Merry Christmas

Spring Cleaning

While I've been home for a few days I decided (after being not so gently nudged by my mother) to clean out some of my artifacts from high school that have been left in my old room. After all, it's been 10 *gulp* years.


A high light of my trip has been going through boxes of notes from high school and then calling old friends to discuss the ridiculous nature of said letters. And with my girl friends giving big sighs of relief that we didn't in fact end up marrying the boys we thought for sure we would. I probably didn't have to read as many as I did, because after doing this for hours I realized they all said the same thing:
"I'm sorry I told so and so about such and such."
"I can't believe she likes him. I liked him first."
"Why does he talk to you more than me?"

and the number one stated sentiment from high school
"Do you think he likes me?"

Here are some examples that were hilarious to me. Or probably to any girl that went to high school. Names have been changed to protect the innocent.

"I just had to tell you: I (heart) _____ I'm going to marry him someday. I PROMISE! Now ___ (other guy) and I'll just be good friends with him. Even though when I'm with him I feel like I'm in love with him" -May 29, 1997 Didn't happen. She didn't marry either one.

"Okay, here it is. I want to go out with ____ but I don't. See what I mean? It's just like when you say you like ___ one minute but then you don't like him the next minute." She ended up going out with him, I ended up not being all that enthralled with my guy.

"Sometimes I think that while we are on the phone when you say that we are best friends, I think that it's kinda forced. Like, because we were for awhile, but now you and ___ are best friends but not me anymore" Oh, high school

"Lacey thinks they'll break up under 2 weeks, Vanessa says 2 weeks, you say a week from tomorrow, and I say he isn't going to break-up with her at all, because he knows I won't go out with him." He did break up with her, although, I don't remember when. And my friend did end up going out with him.

"You just asked me if I'm mad at ___(girl). Did she ask you to ask me that? Can you tell me why she thought that?...You're best friends with ___ (girl #2), right? Well, me and ___ (girl) are too, I think. But lately she's been spending more time with (girl #2) than me. We haven't talked on the phone for so long, except for Spanish. Can you talk to her about it?" Suprising that we all remained friends through the end of high school.

And my personal favorite. I hope you kept reading to get to this one:
"I know you're on the phone with ____ (current boyfriend). I just really hope you don't get mad after reading this letter. I (heart) ____ (same boy). I kinda liked him at the time when you liked ____ (brother to current boy), but didn't really think to tell you because you practically gagged whenever you saw him. I would have told you sooner, but then you liked him, and I could tell he liked you. But I'm happy for you. And you are still my best friend. In fact, there isn't anyone else I would want to go out with him besides you. Then I could get to know him better."

I'm so glad I'm not in high school anymore.

And as a special treat for making it to the end, my senior picture

Moral Dilemna

In 'N Out recently opened in Utah. You'd think I'd be pretty excited about this considering I love In 'N Out. It's a must eat whenever I go home. However, I have been in staunch opposition to their presence in Northern Utah (I've made my peace with the location in St. George). Here's the premise of my dislike:
~The best part of In 'N Out is knowing that when I'm eating there I'm not in Utah. It's a vacation food.
~ I don't think In 'N Outs should exist in places where you have to plow the drive through. Or where you can't have the trademark palm trees out front. It's just not right.

So long before they opened I vowed to boycott In 'N Out in Utah. Here's the problem: I drive past the one in Orem at least 3 times a week, and I know what I'm missing. It looks so good. And the long line doesn't even seem so long anymore because I want to eat some so bad.

Dear friends of faithful readers,

I don't check my analytics very often, but ocassionally I like to know where my fans are coming from. And also probable stalkers. You know who you are. But tonight I thought it would be fun to see how many states have had hits in the last 15 months of my blog's existence. I'm missing 8 states! 8 states have failed to show up. Including South Dakota, to whom I gave a raving review. Other missing states include:
Louisiana
West Virginia
Kentucky
Maine
New Hampshire
Rhode Island
Connecticut

Now I'm not sure why I think it would be so cool to have a hit from every state, but I do. So perhaps if any of you know anyone from those states, if they would be so kind as to show up, even for just a second. Because I don't actually want to have to visit some of those states. You also know who you are.

Pottery Barn stole my ideas

Other than the quality of the picture, can you really tell a difference between the top picture and the bottom two? I know, the similarities are uncanny! The same lamps, the same pillows, my living room inadvertently became page 76 of the Pottery Barn catalog. And I didn't buy a single thing from PB, in fact, I never even look at PB. I made the pillows and table runner, and then my old roommate showed me this picture from PB.

Missing

MISSING!!!!!

Answers to the names of "Cha" and "Co"
Noticed missing November 7, 2009 when it was actually nice enough to wear them.
Probably missing for a few weeks already
Chaco Isis, size 7 well worn, well traveled, and much loved.
Last seen the day Angela and I went shopping for Callie's birthday present
Reward offered (probably a hug or a cookie).

