Things I am currently Loving

It took me two years to get through the novel Jane Eyre. Well really it took me a year to get through the first half of the book and apparently I laid it down right at the best part, so when I finally picked it up again- I flew through it. Go figure.

Anyhow, it really is a great story, it really is, but I've never seen a great film adaptation of it-until now.

I have watched this masterpiece (4 hours running time) twice in the last couple of weeks- and I wouldn't be surprised if I started it again.

Love it.

I have to thank my sister for the great recommendation and I really have spread the love, so I'm telling you if you haven't seen this version, check it out now! I promise you will not be disappointed. I mean just look at that cover! Mr. Rochester definitely got my attention :).

In completely unrelated loves, my new found workout bff is none other than Ms. Jillian Michaels. And yes, here is a shout out to my real BFF Michelle, who made me do this work out with her in Utah- and look Michelle, I'm hooked!

I have told everyone I know about this DVD. It's a 2o minute workout and no joke, she kicks your butt! I love it!

So with the help of Ms. Michaels (available online or any Target or Wal-Mart) and a little thing called eating healthy (and maybe an unofficial following of WW), I have lost 11 pounds and counting in the last two months! What can I say? That high school reunion is around the corner and I gotta get this body in check.

Haha.

Anyhow, as you can tell I really am loving these 2 Dvds at the moment and I just had to share.
What are you currently loving?

Easter

It has been a beautiful Easter weekend.

The weather is gorgeous, the sun in shining and the hope in the air is almost palpable.

I am so grateful for this time of year and the opportunity I have to reflect on my Savior Jesus Christ. I know that He suffered and died for me and I know that He rose from the dead that 3rd day. He knows me and He loves me. He lives and because of His atonement I am able to return and live with Him again. I am never alone.

This weekend has also been the General Conference of my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Where we are able to hear the words and testimonies of modern day prophets and apostles. It was a wonderful conference.

The link below is to a video of a talk that was given a couple of Conferences ago, that I really feel embodies the Easter message. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpFhS0dAduc

Happy Easter!

Enjoying My City

I went on a date. Calm yourself. It was with this lovely lady below- Kate. Now really calm yourself, it was just a girlie date- though there may be a second ;).

Ha ha. So Kate and I go to church together and we always chat when we see each other and I just think she is great, so finally after a meeting last week we were talking and decided we needed to hang out. Well I was headed to Vegas and she had things going on, so we set up a time and made a plan. Planned, Paired up and Paid for= Date.

This is just how my life is going to go from now on. I seem to never be in town so things just can't really happen naturally, I gotta make plans for the people I want to spend time with. Such is life. Anyhow, Kate is far more adventurous than me (she recently returned from a trip to Malaysia!) so she chose an Ethiopian restaurant for dinner. Here we are with our food. Please take note- There is NO siliverware.

It really was good food, though the bread (injera) did have a spongy texture which kinda threw me. Either way, it was an experience and Kate and I had a great time.
Besides eating new African food, I made it into the District for the National Cherry Blossom Festival with Julie and enjoyed the gorgeous blossoms. Seriously, it really is a site to see.

That would be the Jefferson Memorial behind me.

There are a lot of people everywhere during the Festival. Julie and I headed down Friday afternoon right after work and it was perfect. Though heading home wasn't so much, the metro was backed up forever...so we walked. Yup roughly 4+miles in flip flops.

I love this photo.

I was playing with my new camera and there is a close-up option which is why this shot is so beautiful! (If I can say that about my own photo!)

Another one. These blossoms are no joke.

As we began our stroll home we stumbled upon this stump...

It made me laugh because we endured the same blizzard and it really did take its toll on the city. Luckily though, Spring has come and the memories of snowy days are fading fast.

More Cherry Blossoms, oh and that would be the Washington Monument too :).

Beginning of the sunset on the Tidal Basin.

Walking home.

Random shot I know...but our walk home takes us right by DCA and what can I say, I feel like I live there, so watching this plane land just reminds me of my life recently. (Plus, isn't it amazing that we can be so close to the planes as they're landing?!)

Walking home over the 14th Street Bridge which covers the Potomac River. We thought this was a cool picture because we couldn't figure out what the light was to the left of the sun.

Wow, this looks familiar!

(the shot on the top of the blog is looking out over Paris from the Eiffel Tower-ya this one's not as cool, but hey I was taking in DC)

I really do love this town and the people here. So many great friends and so many great things to do. I really need to make the most of it and with Spring in the air I'm feeling the energy to do it. Amazing how a change of season and a few flowers can just bring the life back to everything.

I love it.

Hello DC, I've missed you.

Vegas Diamond Style

I can't even count the times I've been to Vegas. I can tell you that I really dislike Vegas. So when the time came to go again for a workshop for work, I didn't think I would survive.

Luckily, Krista, Ashley & Cafe Rio came to the rescue and made this trip, my absolute favorite Vegas trip thus far (don't you worry, I'll have to go that cess pool again I'm sure of it).

I googled Cafe Rio and found there was one a mere 15 minutes from my hotel and even though the girls were en route w/ a car, I hopped into a cab and picked up an order. The most expensive dinner I've had in a while. And worth-every-penny. No. Doubt.

