Day #39

Today I went and visited my friend Carrie and her new baby Isaac.

He's pretty cute! And it was fun to catch up with Carrie and do some teacher talk. She's even attempting a set-up with her brother-in-law..which I this point in the game, I won't refuse!

This is the view from Carrie's street, and I'm more than a little jealous.

Then I happened to be in the right place at the right time, because my cousins Tori and Charla went back to Nashville today, and I got to their mom's house just as they were getting ready to go. I will miss them a lot..it was so good having them here. Because everyone was leaving, they sent me home with some of the contents of the fridge, and this was what I created.

Good to the last...

bite!

'Sun-roasted tomato shaved turkey breast shines on this sandwich. It's base is a nine-grain bread featuring succulent yellow tomatoes, red-leafed lettuce, onions and thinly sliced apples. Avocado adds a creamy finish.'

-from Moments in Melissa's Kitchen

Later...

 another beautiful sunset--Provo style.

And now for something completely different...

Zumba!

Not only was it akin to 'chillin' in da club' in terms of lighting,  it takes place at Sweet's Island Place-

a Hawaiian restaurant here in town.

 The restaurant was awesome, and they even had a little stage for live music.

I'll probably go back and try it before I go home.

As a side note, I found a place to live when I get home to Vegas...it's down the street from my friend Becky's house (she's the one who told me about it), and it's super close to school and work..exactly what I need. The deal was too good to pass up, so I took it, sight unseen. I will be living with an older lady so she doesn't have to live alone. She sounded fabulous and funny on the phone, and I think it will be a win-win for us both.  I was surprised that I was so willing to do it. I really did want to live with someone my own age, but I've found myself just saying yes impulsively to big changes in my life: my new job next year, my move to Provo, leaving the west side of town, now living in the heart of the city (which frankly scares me more than anything). Everything else has worked out OK so far..we'll see what happens next! I've over-analyzed so many decisions in the past, and it didn't prevent bad things from happening or challenges from arising like I thought they would, so I'll try something else. My thought is if I don't over think it, then if something does go wrong, I'll just work around it, rather than be mad at myself for trying to prevent the problem and not being able to succeed. I can handle problems so much better when I haven't tried to solve them before they happen. It's bizarro thinking, but it's working so far, and gets rid of a lot of the worrying.

Time Warp #2 -Lasik

These are probably the most expensive sunglasses I've ever purchased!

I got LASIK eye surgery.

 I've been wanting to do it for a long time, and what better time than now? My darling friend Lauren picked me up and waited with me..bless her! (And it was even April GC weekend..thanks for taking one for the Conference team and serving your fellow (wo)man. Heavenly points! That was at least a wall for your celestial garden;) Then my mom came and took care of me..(and bought me Cafe Rio-the most amazing pork burrito I have ever eaten that has yet to be duplicated) because that's what awesome moms do.

I did it for the sunglasses. I love wearing sunglasses!

(and me..because I was tired of looking 12 years old)

Maybe when I'm braver, I'll post the two pictures that made me decide to get LASIK..

the one where I'm 12 with poofed up hair and HUGE glasses,

AND

the one where I'm 30  with poof hair and glasses..

AND I LOOKED EXACTLY THE SAME.

 Sign me up, Siems..I'll pay whatever you ask to show I've evolved:)

 I haven't regretted it for a second.

#38 So fresh...

In the kitchen...

One...

Two...

Delicious!

(Portobello sandwich, sweet potato tortilla chips, and cherries from a tree in Payson some friends picked.)

I got the idea for this sandwich from my friend Marleen's blog (http://simplyhealthful-recipes.blogspot.com/).
  Ingredients:
Portobello Mushroom Caps (cooked until soft in the oven at 375 with a little bit of blue cheese, italian seasoning and a little olive oil.) Yes..this is the bread!

Then I layered the following:
Roma tomatoes
Yellow tomatoes
Basil from my roommates basil plant
Spinach
Onions (I used a yellow one, but I would have rather used a red one)
Avocado with fresh cracked pepper and sea salt

And outside...

"Did someone have an accident?"

 Michelle couldn't hit, and I couldn't run...

So we joined forces during water softball...

And made an awesome team!

( she was so cute..she gets called Melissa all the time, and I get called Michelle all the time, so we bonded..and her Georgian drawl was darling.)

STOP!

Green, Yellow, Red 

(Christine, Me and Emily)

We're So Fresh!

#34, 35, 36, 37...Blur of a weekend!

Thursday, I did this...

But it felt like this...

So to make life a little happier during the laundry process, I  hit up Redbox and watched this...

(Basically 'Coyote Ugly' with more fabulous costumes and dancing...but I liked it lots more.  Mostly because the main girl in Coyote Ugly is annoying.)

followed by this...