Probably not smarter than a 5th grader

This year our family decided to trade in our standard trip to Hawaii for something different. Instead of soaking up the sun, laying on the beach, and reading books I don't usually have time for we went to... Virginia. My mom was pretty excited about it. Me, not so much. I just wasn't sure Virginia could compete with Hawaii. It can't. But it was still fun. Maybe because I actually really like history, and it was shocking to realize how much of my public education history I have forgotten. I'm sure my teachers tried, but I didn't remember much from early American history, so it was like learning it all for the first time again.

If given the choice I'd still probably take Hawaii over Virginia, but it was still well worth the trip.


(Yeah, that's my great times 17 grandpa mentioned in the plaque...)

Making Up for lost time

I've never been confused for the roommate who is always home, sitting on the sofa, hording the TV remote, and never relenquishing control of the common living spaces. I am more of the mystery roommate, who people question whether or not I actually exist. It's not that in the last few years I haven't had great roommates, I just have a crazy schedule that I'm either not home, or asleep when everyone else is awake. That said, 2 years ago I lived with 2 great girls Emily and Shandy. However my schedule was so opposite Shandy's I believe we lived together 3 months before we actually had a real conversation. To say the least, we never became the best of friends. In the mean time, Emily has since moved to the arctic tundra we call Southeast Idaho and Shandy and I decided before winter hit we should visit her. It was a great trip. Shandy and I realized our car ride up and back was probably the most we've ever talked, and this trip was only the second time the 3 of us have all hung out together, and possibly the first time Shandy and I have spent any amount of time together. And it was so fun! On our long road trip there wasn't one space of awkward silence. We finally found out all the basics about each other. We lived together a year and I just found out last weekend where she was born and raised, and that we got our Associate's Degrees at the same college at the same time.

We spent the weekend eating, playing Beatle's Rock Band, watching movies, shopping, and lots of girl talk. Plus, it was fun to visit Idaho again. I've been in Utah so long I forgot I used to make fun of Idaho. Because where else when you go to Wal-mart instead of having the hair/nail salon at the front they have a fly fishing headquarters?

Go NASA

Perhaps NASA had the idea first.
(Urine hose on display at Air and Space Museum in DC)

I'm officially domestic

On my list of things I'd like to do before I die right between run a 1/2 marathon and brand a cow is make a quilt. One out of the three of those is done now.
My friend Rebecca is such a talented quilter. I can prove it--she taught me how to quilt. We'll see if I remember how to do anything without her right there coaching me at every step. But I made the whole quilt, even the actual quilting, called stippling. Yeah, I know the words. So here is the evidence of my great accomplishment.
These aren't the fancy pictures of my quilt hanging on a clothes line in the fresh fall sun. I got too impatient (shocking) to wait for the better pictures.

Incredible India

I do not like Indian food. Indian food does not like Crohn's. I have Crohn's, ergo, I do not like Indian food. So knowing I would be spending a week in India was a little frightening as far as not knowing if I would be starving all week. I went prepared though: half loaf of bread, packages of wheatables, club crackers, turkey jerkey, snack pack pudding cups, hummus, pita bread, and propel packets--several days worth of Crohn's approved diet. The pudding didn't make it past Salt Lake airport security. They considered it a liquid. And apparently arguing that needing a spoon to eat it does not make them want to change their mind. But don't worry, Brian's 10 lb. blunt object of a tripod was totally fine. My pudding was a threat though.

In India I was surprised to find more eating options than I had expected. I ate a lot of Japanese and Chinese food. And lots of bread and rice. A whole week of eating pretty much straight carbs and I still lots 10 pounds. Take that Atkins.

India itself was an adventure. Quite different from other 3rd world countries I've visited. More poverty and dirtier than any other cities I've ever been to. At least where we were. I don't want to dwell on that though, because I'm sure if we had gotten out of the big cities, India would be absolutely beautiful, especially up north, but we didn't get to on this trip. So I'm not sure I would recommend India to fellow travellers, but I'm certainly glad I went. Mostly because the Taj Mahal is as amazing as it looks. And I'm now over half way to seeing all the New 7 Wonders.




I'm not sure whether people believed me or not when I said there were cows (and goats and dogs for that matter) all over the streets, just hanging out. This picture is a little blurry but you can see 5 cows just hanging out in the streets. Eating garbage--the one thing that isn't scarce in Delhi.

The Amber Fort was pretty cool. And also featured on this last season of "The Amazing Race."
This was the elephant that we rode. Her name was Champa.

Every morning Angela and I would sneak a ziplock full of watermelon from the breakfast buffet into our bag to eat throughout the day. Only on the 2nd to last day did we find out if we had just asked, they would have packed it up for us in a to go container. But where's the fun in that?

