Tulip Festival

We went to the Tulip Festival on Saturday at Thanksgiving Point. Ever since we moved to Salt Lake I've wanted to go. My sweet honey didn't put up a fight but my hopes were nearly dashed when I saw news coverage of the festival at the beginning of April and found that there was not a single BLOOMED tulip (due to the cold weather)! Well, we waited until the last day and were utterly pleased to find that there were beautiful tulips galore! Despite the wind and people, we had a really great time. There were several different themed gardens, festivities, and treats that made the trip worth while! Jessie, Jackie and Diedre came along too!

Like I said, TULIPS GALORE!!

I had never seen so many exotic-colored tulips. I'm certain there was a tulip for every color in the spectrum Picturesque Landscape! Ah haha. This is Todd pretending to be a Caveman
The Perfume Garden
Todd couldn't wait to go to the bathroom :O
The Secret Garden
The hidden passageway to the secret garden (Jackie made us kiss!)
We had the yummiest homemade donuts w/ dipping sauce and Todd had this ginourmous ice cream sandwich! (I had to bribe him for coming) Ahhh, beauty
A recreation of The Monet bridge...I was very excited to see this bc Monet is my favorite artist hands down
Yay for TULIPS!

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We also went to the IMAX, The Human Body that night. It was fun bc we went with the whole fam dam. As for the film, I'd say it was just okay. Don't get me wrong...I thought the idea and cinematography was pretty cool. I was just disappointed that they did show more of the complex functions of the body. Like how neural synapses have the ability to evolve, etc. I just thought that since the theme of the movie was just how magnificent our body is, they could have sold it better by talking about the less-know, highly sophisticated functions of our body....Just my thoughts.

One last hirrah

We had a big farewell party at the Skybox on Friday night. The party was for all SW grads but our little "group" of friends went just to spend some time with each other and to say goodbye. I just love the friends I've made here. They are the very best and I love them. Hope to stay friends into old age. I could go on and on but basicaly, we had a great night with each other and spouses. THANKS FOR THE GOOD TIMES EVERYONE!. BEST OF LUCK (especially to Sheree since she's due to have a baby in a few days!)! HERE'S TO MANY MORE!!

Yet Another Farewell

I said another very large goodbye on Thursday....to my hair!
I cut 11 inches off my hair and donated it to

LOCKS OF LOVE.
This was a huge thing for me. I have NEVER had even mildly short hair. the idea started with me just wanting to get a new look and something a bit shorter for the summer. Then, I realized I could have that AND donate it. I had this great idea before I knew locks of love requires a minimum of 10 inches...THAT IS A CRAP LOAD OF HAIR. The reason they require 10 inches is bc most wigs are for little girls who all want long hair. Once I read that it was too late....I had to donate. I started thinking about all those sweet little girls who have cancer etc. and want long hair. How could I not sacrifice the long hair I've had all of my life to help a little one? Did you know it takes 8-10 ponytails of 10 inches to make ONE wig? That's insane right? Anyway, it was pretty gut wrenching when my hair dresser did the big chop, but i survived and since then I've really liked short hair. I cut a total of 11 inches off and my hair is now just above my chin! It won't even go in a ponytail!! I felt cool wind on my neck for the first time yesterday and about flipped! There's many perks to short hair including less shower time and shampoo usage.

My meager contribution.

Another Farewell

I finished up my internship on Thursday. I am officially done being an intern FOREVER! I've spent a lot of time getting to know my fellow interns both in Social Work and PhD Psychology. It was hard to say goodbye to all of them. It was also surprisingly hard to say goodbye to The Counseling Center. I have spent so much time there the last year. It's funny but I was really sad when I was packing up my office and saying farewell. I guess it's all a part of the process. Here's some pics from a nice luncheon they had for us on Thursday.

My Fellow SW Interns

The best part of getting to know the Psych Interns has been getting to know my now dear friend Mindy. We really are kindred spirits. It will be hard when she moves back to Michigan.

