30 Things Before I Turn 30…Updated

May 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

It occurred to me the other day that I haven’t blogged about my updated 30 things list. This project is such a fun and important thing to me- and as I change and grow and morph into who I’m becoming, my interests change. So this new list is more along the lines of what I want to do now…and what I think will be awesome memories and experiences.

 

 To Do: 

Run a 5k

Ride a mechanical bull

Write a love letter and actually send it

Move to a new city

Be in a live studio audience

Write a letter to a celebrity

Quit a job you hate

Participate in a Polar Bear Swim

Have a complete physical

Get a letter to the editor published

See Old Faithful erupt

Get a stamp in my passport

Walk on the Skywalk over the Grand Canyon

Learn to drive stick shift

 

Done:

Paint a painting on canvas

Go to a different church

Take public transportation

Watch every James Bond film

See a space shuttle launch in person

Complete at 1000 piece puzzle

Give blood

Golf at a driving range

Go pier fishing

Let someone read my poetry journal

Camp out and watch Rose Parade in Pasadena, California

Find out my blood-type

Go on a cruise

Drive a wickedly cool car

Ride a cable car in San Francisco

Visit Pearl Harbor

Filed Under: 30 Things Tagged With: , ,

My Newest Boy…

May 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Remember the dog episode of 2010? Well, I’ve never really gotten the need for a small fluffy animal out of my system. And since I had such a dramatic reaction to canines, I’m taking another stab but with a feline this time.

 

Here he is. He’s about a year old, likes to cuddle, likes to play, is pretty shy around new people, and is C-R-A-Z-Y. I think this little dude sleeps like 4 hours a day- the rest of the time he’s running around like  psychopath.

 

 

I have a slight problem, though. I don’t know what to call him. When I adopted him they called him Hollister. I just don’t think he’s a Hollister…but every name I like somehow wears out when I get to know him better. So far he’s been Hollister, Xander, and Remus. Now I’m thinking about Loki (God of Mischief). Who knew choosing a moniker would be so hard.

Filed Under: Misc., Stuffs Tagged With:

A friend of mine, on The Avengers:

May 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment

“I didn’t think it was possible to get that amount of awesome or attractive in one film…”

Ummm, seriously. What an awesome movie! It far surpassed my expectations (although admittedly I didn’t spend a lot of time thinking about it before I went). But how could a movie directed by Joss Whedon and starring Robert Downey Junior (sigh), Jeremy Renner (also sigh- almost tied with the RDJ), and Mark Rufalo (he’s got that charming boy-next-door appeal) go wrong. But for reals it was awesome. The actions scenes were believable and intense, the plot was remarkably good, the dialogue between the characters was phenomenal, and it was just overall a really good movie. Thank you, Joss Whedon!

 

Filed Under: Misc. Tagged With: , , ,

Nine Years Today

April 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 

It’s hard to believe that nine years ago today I inadvertently played the best/worst April’s Fools Day joke. My poor parents.

I don’t remember much of the day I got this scar- just bits and pieces about off-roading, a car that should have tipped but didn’t, a whole lot of blood, an ambulance ride, about 35 stitches, the worst headache of my life, a gnarly black eye, and for the first time having to deal with something really scary and really hard all by myself. I grew up a lot that day, and the days surrounding it. I’m grateful for the experience- and I’m grateful for a human brain that doesn’t let me remember the really painful stuff! Anyway, here’s to nine years of the coolest scar in the world (aside from Harry Potter’s, of course- but then again, his is fictional).

Filed Under: Hard Things Tagged With: , ,

Hot. Mess.

March 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Have you ever started thinking, without any good reason at all, about someone you used to date? It’s kind of weird- like they’ve been out of your life for a significant amount of time, but then somehow you’ve allowed the memory of them to come back in.  That’s happened to me recently…and in a bad way. It all started with a dream. A simple, innocent dream where said suitor showed up and just fit back into my life so perfectly. A friendly conversation, a familiar hug, and all of a sudden I’m finding myself in setback mode. SO weird how subconscious thoughts can spill into the emotions of reality! And then, once you’ve already got them on the brain, you notice them (or the holes they’ve left) in a plethora of different ways. Even if those holes have healed, all it takes is someone wearing cologne that smells suspiciously like his, or a hat that’s cocked slightly to the left, to send you reeling all over again. Sigh. Is there any way around that?

Filed Under: Hard Things, Misc., Relationships Tagged With:

Living on a Prayer

February 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I went to Vista tonight. Before she died, I would go visit my Grandma on Wednesdays. Well, today is Wednesday- and it just seems right that I continue to go. I’ve been over a few times since she passed, but tonight’s visit was the first time it seemed normal for her not to be there. It was the first time I picked up the worry stone I gave her after a business trip to Washington DC without getting tears in my eyes. It was the first time I could bring myself to use the colorful ceramic bowls that were her favorite. A commercial for Survivor came on the TV, and I fondly remembered watching last season with her instead of being sad about it. I still can’t sit in her chair…but I’m sure the day will come that it will be normal to do that, too.

