMG! Who do you think you are? I mean...who is this chinkeeyes among white people and 1/2 mexican girl. Gosh, he is sooo cute. I love the way he dresses and love seeing him in those Jeans! And his jacket with the fur! Makes me weak in the knees...I mean, even my toes are hurting.

Not to mention my foot almost got ran over tonight...who IS this driver...I mean who taught her how to drive? I'm never riding with her again. And these girls totally cheated at spoons tonight...who keeps scooting their tushies closer to those spoons? And this one girl..OMG...she kept grabbing all the spoons in one reach...I mean there are other players, PLEASE! Then she thought she was WAY kool and did Michael Jackson's toe pose with converse on. C'mon, get the real shoes, WOMAN!

I totally pigged out at Winger's tonight. Ohhh, those chicken wiiiinnggs....mmmm....so delicious. I'm drooling just thinking about 'em. Can you see me drooling...I mean I thought I'm a sophisticated woman with class, right? I mean, just look at me!

So, do you think I'm a drama queen or what? I don't think I am at all. So don't answer that question.

"Hello! It was his 50th birthday!"

(Name that movie.)

So a couple weeks ago I awoke to the startling sound of my cellular. I answered the phone and heard an unfamiliar voice say "Alina?" me- "yes?" unfamiliar voice- "This is your Aunt Lupe." me- "Oh hi." (meanwhile my brain is thinking "My Aunt Lupe? Why is she calling me? She hates me. Someone must have died.") Aunt Lupe- "Sylvia wants to know if you are coming to your dad's 50th birthday party and why haven't you answered her emails." me- "Sure! What party? What emails?"
Here is Aunt Lupe...Doesn't she look pleasant? Actually this trip wasn't that bad and she did take a keen interest in me, meaning that she insisted multiple times that my hair is too dark and I should dye it blonde, BLONDE! This means she cares! Ahhh.

To make a long story short... Sylvia (my dad's wife) decided to throw my dad a surprise party for his 50th birthday and to add to the surprise she had me fly down to California. The party was at Sylvia's parents house so on Saturday we all gathered there to wait for the birthday boy. Then Sylvia called him with some story about her mother's toilet breaking and that she needed him to come fix it asap. As soon as he showed up she had me open the door. It took him a few seconds to register (he is 50 after all) then boy was he surprised to see me. Overall it was a kickin' good party.

Me and my grandma with the Birthday Boy...
Me enjoying some birthday cake (my dad's left eye)...
Tones and Mateos enjoying themselves as always...At least Matt was enjoying himself until I announced that I would be sleeping in his bed. Then he was mad. What are sisters for?

Mid-life Crisis!

So recently have been experiencing a mid-life crisis and for all you math whizzes out there, Yes apparently I am assuming a life expectancy of 58. I have all the symptoms of a mid-life crisis:

1. Buying a fancy, yet sportier car...2. Fulfilling my childhood fantasy by taking a flamenco dance class...3. Fulfilling my rockstar destiny by taking guitar lessons...

(future me)

4. Finding my inner chi by taking Tai Chi...
5. New hot young boyfriend... (ok not really but I think that is naturally next on my list;)

All of these things I decided to do in anticipation of being bored once I finished my Master's Degree. So have I finished said Master's Degree? Oops. Not yet and now I can't find the time to do it (wink, wink). Ok really I just have one chapter left on my capstone project and I have until the end of November to do it. But in the words of Rihanna "So live your life, ay ay ay. Instead of chasing that paper." Because really... what paper?
F.Y.I.~In hip-hop lingo "paper" means money.

The Real San Francisco Treat

Fact: There is no Rice-a-Roni in San Francisco.
Last weekend I went to San Fran with some friends as a random romantic getaway. Ok so it wasn't really that romantic considering I slept on the floor. By myself.
Anyways. It was a lot of fun even though there was no rice-a-roni to be had. Here are some pics from the trip:
Riding the cable car...Here we are at the Japanese Tea Gardens...Here we are eating a plout at the farmer's market. A plout is a cross between a plum and an apricot. Very tasty...
Sunday was Ukrainian Independence Day. Privit! We stumbled upon a celebration happening in Golden Gate Park. Did you know that the Ukraine has only had independence for 17 years? Fascinating.
Some people were not so enthusiastic about the event...I don't know why not. What's not to love? Singing, dancing all kinds of merriment. This lady with the red hair was apparently in charge and she was very entertaining. She would give a little intro before each number. The best was when she was introducing the choir (her choir) she called them on to the stage. "Now we will hear from the choir...Choir please get on the stage...Choir?!... CHOIR!!!" I couldn't control the giggles. Too bad we were on the second row.Red also introduced the dancing by describing their high steps and intricate stomping...Since we are such good girls... on Sunday we decided to go to church only too bad for us because street numbers aren't so organized so what looked like a one block walk from the cable car stop turned out to be an 11 block walk. This is my favorite pic of Tara because she was wearing pants under her dress and was going to change right outside the church...

