Since I was a little girl, I have loved these flowers.

My mom used to give me oral flower quizzes,

and I have fond memories of our garden nursery visits.

I wish that I could place fresh flowers in every room of my house.

I'm a firm believer that flowers possess a healing power.
Hey, whatever happened to Grandma's hydrangea bushes?

Hi there! Meet my new form of transportation...


Two weeks ago, Dalaney and I were scanning the KSL Classifieds when we stumbled upon this 2004 Honda Metropolitan scooter. The next morning, we borrowed his brother's SUV and journeyed to Layton.

Her tank only holds 1.3 gallons...but she averages 100+ mpg! I love my scooter so much that it makes me perform interpretive dances.

My testosterone-filled boyfriend performs the labor involved (including welding the exhaust!). He's the best.


The previous owner was involved in a dangerous scooter wreck. So, I ordered a replacement back fender, a new battery, mirrors, and a kickstand. I can't wait for the parts to arrive!

My organizational salvation:

.
I used to misplace my keys or my debit card or my cell phone or my student ID
...on a daily basis.

So, this is probably the best thing that has ever happened to me.
They're on sale now. Check it out at Vera Bradley.

I can't wait to ride around in Parker's Jeep Wranger

with the top down and the wind blowing through my hair...

Or stay up late talking to my best friend...

Or eat lunch at El Rancho/Newks with Mike....


Or play Wii Rock Band with my adorable brother Cade....

I had a dream/I have a dream

It is vital that I someday travel here:Santorini: a picturesque cluster of Greek islands

I'm sure you've seen the timeless, iconic images before.

On calendars, advertisements, or desktop wallpapers.
They're beautiful.


When I went to Greece, I expected to see white stucco houses...everywhere. Well, they're not. Athens looked similar to Mexico City. Some historians even speculate that Santorini is the setting for the legendary city of Atlantis.
Sunsets, volcanoes, cliffs, blue dome roofs, and red beaches. Ahhh.

My ability to hyperfocus.

I cooked this afternoon.

If you've ever eaten at a Mexican restaurant with me, you've probably noticed that I spoon feed the pico de gallo solely into my cavernous mouth. It is my favorite! So, I found the recipe for Cafe Rio's pico de gallo (posted below) and attempted to recreate the magic.

While I was googling the recipe though, I stumbled upon
tantalizing images of quesadillas and guacamole. So, then I decided to make those too.


Chopping: -verb,
to cut or sever with a quick, heavy blow or a series of blows using an ax, hatchet, ect.


The end result.



I only used one avocado for this! Last week, I used FOUR avocados and on the next day, the entire top layer was an icky brown.



For my meat filling, I grilled a steak.



Yummy!


My dream kitchen=

I love whimsical white kitchens in contrast with rich, dark wood floors.
I love glass door cabinetry, and I think granite counter tops change the entire look of things.

The low microwave placement in this specific room is interesting, but not ideal.
There are probably few things that I enjoy more than a stylish kitchen.

An effective, aesthetically-pleasing kitchen has the ability to transform a house! It is vital in my future home. Here, I will and bake delicious homemade ice cream cakes and master the perfect quesadilla.


Cafe Rio's Pico de gallo:
4 tomatoes
1 onion
1/4 bunch of cilantro
(CHOP all of the above)
2 gloves of minced garlic
1/2 t of lime juice
1t salt, 1/2t pepper

Paradigmatic Provo

I have a slight parking issue. The Provo Parking Gestapo has it out for me. Some might argue that I bring it upon myself, but that is irrelevant. The fact is that I single handily probably fund the entire maintenance of Provo streets. (Where does all that money go...?).

Today, I went into the Justice Center to pay a previous citation. But first....I ran to the bathroom. When I walked out, I realized that the line to speak with the attendee had multiplied 8x+. So, I begrudgingly took my place at the end of the daunting line.

Disclaimer: I stare. Nonstop staring. I wish I had the ability to be more suave/nonchalant/sophisticated about my condition, but I don't.

Eventually, I observed that the flock of people in front of me seemed well acquainted with one another. And I deduced that were actually a family.

Turns out... they were the wedding party for the next civil marriage to be performed at the court house.

The teenage "bride" adorned pink, fluffy household slippers.


The gangster "groom" proudly announced to his witnesses that he hadn't even bathed or brushed his teeth that day.



Overall, it was a refreshing experience to be had during my brief stint at the courthouse today.

Adventures.

Flashback to good ole', pre-dating European days...

A pub in Dublin, Ireland...



Riding a gondola in Venice, Italy...

On top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa...



Life is good.

World in my Hands

I checked this book out from the Provo library.

(I finally took Loriana's advice and joined!
Now, I am an official library-card-holding-member.)

It is thick, hardback, and approx. 12 x 24 inches.

My goal= Read all 230+ country (as defined by Lonely Planet) entries.

I could sift through it.....ALL. DAY. LONG.


Just daydreaming away about.... hand-woven Himalayan textiles, pink Bermuda sand beaches, and Burkina Faso marketplaces....

Word to Your Motha

Edifying. Inspirational. Stimulating.
These adjectives accurately describe my Friday night culturally enriching experience.
For the first time in 18 years, Vanilla Ice and M.C. Hammer reunited on the stage for one night only in little Orem, Utah.
The event founders encouraged attendees to dress in traditional 80s/90s. There was a plethora of neon Ray Bans, glitter, side ponytails, and "Hammer pants."
Post-show, Dalaney, Bri, and I were left speechless.


I'm just so thrilled that I heard the classics (ie: Ice, Ice, Baby..Can't Touch This....Too Legit to Quit) performed LIVE. It was incredible.

Oh, and just so you know... if you're ever tempted to purchase Vanilla Ice's recent recordings, donate that money to a Romanian orphanage. Or burn it. Either way, the result will prove more entertaining.