All this change has got me thinking about how grateful I am for my family, and how grateful I am for the knowledge of the gospel. It’s so easy to lose sight of what’s really important in life…and I’m grateful for little nudges and designated helpers who keep us on track and help us progress. Life is weird- it just keeps on moving. Despite the pain and the turmoil we find ourselves in, it just doesn’t stop. Isn’t that crazy?

Okay, enough with the deep meaning-of-life stuff. Although admittedly that’s where my mind has been lately.  Speaking of my mind- it’s starting to feel like the inside of my purse looks again.

 

- Yay for a whole month without a kidney stone! 4 whole weeks without a Vicodin!!!

-  I need to start making videos for work. It falls under my “social media” hat, but I’m secretly (or less secretly now) terrified of them. Does anyone have any tips? Or know how to use Flash and wants to show me some tricks?

-  I’ve got Solana Beach on the brain. Bad. A year ago I moved North for work and to change my life scenery…but it keeps popping back into my playbook.

- I bought a sewing machine and supplies. So far I’ve learned how to thread my machine and I’ve stitched two pockets of an apron. I feel like I’m off to a decent start.

-  My hair need a cut. Like mad. Calling tomorrow.

-  Baseball season is right around the corner. I am SO excited.

Filed Under: Misc., My Family is Awesome Tagged With: , ,

Horoscope Schmoroscope

February 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Astrology, in my mind, is hot and cold. A lot of the time I think people’s signs reflect their personality traits. Mine is cancer, for example, which is a crab. And sometimes I can be crabby. Moving on. But then there are the daily horoscopes, and sometimes they are very VERY bizarre. Mine for tomorrow is a prime spectacle. Basically it’s telling me that because I’m single, I need to wear purple to attract a funny guy. What happens if I don’t wear purple? What if I wear green? Will I end up with someone boring? And even though I think that’s the most random thing I’ve heard today (which is saying something…), part of me wants to wear purple tomorrow. Just in case. Does that make me weird? Gosh, I hope not.

This is a wonderful time for all kinds of social occasions, with the favorable aspect today. If you are in a permanent relationship, then you may both find your lives enriched by a new circle of friends. If you are single, then include some purple in your outfit to attract a good-humored lover, and be sure to have a few new jokes on hand to share.

Filed Under: Misc. Tagged With: ,

Patricia Ensign Canady

January 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

My world kind of turned upside down on Sunday. My Grandmother passed away. I’ve always loved and adored her, but we became really close the last 5ish months of her life. She was diagnosed with cancer in August of 2011, so I started going to visit her once a week.

Wednesdays soon became my “Grandma Day,” and it started off as an attempt to distract her from the reality of her condition and let her know how much I loved her. It only took a couple visits, however, before I started to realize the affect it w

as having on me. I went to serve her, but in the meantime I was being served in a way I didn’t see coming. I learned so so much from her and was blessed in a way I never anticipated. As we talked about my life and my adventures, my love for my Grandmother grew astronomically. As she was talking to me, I saw what a selfless woman she was. She was suffering from cancer, but was so concerned about my kidney stones and what was going on in my life. And her whole life was like that! What a phenominal example to me of how to think and act. As I went and hung out with her, I felt my nature start to change. I can’t explain it- clearly I’m not as gentle and loving and selfless as she was, but I now know how I want to be.

I had the opportunity to write her obituary. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be, but I am so honored to have been given that opportunity. It’s below.

To the woman who taught me the meaning of selfless, Christlike love: you will be sorely missed and forever loved.

 

Patricia Ensign Canady

July 1929 to January 2012

Patricia was born in Wichita, Kansas July 16, 1929 to Ara Hunsaker and Horace Samuel Ensign II. She attended college at the University of Utah, where she graduated with a degree in elementary education in 1951. 

Patricia taught elementary school in Hawaii, and later Utah. While in Utah, she met her husband, Donald William Canady. They married January 30, 1957 in Salt Lake City. The couple was blessed with six children- five boys and one girl.

Patricia was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints her entire life. She held many church callings. She was also very involved in the Daughters of Utah Pioneers.

She will be greatly missed by her family: husband, Donald William Canady, and her six children: David Canady; Annette Canady Rowe; Thomas Canady; Robert John Canady; Ronald Canady; and Michael Canady, as well as her 15 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Filed Under: Hard Things, My Family is Awesome Tagged With: , ,

NYE

January 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I love New Years Eve. I always have. It’s an awesome holiday full of fresh starts, fireworks, and reflecting on previous years and experiences. I like to do random and fun stuff for it, too. I’m not sure where that stems from- maybe because I don’t want a new year to be rung in in a boring way. Like I’m afraid it would jinx the year someway. Who knows. At any rate, I’m all about new years adventures, and this one was no exception.

