Vote for #6

My sister Lu'isa just took a photography class from my cousin's wife Seini. I love photography and the process. However, I love the old school developing with the chemicals and fixing it. The developing process was always my favorite part along with playing with the light and aperture's.

She has some of her examples here at www.seinis.com. Click on to the link and vote for #6. I love the angle and the use of color and space. Its soft and subtle. Great job Lu'isa.

Mother's Day

Some of my friends have said that "every day is mother's day." I'm not sure what that means. Does it mean that every day you are a mother and you're glad? Or, does it mean that every day you're a mother and you're under appreciated (I know the word unappreciated, but I mean under)? I smile and don't say anything. Awkward.

I hope those of you who are mother's of young children, know that your children love you and that you are their world, no pressure. Those of you with grown children need to know that, your children love you and you are still their world, even if their world has gotten a little more crowded and sometimes they get busy (Its hypothetical, not me). I love you, Mom.

Oprah and Chicken

Oprah is amazing. Whether you agree with her politics or think her shows have too many dramatic pauses during the teasers (that's what I think). She knows what women want. Whether its book club reading or giving America a new President. She has an instinct about what women want that many corporations wish they had.

This week she gave away FREE Chicken coupons to KFC. However, it was "grilled" chicken. So, once again my feelings are mixed. Grilled Chicken and KFC...I think I'll pass. Thank you for the thought Oprah.

Denial is not just a river in Egypt

In let's say...January, I bought a weight watcher scale. I just took it out of the box about a month a go and I just put in the batteries, TODAY! So, I put it on the ground and tapped it, then stepped on it. YES! I have officially re-entered the no weightloss zone. Which means that I weigh exactly the same about as I did last year BEFORE I lost 42.4 lbs.

I was in denial that my habits had fallen so terribly. But, its true I am back to square one. I think this is like any goal whether its music, fitness or spirituality. It needs constant diligence to keep something up. Its a let down and I can't believe that I was in denial for so long. Last night I bought the frozen meals, I'm going to sign up again. I need to, its no use pretending I look good or I feel good. Okay, maybe I look good, but I can always look better. ;)

Some things that make me slightly different

Before you think this is going to be some expose post on my life. Just go ahead and click out. Its not. I was just having conversation with my cousin's wife Felecia and she made a comment that some girls don't like Jane Austen Movies. Which is a shocker to me since my sisters and I love them. So, here are some things that I think might be unusual or make me feel different from many other people. Feel free to share what you think makes you feel different or unusual.

1. Garth Brooks sounded better as Chris Gaines.
   
2. Twix should not have done away with the peanut butter twix.
3. I hate guys with long hair, especially pony tails.
   
4. I hate raw onions and sometimes say I'm allergic in restaurants because I don't want them near my food.
5. I hate when I hear that they may do away with the penny because, how can I ever come out with exact change. I don't understand.
   
6. When I donate to the "Fill in child's name" for "Fill in organ" transplant fund, wonder if I'm being suckered.
   
7. Like a Hannah Montana song and I'm over 30.
8. Wonder if Elvis and Tupac are really alive, I doubt it but still am intrigued.
   
9. Worry about a world that gets more of their news from housewife blogs than from credible journalists.
10. I am blogging at 1:00 AM and work early tomorrow.
11. Like lists to end in multiples of 5, but also like to break conformity rules.
    

So, tell me what is something that you don't know if other people feel the same way about something as you do.

Death and Taxes...

The saying goes that in life there are only two things that you can be certain about, death and taxes. It is a somewhat comforting statement in an uncertain time. We lived in an era where people thought buying and selling homes like we used to sell candy to our relatives for some school organization, was a sound investment strategy. People watch the stock market like its a game of blackjack and that you should move your stocks daily. Fear, becomes our motivation.

That is more depressing than an economic depression. So, I would like to say that there are more things you can be certain about than death and taxes. Here is my list.

1. McDonald's will always sell a cheeseburger and I will always order it with no pickles and no onions.
2. Reality game shows like survivor and the Amazing Race should not show during the dinner hours of 7-8pm. *sound of gagging.*
3. I will always wonder how a chain smoker like Anthony Bourdain can also be a food critic. Smoking and taste buds don't mix.
4. I will always yell at the movie screen and close my eyes when the people go into a dark room or go walk alone down an abandoned road. ARE YOU CRAZY!
5. Oreo cookies are always better with milk.
6. Celebrities will always get divorced and magazines will always cover them on the front page and we will always say, "I could have told you that wasn't going to work out."
7. 100 calorie snack packs will never assuage my appetite for the real stuff.
8. Money doesn't make people kind or mean. They either are or they aren't.
9. I will never understand politics no matter how much I study or think about it.
10. I will always love my family and friends no matter how long we go without speaking or seeing one another.

How much does it cost to be pretty???

I know, I haven't written in a while and I apologize for the delay. I have been crazy, busy, but really who isn't. This lack of time has made me spend money on things I would have been hesitant to ever consider in the past. I eat out more, I buy clothes without browsing as much and considering the cost. But, last week I bought a pair of tweezers for TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS!! I couldn't believe how much until I left the beauty supply shop. I thought that the wax I usually purchase had increased. When I looked at the receipt and saw that it was the tweezers, I was floored. It made me think about what am I spending my money on and why?

Is it the way that owning something makes us feel or is it really the quality. Take name brand jeans for example. As a 13 year old girl I had my heart set on a pair of Girbaud jeans. I knew that if I could just have a pair, then I would be happy. I begged and pleaded with my mother for a pair. Finally, Santa heard my pleas and I was given some for Christmas.

I felt so fantastic, I wore them almost every other day. However, it really didn't change my social status or my friends thoughts about me. It changed the way I felt about myself. I think sometimes we identify with things like purses and shoes or make-up (I am a recovering sephora addict) to make us feel better. Even our jobs can try to define us.

I went to a networking lunch a few weeks ago with new BYU Alumni. I had never been to one before and it was only $8.00!!! Usually I spend a minimum of $25.00. Going to this lunch I realized I have been working with seasoned networking pros for too long.

I went to this lunch and the first thing you do at any networking function is to AVOID talking about business, unless you know that person already. Why? Because you have nothing to build on. Business is done through relationships. You have to first have one to build on, otherwise you're just a car salesman. These new alums, the first thing they did was ask me "what do you do?" I of course, knew what they meant and I answered. However, then I began asking them about had they been to an alum lunch before, how long had they been a graduate. They are all hard working kids, who had probably been to very few if any lunches, yet they flashed their cards in my face and asked me about my insurance/investing. They were eager to talk about their "positions." Because they are still new and a title defines them. They've probably never been fired, laid off, downsized or let down--yet.

Sometimes we all get caught up and let others define us. We let what car we drive, where we live and even what our church positions define us. We buy $25.00 tweezers because there is no price and you like leopard print. But, its just a pair of tweezers/job/car. A better title to define me is, friend, sister, daughter, best looking person you know. (come on do you really thing I wouldn't crack a joke).