I heard you shred the cello, and I'm jello Baby!

Saturday night my brother Jordan planned an event he advertised as "A Night of Mayhem". He and his friend Alyssa performed cello duets in the middle of the cul-de-sac. He passed out flyers around the neighborhood and provided refreshments. Our neighbor put up this sign...Jordan asked me to help him make a grand entrance. Here is what we came up with...

I had to explain to Sandor that this is NOT typical American behavior but it IS typical Ripplinger behavior!

Who's our German Bruder comes from Germany...

He's here!!!
This year my family is hosting a foreign exchange student from Germany. Sandor is his name. Pronounced "Zandohr". He is one cool kid. He speaks English very well, plays the electric guitar and he is super friendly and outgoing.
Here we are making our final preparations. We were running a little late. Clark and I were working on the welcome poster so Jordan was working on my hair.
Here is Sandor's American room. Very festive.
And here we are at the airport.
When Sandor got to our house he said "Wow it's just like being in an American movie". So far Sandor has been introduced to 3 liter soda (fan), squishy bread (not a fan), rootbeer (not a fan, you should have seen his face. I wish I would have captured it on film) and peanut butter (fan). He thinks that we are hilarious. He loved his room, our welcome song and he said I had good German pronunciation when I asked him if he wanted some gum (in German).

Big Winners!!

Yesterday my sister Mona and I went to Smiths to do a little grocery shopping. Little did we know it was "Founders Day" at Smiths. OK so we really don't know what that means except that when we walked in they offered us some cake and gave us some tickets for a drawing they were having. We bypassed the cake (it was white with lots of colorful frosting ..ew..),took the tickets and sauntered on to the produce department. Whilst in the produce department they called two winning ticket numbers over the loud speaker and the winner was.... Me!Can you believe it? I couldn't and I was by far the most enthusiastic person there (except for the 16 year old bagger boy. He seemed to be the only one who noticed that I was jumping up and down with excitement.) Anyway, I spun the wheel and won... a pie? Oh well, still a prize and I like prizes!We continued shopping and we were just about to check out when the oh so enthusiastic store manager got back on the pa system to call out two more lucky numbers. I stood in front of him trying to catch his eye and motion the number 166 to him (that was Mona's number) He called "1-6" and glanced at me while I motioned another 6, "6?". Yay!! We started jumping up and down again. He looked at us and said " You guys won again? You must have cheated." Us cheat? (no comments please) So he checked her ticket and Mona spun the wheel... She won... a brand new DVD of $9.99 value or less!
Overall it was a very successful shopping trip!

We Re-mem...

So many, many moons ago I was an Oakcrest Girl's Camp counselor. Oakcrest is a church camp for girls 12 or 13 years old. Anyways, at this time I had just finished my first year at Snow College and it seemed like a fun thing to do for the summer so my roommate Tasha and I both applied to be counselors. At the time there was a lot of people who applied. The competition was tough and I thought there was no way both of us would be accepted if at all one of us. But after an intimidating interview where we had to bare our testimonies to a room full of people we both made it. It was a great experience and I made lots of good lifetime friends, sang lots of camp songs and did LOTS of ridiculous things. Well this summer was the 50th reunion for the Oakcrest camp. I went and was able to meet up with some of my favorite people.
Tasha and I went up together (or should I call her Roxy. Did I mention we also had fake camp names...)...
Here I am with my "freaky friend Citrus". We were cabin mates and had lots of ridiculous fun together. Now she is Mrs. Utah (in case you thought her face was familiar (jk))...
Here I am with G.D. (Gumdrop) and Roxy...
This is one of my besst friends Lafter the Crafter. (Isn't that presh? I think she was excited to see her old home...ha, ha)...
Here is a bunch of people we knew...Dis, Scuttle, Lafter, Citrus, Sonrisa, G.D., Kodak, Peaches, Splash, Roxy
"We re-mem, re-mem, remember of Camp Oakcrest, good times together..."

When in Mexico...

As most people know every year I like to make the pilgrimage back to the mother country (or is it "father country") anyways... this year I decided to post pictures to depict things I love about Messico:
Paying to use the bathroom...Fresh tortillas daily...
Diving off the pier. Also very entertaining to the locals...
Local friends. This is Pancho with his rooster that he trains for cock fights. No lie...
Ridiculous purchases. This Tara molesting Tanner with the scary looking dog puppets we bought in Hermosillo...
Excuse me I'd like the EXTRA large bag of cheetos...
I am thinking about quiting my job and moving here...
Wouldn't you?