I rang in 2012 in San Francisco with my friend Becky. It was a pretty fun trip, with some ridiculously crazy moments, including those wonderful soul-searching ones where I found myself in complete awe of the awesome world we live in. As with any trip, there were plenty of highlights and a few hilarious lowlights.  I’m sure this isn’t even all of them, but see below. And corresponding slide show. :)

  • An AWESOME Dad who hooked us up with vouchers for a fancy hotel- Highlight
  • Experiencing mass transit (BART) in a new city- Highlight
  • Paying $16 to sit on flea-invested seats on BART- Lowlight
  • Taking an accidental picture (flash included) of a beautiful strange on BART- Highlight
  • Exploring the Embarcadero in downtown San Francisco- Highlight
  • Walking about 2 miles in travel shoes (ZERO support) – Lowlight
  • Taking a nighttime ferry to see Alcatraz, Angel Island, and the bay- Highlight
  • Scoring free double-decker bus tickets from a nice guy working at the docks- Highlight
  • Getting a kidney stone and having a cold- Lowlight
  • Swensen’s ice cream. Sticky chocolate flavor- Highlight
  • Seeing the Full House house and the Painted Ladies- Highlight
  • Taking a free double-decker bus tour around San Francisco- Highlight
  • Renting a double bike to ride through Golden Gate Park- Highlight
  • Riding said heavy bike up hills and getting lost in Golden Gate Park- Lowlight
  • Riding on the top of a double-decker bus across the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset- Highlight
  • Taking a cable car on New Years Eve- Highlight
  • Sitting next to extremely misbehaved 6 year olds singing “I’m sexy and I know it”- Lowlight
  • Hanging out on the Embarcadero on NYE to watch fireworks- Highlight
  • Missing most of said fireworks due to a badly placed building on Pier 39- Lowlight
  • Sitting in traffic for 2 hours afterwards- Lowlight
  • Sleeping in until 12 noon the day after on an incredibly comfortable mattress- Highlight
  • Walking the grounds and checking out the view of the Oakland temple- Highlight
  • Seeing Mission Impossible -Highlight
  • Checking out the phenominal view of Coit Tower- Highlight
  • Missing the tour of AT&T Stadium- Lowlight
  • Catching a flight home to San Diego only to end up in Phoenix- Lowlight
  • Impromptu roadtrip home- Highlight/Lowlight (this one has to share)

 

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Filed Under: Friends, Fun Trips Tagged With: , , , , , ,

NYE

January 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I love New Years Eve. I always have. It’s an awesome holiday full of fresh starts, fireworks, and reflecting on previous years and experiences. I like to do random and fun stuff for it, too. I’m not sure where that stems from- maybe because I don’t want a new year to be rung in in a boring way. Like I’m afraid it would jinx the year someway. Who knows. At any rate, I’m all about new years adventures, and this one was no exception.

I rang in 2012 in San Francisco with my friend Becky. It was a pretty fun trip, with some ridiculously crazy moments, including those wonderful soul-searching ones where I found myself in complete awe of the awesome world we live in. As with any trip, there were plenty of highlights and a few hilarious lowlights.  I’m sure this isn’t even all of them, but see below. And corresponding slide show. :)

 

  • An AWESOME Dad who hooked us up with vouchers for a fancy hotel- Highlight
  • Experiencing mass transit (BART) in a new city- Highlight
  • Paying $16 to sit on flea-invested seats on BART- Lowlight
  • Taking an accidental picture (flash included) of a beautiful strange on BART- Highlight
  • Exploring the Embarcadero in downtown San Francisco- Highlight
  • Walking about 2 miles in travel shoes (ZERO support) – Lowlight
  • Taking a nighttime ferry to see Alcatraz, Angel Island, and the bay- Highlight
  • Scoring free double-decker bus tickets from a nice guy working at the docks- Highlight
  • Getting a kidney stone and having a cold- Lowlight
  • Swensen’s ice cream. Sticky chocolate flavor- Highlight
  • Seeing the Full House house and the Painted Ladies- Highlight
  • Taking a free double-decker bus tour around San Francisco- Highlight
  • Renting a double bike to ride through Golden Gate Park- Highlight
  • Riding said heavy bike up hills and getting lost in Golden Gate Park- Lowlight
  • Riding on the top of a double-decker bus across the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset- Highlight
  • Taking a cable car on New Years Eve- Highlight
  • Sitting next to extremely misbehaved 6 year olds singing “I’m sexy and I know it”- Lowlight
  • Hanging out on the Embarcadero on NYE to watch fireworks- Highlight
  • Missing most of said fireworks due to a badly placed building on Pier 39- Lowlight
  • Sitting in traffic for 2 hours afterwards- Lowlight
  • Sleeping in until 12 noon the day after on an incredibly comfortable mattress- Highlight
  • Walking the grounds and checking out the view of the Oakland temple- Highlight
  • Seeing Mission Impossible -Highlight
  • Checking out the phenominal view of Coit Tower- Highlight
  • Missing the tour of AT&T Stadium- Lowlight
  • Catching a flight home to San Diego only to end up in Phoenix- Lowlight
  • Impromptu roadtrip home- Highlight/Lowlight (this one has to share)
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