National Parks Pass

Dear National Parks Annual Pass,
It's been a great year. You entered our lives last August when we went rock climbing in the Uinta National Forest. What fun we've had together since, and worth every penny. Sometimes it was fun to drive through entrance stations just to show you off.
I have so many memories of you and all the places you took us this year.
~Uinta National Forest: multiple times for climbing and hiking
~Lake Powell: twice
~Zion
~Arches/Canyonlands: multiple trips
~Grand Canyon
~Devils Tower
~Muir Woods
~Rocky Mountain

And many other national parks and monuments, but they didn't always make us pay, or made us pay anyway (Mt. Rushmore--free entrance but pay to park). But I proudly showed you anyway. I look forward to the next pass (although its picture on the front isn't as good as yours) because without you I would have nothing to blog about.
With love,
kp

(PS Don't let this picture fool you, my friend Brian was so embarrassed when I took this picture of the trip that the pass paid for itself)

The Ups and Down

So I've already addressed some of the perks of traveling when your mom is one of the flight attendants. Now I have to address the more unpleasant side of that coin. When your mom is working the flight, you pretty much have to do anything any of the flight attendants ask you to do. Even if that thing is trading seats with a disgruntled passenger because he was assigned to sit next to a rather...large...woman. And there were no empty seats on the flight. Now I don't want to offend any of the demographics who may read my blog, but it made for a very unpleasant 5 hour flight. The arm rest couldn't go down because she was in half of my seat, she took up all of the leg room, when she would doze off her arm would flop onto my leg, and the smell. My mom did bring me some coffee, not that I drink it, but so I could inhale it. In this woman's defense, she was very nice and pleasant and under different circumstances I wouldn't even be telling you about her.

The upside of this story, is that my mom (and all the flight attendants) felt so bad for me that when the fasten seat belt light wasn't on, my mom had made me a little seat in the first class galley from a box and table linen where I could sit enjoy a little arm and leg room. With flight attendants contantly offering me extra drinks and treats. And then they put me to work serving drinks.

Make A Wish

A few weeks ago my cousin got to go to Hawaii with her family as her wish was granted from Make-A-Wish Foundation. My cousin was kind enough to invite me along. I've been to Hawaii a few times, but it was a little more exciting this time with these kids. They had never seen the ocean! I ended up flying over alone, and getting a rental car by myself so I could also do my own thing. It was actually a weird feeling and I felt a little homesick. I've traveled a lot, but never completely alone; I've never rented a rental car. And I've never been to Hawaii without my own family. I daresay, I missed them.

Warning: do not turn 27

Not long ago when my dear friend Angela turned 27 she warned me not to turn 27 because that's when you start falling apart. I should explain. Within 3 weeks of turning 27 she dislocated her elbow, got pink eye, got another infection, and a few other ailments which I don't need to bring up for her to re-live. It was not a good start to 27 for her. We've laughed about this for years. And even on my birthday joked that I was going to start falling apart. I wish that joke was still funny. In the last month since I turned 27 the outer edge of my left eyebrow has mysteriously gone missing, something is wrong with my foot (no, I don't know what, I don't want to go to the doctor), and they very unexpectedly had to reopen my surgical incision from last year. I'm healing well, but it has not been a good start at 27.

Peachy Trip Home

The theme for my weekend at home was "Things we've lived near forever but never actually visited as a family." We went to Muir woods, Mare Island, and walked across the Golden Gate. Okay, we didn't end up walking across it because it was so cold. But does eating lunch at the headlands count all the same?

The best part of my trip home though was that all four of my parent's peach trees are in season. I ate sickening amounts of peaches, peach milkshakes, peaches 'n cream, etc. I may never want to eat peaches again. Okay, that's a downright lie.

Buckskin Gulch

My friend Brian and I went backpacking a few weeks ago to Buckskin Gulch in Southern Utah. Buckskin is rumored to be the longest slot canyon in the world and it felt like it at times for sure. I've wanted to post about it for awhile but have been putting it off because there's really not much to tell about it, no funny stories, no situations, nothing. Other than a really fun trip, amazing canyon, and a renewed love for the sani-fem. Oh, and I finally got to use my new backpack.


I only included this picture because I think it's funny that it looks like I'm wearing socks with sandals. Which is never okay to do, under any circumstance.


This is what our feet looked like the entire second day. My Chacos will never be the same.

Happy Golden Birthday to ME!

Golden Birthday: when you turn the age that is also the date of your birthday. I was surprised how few people are aware of the golden birthday. I was kind of excited for mine, but at the same time, made me realize how quickly time goes. And I hear it only gets worse. I first learned about golden birthdays in high school, and mine on the 27th seemed so far away. But now, here and gone. Yes, I'm 27, and officially at the age where I'd like to stop. So next year, check in for another golden birthday where I will again be turning 27 on the 27th.

I decided to tackily throw myself a birthday party. I hadn't had a birthday party in years, let alone even been in the country on my birthday for a few years so it sounded like a good excuse to have a party. I was a little worried about how it would go, since I really didn't have anything planned, because what do people do at birthdays in their 20s? I don't know either. So we just had cake and hung out and it turned out great. Well, at least everyone humored me because it was my birthday and appeared to have fun. It was a great turn out too. I found if you'd like to double your friends, have them get married. You look much more popular that way. And then if they have kids, it adds more chaos, so the party looks even more fun and crazy.

It was a great birthday and thanks to everyone who came. It was great to see everyone!


Allison is the best. She gave me a CHI for my birthday. I have never bought one because I've never thought I was worth the money. Allison thinks I am.