My Worst Habit

The date of my last post (February 28, 2012) is an example of my worst habit: procrastination.  I should also be doing homework right now, but instead, I am updating this blog I have not visited in quite some time.  I have battled this habit for years, but I have not yet been successful at breaking it, unfortunately.  It is just so hard to focus sometimes.  If you have any suggestions, please feel free to share them.

Bonus challenge!  I used to be a pyromaniac (most boys, especially Scouts, are) - a bad habit I broke before any (permanent) damage was done.  I am still a little fascinated with fire (in fact, I recently walked with some friends to a fire in a nearby neighborhood on the night of July 4).  I thought this picture I took (using Instagram) at The Red Door a few weeks ago was pretty:

Take A Picture, It Will Last Longer

I could not let February end without blogging at least once.  At least I broke last year's record.  :-)

I am completing three photocentric challenges tonight: #7, #10, and #11.

#7 - A photo that makes me happy.

This photo was taken a few days before Halloween last year.  It makes me happy because four of my favorite people are in it (at least partially...), and obviously, we were having a really good time.

#10 - A photo taken over 10 years ago of me. 

I am not sure where or when this picture was taken, but I know it was more than 10 years ago.  I think I kind of look like Freddie Highmore.

#11 - A recent photo of me.

A new friend took this picture a few weeks ago.  We found my doppelganger!  I still have the bottle, and I display it proudly.

My Wallet

I doubt this post will be as interesting as others I have written, but blogging about what is in my wallet is one of the challenges.  So, without further ado...

- Associate discount card

- Insurance cards

- Receipts

- Two credit cards

- Debit card

- Picture of my mom

- Driver's license

- Information card

- Del Taco coupon for a free taco

- Subway frequent diner card

- Two Starbucks gift cards

- Two Cafe Rio frequent diner cards

- Fantastic Sams "Haircut Bonus Club" card

- HoGwilD Grill frequent diner card (which I will now dispose of; this restaurant recently closed)

- Men's Wearhouse "Perfect Fit" reward card

/cliffhanger

This post is a continuation of One Amazing Week.

Sunday (January 22)

My day began with a farewell.  My nephew Nick, who is leaving for the California Arcadia Mission tomorrow, and his brother Conner spoke.  Although we may not always agree or believe the same things, I am very proud of both of them, and I enjoyed listening to them.  Afterward, we went to a recreation center for lunch.  It was nice visiting with family.

After a brief stop home, I excitedly, yet nervously began the drive to pick up my date.  When I arrived, I knocked on the door -- no answer.  I called his phone -- no answer.  Dejected, I left.

I texted a few friends and vented with Mike and his girlfriend Gina when I got home.  Then, he called.  He apologized and explained he was out with his friends longer than he expected and his phone died, so he could not text me.  He felt horrible and asked if we could reschedule the date to later that night.  I picked him up a few hours later.

We drove to Pipa for dinner, but they were closed, so we went to Simply Sushi instead.  We then drove through the Avenues to see the view of the city lit up, like Mike and I did earlier that week.  We then went back to my house and watched The Room (one of the best worst movies I have ever seen) and two episodes of Adventure Time.  After that, I drove him home.

We sat in his driveway for a minute, and he said he had a really good time.  We talked about going out again, and then we hugged.  He paused a second before opening the car door and said, "I really want to kiss you, but I don't know if you want me to."

I replied, with a big grin on my face, "I'll kiss you!"

A few seconds later, he exited the car, and I drove home.  He texted me a few hours later, "Thanks again for the awesome date."

I am seeing him again this Thursday.  I cannot wait.  :-)

One Amazing Week

The last entry was depressing to write (as well as read), so I will make it up to everyone by sharing with you the events of last week, which ended on a very high note...

Monday (January 16)

I was the closing Manager-on-Duty (MOD), and when I got home, my roommate Mike and I ordered a lot of delicious Chinese food from China Village.  The rest of the night was a blur, but I think we watched Community and How I Met Your Mother.

Tuesday (January 17)

I closed again, but only because I gave my friend Zac a ride from work to my house.  My friend Aubry came over as well, and then we went out to dinner at Akasaka for her birthday.

Wednesday (January 18)

I worked.  That night, Mike and I watched Community, How I Met Your Mother, and Glee, which made me cry.  A lot.

Thursday (January 19)

I had quite a few meetings at work.  That night, I went on a date with someone I met on OKCupid.  We walked from his condo to Eva, and I fell in love...with the restaurant.  Even though I felt like we did not click, he was very nice and I enjoyed getting to know him.  Afterward, Mike and I went for a drive to the Avenues to see the view of the city lit up.  We then drove through City Creek Canyon, passing by the beautiful Capitol Building, and then parked downtown.  We briefly visited with our friend Kyle where he works at the Hotel Monaco, and then we walked around the City Creek Mall development for awhile.    