Out on the town. John Mayer (thank you Nathan!!) concert at the Mandalay Bay Hotel.
Oh wait, Cafe Rio, again?! Heck yes! Have I mentioned that this is my favorite food EVER. Yes I am eating healthier, which is why I was drinking a Diet Dr Pepper ;)

John Mayer. I gotta tell you, I really think this guy is a tool. Straight up. However, he can sing (even if he makes the craziest faces! I had never seen him live before) and puts on a pretty dang good show.

Rocking out.

Though John Mayer did tear up the night, I gotta tell you...I tore up the weekend! Ha ha. This workshop was my first time teaching the full 2 days and the major portions of the workshop (not just a break out class-as I did in December). My bosses were happy and I got great feedback from my classes. Plus the Chairman of the Commission came up to me and praised my teaching, which just made my day.

All in all I did well and I am so happy it's over. Oh and did I mention what Krista and Ashley were doing while I was kicking my butt teaching 200+ Cosmetology School Owners?

Lounging by the pool, relaxing in the spa & inhaling everything at the buffet- all in the name of my hard-earned Hilton Diamond Status.

Glad at least someone was able to enjoy the perks ;)

Answering the Call

My parents are pretty amazing. Plain and simple. They are what my friend E.T. (yes that's his nickname, a whole other story there) calls "Swoopers", they love to swoop down and help their children. Never mind the fact that they live on another continent now.

So when Melissa decided to move the end of March, out of her condo and into a new rental home in St. Augustine and my parents were unable to be there because of previous commitments- the B team was called in.

Nathan, Joe and I flew into Jacksonville and packed, moved and unpacked Melissa and the boys in what was a complete whirlwind of a weekend. Even though I was completely exhausted by the end of it all, it was one of the greatest memories I now have with my siblings. Being able to serve and work together was a beautiful bonding experience, and we had a heckuva good time.

As a preliminary "thank you" of sorts, Melissa bought us all tickets to see the Harlem Globetrotters. It was actually really funny and Vince was thoroughly entertained.
So stinking cute.

You can't tell we're family, can you? Ha ha. I love how much Joe and Nathan look alike in this shot and I just love to watch my brothers with our nephews, they simply adore them. But hey, who doesn't? Have you seen how cute these kids are?!

This was taken in the new house and at the end of the mayhem, considering Vince was at a friend's house the whole day, you wouldn't think he would have been tired of all the moving- but he was :)

Work, work and more work.

It really was an exhausting weekend. I don't do enough manual labor I guess. No matter, it was a great weekend and I'm so grateful we were able to help Melissa get set up in her new place.

And even if we were the second string, I think we did a good job. I think my parents would've been proud.

New England

I finally made it up to the New England area for work. It's a part of the country that I've never been and so when I got the opportunity to visit Maine and Connecticut- I was all for it.

We (my team and I) were supposed to fly from Maine to Connecticut but a cancelled flight gave me the opportunity to drive from Augusta to Hartford and ride a part of I-95 I never get to (that's the road I take from my house to my sister's in Jacksonville, it's a straight shot). Not only was I hitting up Maine and Connecticut, two states I've never visited, but I also got to squeeze in New Hampshire. 3 states down, only 7 more of the 50 to see.

Portland Head Light off the coast of Maine. It was a picturesque day and this light house was beautiful- the picture doesn't do it justice.
Beautiful.

New England Clam Chowder in New Hampshire. How perfect is that? Oh and did I mention it was delicious?!

Sidenote: I got bumped up into a 2 bedroom suite w/ a fireplace at one of our hotels. It was a pretty nice set up, too bad it only happens in places where I don't know anyone.

Little white chapels everywhere. Welcome to New England!

Yeah, not even sure what the Tate House is/was..but here it is!

I'm guessing it's just an old house that's been preserved, which is actually pretty beautiful.

It was a really good week. I love when work takes me places I've never seen and though it was a bit chilly (I'll definitely need to revisit in the Summer) I am a fan.

Dancing The Night Away

I love to dance. This is no surprise to most of you. I have been known to bust a move with just a little bit of music; what can I say? It's a passion. Now, I'm not saying I'm a good dancer, but I do love to shake it.

Well my roommates had planned a Dance Party for my birthday, but then Snomageddon hit and life was literally frozen. Once we dug out and the city was up and running once more, we attempted a Dance Party in our front room...and it was AWESOME. I danced all night...no exaggeration...literally, all night. My wonderful and amazing friend Deana DJed and she was incredible. Every song was danceable and we shook it all night long.

The following pictures are just a sampling of the mayhem that ensued that night and unfortunately since I am apparently a blogger novice, I uploaded the pictures in reverse. So the ridiculously sweaty (what can I say? I cannot hold back when it comes to dancing- I was sore all over the next day. I mean 3 hours of cardio can do a girl in) monster that you see wasn't quite how I started :).

Yeah, the impromptu "headband" is actually a scarf.
Mixing it up with K Weed. That girl can really move.

A little serenade for the birthday. What girl doesn't appreciate a little song every once in a while? :)

Don't mind the grease monkey in the middle; but these girls are such great roommates. I adore them.

These boys crack me up. They pretend to be shy on the dance floor, but everytime we've got music on -there they are shaking it.

Getting on down.

And this would be how it all started. Just a few of us having a good time. It really was such a great night. I needed to dance, it had been way too long since I just let it all out and I loved every minute of it.