Its on

Its official. Todd and I renewed our BYU Football Season Tickets yesterday. We just signed another fall season of our lives away! Todd giggled with flee when I called to tell him I renewed them. He said it can count as my anniversary present to him and for his b-day. NOT BAD! CHEERS!

This week's movie review: Margot at the Wedding

This is the first time I've spoken about a movie I didn't like but I just had to warn my readers to avoid this movie like the plague. It had all the components to be my kind of movie...quirky actors (Nicole Kidman, Jack Black), character-ridden dialogue, and an intriguing plot, but it just didn't do it for me. I read a review that equated watching it to swallowing a cup of cold gravel. That pretty much sums it up for me. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate aggravating movies that challenge your perceptions. This however just caused pain. Maybe bc the main character was borderline...just my thoughts.

Nerds R US

Todd and I indulged the nerd in us today and went to The Clark Planetarium to watch the IMAX, "Mummies, Secrets of the Pharaohs". This movie was so interesting and wonderful!. The film follows a scientist's journey in uncovering the secrets behind Mummification. The story toggles btw the rein of The Pharaoh, Ramses and a modern day scientist who actually mummifies a body donated to science in order to understand and uncover the secrets of Mummification that have preserved bodies for millions of years! This, done to better understand ancient diseases like Malaria in hopes of finding a cure today! In watching the film I couldn't stop thinking about the level of sophistication of the Egyptians and just how insane it was! It was also interesting to understand more about the Egyptian's rationale for mummifying. I have to say, there are a lot of parallels btw their philosophies of the afterlife and ours. Interesting! We also had fun brushing up on our knowledge of the Solar System and other nerdy things! WE HAD SO MUCH FUN!

p.s. Salt Lake dwellers need to go! All IMAX tickets are 5 bucks for the month of April (for their anniversary). Check it out! We plan to go to The Human Body next week!

I know what you readers who know both Todd and I are thinking; that I pulled Todd's arm to go...but that's JUST NOT TRUE! We both randomly decided it'd be fun...and he loved it! He did call me a nerd a lot though :)
Todd really enjoyed the movie! We went to the MOON!!

I went to MARS Cool solar system-looking ceiling...I want my kids' room to be like this! Ahhh. Majestic Earth
Todd in front of "Ur-Anus". Oh my.Me in front of Saturn...It's my favorite planetHow stars are born. I have to admit..I think Nebula's are pretty bitchinPracticing being a Weather Forecaster! He was doing the swirly hand motions and all. HAHA. See him in both monitors? The Pendulum illustrating Earth's rotation. I don't care who you are...this is cool!Hubble babyGiant Mouse TRAPGift Shop FUN

CHEERS TO THE NERD!

BZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz

We went to the BEE's GAME on Friday! Shauna hooked us up with her offices' tickets. We had awesome seats! Row 3 just behind first base. Good thing nobody overthrew it! We did have a few foul balls come our way though! In fact, I nearly caught one but this 40 year-old child yanked my arm back trying to catch it. Ha ha what a loser! At least a little kid ended up getting it in the end!. We had alot of fun cheering on the team, eating dogs and garlic fries and enjoying the nice weather! It was a really good game (I actually paid attention). Thanks Scott and Shauna!

Farewell

It's time. It's time to make that post I thought would forever remain in the theoretical. Countdown zero. Thursday at 8pm, I said farewell to this building that has hosted my life for the last two years. It truly seems like it has been my home forever. Man these walls have held a lot; it has brought me together with friends of a kindred spirit, friends I hope to have into old age, it has opened my mind into realms of thinking and functioning that I never knew possible, and has completely restructured and challenged my ideas about life, meaning and purpose. Doesn't get much bigger than that. It still hasn't set in yet, I'm sure I'll be happy and sad when it does. Time to start being an adult. Sigh.