Friday (January 20)

I was closing MOD again, and I had to deal with drama I had not encountered before, but it was more humorous than stressful.  After work, Aubry came over again and we talked for awhile before going to dinner at Pipa with our friend Bryan and his husband.  Afterward, we went to Jam, but we decided to leave after about an hour there.  We drove to Metro, but it looked empty.  We talked about going across the street to Club Sound where our friend James was working, but since their dance floor is open to everyone 18 and older, we decided to go to a more adult bar.  So, we went to Try-Angles.  We sat at a table near the dance floor drinking cocktails.  Then, he walked in...

He sat down at a table a few feet from ours, and I was immediately attracted to him.  He sipped his drink and looked somewhat melancholy.  A few minutes later, he left, and I felt like I had missed an opportunity.  Fortunately, he came back, and Bryan and I got up to dance.  I saw the guy looking at me and I smiled.  He smiled, stood up, took off his jacket, and danced over to me.  Bryan went and sat back down at our table while I got to know this new person.  We danced and talked until the bar closed.  We exchanged numbers and made plans to go out Sunday.  Aubry and I then drove him home.

Saturday (January 21)

Mike and I went grocery shopping and then visited a friend.  That night, our friends Deborah and Christa came over for our weekly adventure.  This time, we went to dinner at Eva (I told you I fell in love) and while we waited for a table, we went next door for a few drinks at Cheers to You.  Afterward, we went to Tavernacle, where we met up with Christa's friend Jeff.  We drank, talked, and had a really good time.

Sunday (January 22)

Most of you already know the story, but I will save this day for the next blog...  :-)

Three Down...

I feel I need to preface this post with how I have been feeling to somewhat explain why I chose to complete these three challenges.  This week was more difficult than anticipated.  I had a lot of fun with friends, but truth be told, I really miss being in a relationship.  Despite the significant problems that were evident from the beginning, there was nothing better than venting to my husband after a long day at work, planning a future and spending time together, and sleeping next to and cuddling with the one I loved.

So, here is a photo that makes me both angry and sad, a song that makes me cry (or nearly cry), and the music video on YouTube.

One of my favorite pictures of us together.
Taken August 2006 in Pacific City, Oregon

The song is "Only One" by Yellowcard.  We sang it together on our first date, as Sean describes here, and it became one of our songs.  It seems more applicable and significant now than it did then...



Please do not get me wrong; although I miss the relationship, I recognize the first few weeks are the most difficult, and I realize better times are ahead.

The Blog Challenge Revisited

Quite some time ago, I posted The Blog Challenge and the list of 30 topics.  My goal was to complete one or two a week, but that did not happen...  So, I am going to try it again.  Again, the topics are numbered, but I will do them in no particular order.  Here is the list again:

The Blog Challenge Topics:

#01 - my favorite song
#02 - my favorite movie
#03 - my favorite television program
#04 - my favorite book
#05 - my favorite quote
#06 - 20 of my favorite things
#07 - a photo that makes me happy
#08 - a photo that makes me angry/sad
#09 - a photo I took
#10 - a photo taken over 10 years ago of me
#11 - a recent photo of me
#12 - something I am OCD about
#13 - a fictional book
#14 - a non-fictional book
#15 - my dream house
#16 - a song that makes me cry (or nearly cry)
#17 - a piece of art (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc.)
#18 - my wedding
#19 - a talent of mine
#20 - a hobby of mine
#21 - a recipe
#22 - a website
#23 - a Youtube video
#24 - where I live
#25 - my day, in great detail
#26 - my week, in great detail
#27 - my worst habit
#28 - what is in my wallet
#29 - hopes, dreams, and plans for the next 365 days
#30 - a dream for the future

New Beginnings

Happy New Year!  I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable holiday.  I did, despite spending way too much money, as well as a few unfortunate mishaps.  It was my first time hosting an adult party on New Year's Eve, so I learned a few lessons, but I enjoyed celebrating the end of 2011 with good food, drinks, and friends.

I have not committed to any resolutions (yet), but I do intend to blog more.  I also plan on excercising more and watching what I eat, not to lose weight, but to stay physically healthy.  I will post a list of my goals, if I get around to making some.

A lot has happened since the last time I posted an actual update.  I went on three vacations (New York City, New York; Oceanside, California; and Capitol Reef National Park, Utah), I turned 27 (no, I am not looking forward to turning 30), I put my cat down (Sean did a good job documenting his life on his blog, Cocoa (1996 - 2011): Tribute to a FAT CAT!), and the person who broke into our house was caught (but nothing was recovered).  The biggest change happened more recently.
 
As most of you know, Sean and I are no longer together.  I do not enjoy airing dirty laundry or posting passive aggressive comments on a public blog/website such as mine (at least for now; I may make it private, but I would rather not do that), so I will not say anything more about this, but if you want to know why (from my perspective, of course), I would not mind explaining over dinner or drinks.  I will say I am certainly sad the relationship (including, it seems, the friendship) ended, but I am not depressed, and for the most part, I am happier.  The good that has and will come of this experience far outweighs the bad.

This year will definitely be full of "new" -- new people, new places, new adventures, new opportunities, new beginnings -- and I am looking forward to it.