(Which I Lurv a lot.)

Friday I watched this..

(which I loved times 10..and it was a true story, so I liked it even more! The "where are they now" parts at the end of movies are my favorite.)

and I watched the movie 'The Romantics'..but it was so lame it didn't deserve a picture.

(Except the costumes..I liked those.)

Then I went to..

 and got some yummy food that made me happy.

and ate  

at

with my new friend Krista from my ward and bookclub and my newer friend Melissa,

(both of whom I did not take pictures of..) 

who had major cajones and gave the hotter than hot, spinached toothed waiter Zacchary

 (not the brightest bulb, and yes, his name tag had two 'Cs')

her number..

 but not before we ate this..

YUM!

Saturday I went to a recital for my voice teacher's  studio

(that I declined to participate in),

where I saw some old friends and met some new ones:)

                   Ashley                                   Nicole, Mary ,  Carol Ann (my voice teacher)

Me and Mary (we barely survived to graduation..we'll be bonded for life.)

Then I swung by Target for my signature wedding purchase...a gift card

 (because I'm the most creative person I know),

and went to Weber for Heather and Steve's wedding reception.

Steve didn't know what to do with the cake..which was kind of funny and definitely endearing.

Then I went to Ogden to visit my friend Sarah and took in some of the sites.

Ogden Temple under construction

 View from Washington (a main street)

an attempt to rejuvenate downtown

one of the many horses I saw..this one was my fave.

 another angle of the temple

Welcome to Ogden!

I wanted to surprise Sarah with a Cowboy pizza from Papa Murphy's, but when I got there this ghetto kid kind of laughed at me when I realized it was closed. Plus,  after seeing this lady's butt sitting on the counter I felt good about passing up making a purchase.

This was my face.

So as I was driving, I was pleased with Ogden's attempt at cleaning up the neighborhood..

and then I smelled pot as I was driving around.

 I heart you, Ogden..you remind me of home!

My poor, gimpy friend Sarah.

Sunday I went to church at the Midsingles ward and went to their munch and mingle.

We had hot dogs.

 eek.

Sometimes I like hotdogs, but usually not. Today I took one for the team and ate one.

 I hung out with Emily and Kristina and Emily gave me the goal to meet 5 new people..which I did.

And then promptly forgot their names..except Latoya and Chief, I remembered them.

Then I went to my real ward where I was the sister spotlight. Here it is! Hot off the presses of the RS newsletter!

Sister Spotlight

Melissa Fabbi (AKA "Fabbi", "Fabbs", "Melfab" and "Meliss") is originally from Las Vegas, Nevada. She has also lived in Salt Lake City, Boston, and now Provo! She is a school teacher and is currently enjoying her summer vacation. The most fun job she ever had was being an elementary music teacher. Her favorite food is chocolate chip cookies. A few of her hobbies and interests are people, travelling, being outside, and music. You might be surprised to know that she wears something purple almost every day. One of her pet peeves is when people "beat around the bush" and do not say what is really on their mind. One of her dreams is to visit the town in Italy where her family is from. Another fun fact about Melissa is that she can play Wham!'s song "Last Christmas" on the recorder.

Melissa, we are so glad to welcome you to our ward!

(and it's all true, ladies and gents!)

I also ate dinner with my childhood friend Jana and her cute family. She made lasagna and it was great. Her kids are adorable. I didn't get a picture, though..I totally wish I had. It was good to catch up with her. She's totally real and I love it.

 (If you couldn't tell from my above spotlight re: pet peeves.)

Then I got home and got caught up on this..

(which is a secret viewing pleasure.. I hated  it while my roommate watched it last season and now I'm sucked in and can't not watch. Dang you, Megann! )

And that was my weekend! I know..don't be jealous.

Day #33 South Fork Canyon, a little rain, and a few tunes.

Disclaimer: For all of you people who like chronological blogs, this may not be your favorite to read. Bear with me, though..you won't be disappointed. Hopefully I will once again become chronological..but if I don't, there will be many summer vignettes for your enjoyment, so feel free to peruse at your leisure. (That last bit was in a British accent, by the way.)  *Unfortunately, a lot of the time when I read back to myself what I've written, it's in a British accent.*

South Fork Canyon

Before the Rain

During the Rain

New Friend (Kristina)

Newer Friend (Alfredo)

Before the rain got too crazy, Kristina and I went for a wander through the park, and here is what we discovered.

(Awkwardfamilyphotos.com..)



After the rain cleared, the real fun began!!!!

Jam Session

(Papo and Kristina)

(Mendy and Mystery Girl)

(Ryan)

(Papo #2..I really like this one)

(Mystery Girl, Papo, Emily, Kristina, Paul, Mendy..Jammers)

It was a great night, and culminated in this sweet shot of the moon.