~Some of my fondest (and not-so-fondest) memories~

• Presenting our research to the legislature on Capital Hill. Senator Hickman challenged us, legislators argued, lobbyists attacked me for copies of our research, we were in the Trib and Deseret news.
• Project Reality. 6 am. Methadone. Drug Addicts. Needles. Heroin. Pregnant Women. Dealing in the Parking Lot. Mersa. Personality Disorders. Abscesses. Doing Therapy for the First Time. Drawing Blood from the NECK. Pain. Suffering. Survivors. Strength. Change.
• Diversity. White Privilege. Feeling oppressed for Being LDS. Feminism. LGBTQ. RAGE.
• Social Policy. Evil Lesbian. Writing Social Policy. Pop Quizzes from HELL
• Practice. In-vivo Group Therapy. WOW. Theory. Therapy.
• Others. Crazy. TMI. Need Therapy More Than Their Clients. No Professionalism.
• Friends. Lifesavers. Peers. Soul Sisters & Brothers. Support. LOVE. Wedding Dress Shopping. The Bayou. Gossip. Marriage. Pregnancy. DRAMA
• Time. Robbed. Writing Papers During Lunch. Working all day Only to Do Homework at Night. 40 Hour Work Weeks. Full Course Load. Multi-tasking.
• Research Assistant. Free Tuition. Sweet Hook-up. Opportunity. Salary. Writing, Writing, Writing. Reading Study After Study. Lit Searches. Getting Published. Making my Own Hours. Open Doors.
• University Counseling Center. Individual & Group Therapy. Becoming a Therapist. Professionalism. POLITICS. Image. Hierarchy. My Own Office. Outsider. YUPPIES. Growth. Recognition. Appreciation. Honor. Helping Students.

I'm now laughing that I took this pic. It was my first real office w/ my name on the door! It was so handy to have an office in the SW building. Then, we got moved to a CUBICLE. Pretty Depressing. Chaos. The view from the Cube. That's bird pooh.

My office at the Counseling Center. Big nice plaque w/ my name on it. Movin up in the world!

Inside my Office...where the "magic" happensFellow Interns. The Last Day of Class :) Just LOVE these GIRLS! Ha Ha Ha. Us and our crazy old man teacher. We just had to take a photo! Sheree, Me, Crazy, Kay and Jenn. (We didn't get Dan and Justin in the pic who r our other dear friends)

Well....THAT'S IT!

Happy graduation TO ME!

Todd was definitely feeling my love language this week!!! Allow me to explain...So I have this new obsession with KSL Classifieds. I check them daily. About 4 weeks ago I saw this red sectional on there that I REALLY wanted. It was for $1200 so I sorta lost interest (remember I'm a tight wad). THEN, four days ago it reappeared for $800. Since that time I've been hinting in a not-so-subtle way that I REALLY wanted it. On Thursday, I texted him that I wanted it for graduation. Funny enough...he already had it planned! So we set out Sat to get them, but of course (remember I'm over analytical) we first had to price it out. Believe it or not, we found the EXACT couch at RC Willey's that was on major clearance! So, after bartering with the KSL seller went no where, it was more frugal to go with the new one! It was crazy cheap (this is me justifying the vanity in me). But the moral of the story is how SWEET is my honey?!? He did everything to the planning, shopping, and delivering. Aside from a few trips to the doggie park, we spent the entire weekend lounging on it! We watched like three movies, I did homework and work AND I actually addressed my graduation announcements. It's also very timely bc our old couch is now broken to the point that the frame has put a HUGE hole in the wall!

THANKS HONEY! GRADUATION PRESENTS ARE FUN!

This week's movie review (he he)

We just loved this movie! The Chipmunk Adventures was my FAVORITE movie as a child. We recorded it off the TV and I remember watching that sucker until the video wore out! It's crazy to see how much technology has changed since then...I officially feel old!

I swear this is the last post about our dog (for awhile)

Our bugga lacks culture. He does not appreciate Opera (I think he gets it from his dad). The video is kinda slow at parts but you have to be patient bc it gets really funny in the middle ish.

***Pause my music off to the right before playing it***

Things money can buy

Chewed cellphone and computer chargers: 50 Dollars De-wickered basket: 35 Dollars
2 pairs flip flops, 1 pair crocks, two pairs slippers and 1 pair high heels w/ bite marks: 150 Dollars
Holey pj's, levi's, hoodie, and corduroy jacket: 200 Dollars
Assortment of Doggie Treats: 30 Dollars
Assortment of doggie toys: 30 DollarsEducation texts (a necessity): 20 Dollars Waking up to this face on your pillow:

TOO DAMN EXPENSIVE!!!!!

GQ

Look out ladies, Ty is bringing his sexy back. His Aunties (Jackie and Diedre) bought him a green polo that is just plain sexy. He has worn it to Sugar House Park twice, Tanner Park, and various school yards around our neighborhood. The female dogs can't stay away.


As a side note, We are pumped we got this look on camera...he does it when he's contemplative or something...he just cocks his head and looks at us like "what?".

P.S. I realize this post crosses the threshold of acceptable pet conversations. We're now that pathetic couple who can only talk about their dog's "looks". I'm okay with it though.

POP THE COLLAR

Last Griz Game

We also went to the LAST GRIZZLY GAME OF THE SEASON while J & D were here. It was a really good game (okay, i just repeat what I hear, i probably only watched 1/3rd of it...I was too busy watching the CRAZY martial dynamics of this couple and random third wheel guy in front of us). It was fun nonetheless!

Not really sure why anymore, but all the different College Mascots were there. Seein Big BLUE brought back fond memories. :)

Firsthand Serenade

Last Wednesday, our niece and friends Jackie and Deidre came down for a weekend fun. That night, we got a firsthand serenade from one of my favorite bands, SECONDHAND SERENADE. They came to the Avalon Theatre which is this little hole-in-the-wall theatre just down the street from our house. We had so much fun. There was actually three bands there; White Tie Affair and Making April. It was my first time hearing White Tie Affair and can I just say they were bad ass.

Back to the main event, Secondhand was FANTASTIC. I was severely obsessed with their music last summer and i had forgotten how much I like them (actually it's just one guy but still). Love his harmonious sound. Sounded as good live as it does recorded which is the major test to me! Check them out if you haven't!

Here's some pics from the night....

White Tie Affair
Lead singer of White Tie Affair (Deidre even made a sexually suggestive comment to him, it was awesome)

Lead singer, Secondhand Serenade
Rear View; They forced me to take it!


Todd had a night class but made it for Secondhand.

It was well worth going to class the next day on 5 hours of sleep!

Days until the end of suffering

7. 7 beautiful days left until my life gets slightly better. True, I still have to stay at my Internship until the 23rd (which is the primary source of my suffering); I will take any alleviation I can get. I will also still be staying at my other job for the standard 20 hours, but after 20 hours there, 20 hours (or more) at the internship, and a full time course load, 40 hours seems like heaven.

Now, I fear this conversation might lead people to ask, "what's next"? To that I say kindly, DON'T ASK. "whats next" is still in the theoretical.

Just focusing on the here and now...the fact that I'm in the middle of class now should be quite telling. Only 7 more hours of class left today...ish. Now, I get to go propose a grant we wrote. Rock on.

Until next you slowly fading deamon-countdown!

I solemly pray

Dear lord,
Please oh please, if I could ask you for anything, send me a cloned version of this child someday. She has cured by fears for the future. From now on, whenever I hear concerns about today's children's' education, discipline or abilities; I will simply watch her sing every word of the poetic Cake... fit with hand gestures and all.



P.S. This is a kid from my program's niece

Eleven

I've avoided mentioning this until now for fear that speaking of it overtly will cause my brain to shut down completely. But, its time.

11
DAYS
LEFT
UNTIL
MY LAST
DAY OF CLASS
FOREVER!!! (maybe)


LET THE COUNT DOWN BEGIN!!

Cruelty

This just in...
My baby has a beard.
Now I know what it must be like to hear your child has sex.