Ramblings on Asian Things and More Happiness

 I want to like Yoga. I do. It's hip, healthy, and trendy. So I started off my saturday with a "Yoga Flow" class, and I hated every one of the sixty minutes of deep breathing. Instead of quieting my mind, I keep thinking to myself of millions of things that I could be doing instead of down dog. The rest of the weekend was much better. Dan was all jazzed about going to a sports bar to watch a Big MMA fight Saturday night. As much as I love watching actual proof that man descended from Apes, I was relieved when it evolved into a "Boys Night."

{only picture I have of Sue, Bonni, and I}
In response to boys night, the women (Bonni, Sue and I) struck out for Asian massages as "Girl's Night". I'm still unclear whether I enjoyed it or not. At certain points, I felt "Ahhh, this hurts so good." And other points, "Ahhhh! This just hurts! What kind of *&^% masochistic person do they think I am?" I am sore. Jury is still out on that one. Something that has a definite verdict: I'm not a sushi person. I want to like it, for the same reasons as Yoga: its hip, healthy, and trendy. But as Sue and Bonni and I chowed down on Philadelphia rolls, pepperoni pizza and other less glamorous food danced through my head... 

Conclusion: Yoga, painful massage, Sushi. Nothing good has ever come out of Asia. But girls night rocks.

In other news, I found writing last week's happy list seriously fun. The concept of happiness really intrigues me.  I listened to a TED talk (which I'm prone to do whilst doing laundry or dishes, I am a weirdy) by a Economics Nobel Laureate on the very subject. Contrary to my personal beliefs, money (well lots of it) doesn't apparently bring happiness. "Making below $60,000 a year, people get exponentially unhappier the poorer they are, but above $60,000 it flat lines into one of the flattest lines I've ever seen." 

So basically, I just need to start making $60,000 a year and I'm good to go. 

Things that made me Happy this Week: 

1) Sticking to my Grocery Budget

I've been pretty good w/ my resolutions thus far, except this one. I have the hardest time. But finally last week I did it. Instead of running to the store mid week if I ran out of something, I simply got creative and did without. (And I kept myself out of my grocery shopping place of Nirvana, Whole Foods, or "Whole Paycheck" as I've heard it called.) Pathetic perhaps, but it felt like such a victory to me.

2) Glitter Gel Toes

My kind, pregnant, friend Sue, sat on the ground for hours during the Super Bowl and did my gel glitter toes. They sparkle and fill me with ultimate delight. Thank you Sue!!!

3) Running

I seriously have not run since the 1/2 Marathon. Nada. But when Dan mentioned wanting to do an upcoming 10k, I decided to see if I still had it. Running 6.2 miles at a decent pace after 2.5 months of no running wasn't easy for me (granted I still Spin/fitness class it up daily) - but it felt so good. 

I always keep in mind this cheesy quote: "Running is a mental exercise with physical benefits." I really believe it, when my legs are dying, its a total mind game. (It was only after this run that Dan revealed a conflict and we are no longer running that race. ha.)

4) Broccoli

Okay, this is the weirdest one. I'm struggling w/ the goal to eat more veggies. I mean, if vegetables actually tasted good, there wouldn't be so many obese people in the world. But I discovered a roasted broccoli recipe in my ATK magazine, and am now obsessed. In fact, I'm roasting more broccoli for dinner tonight! Take that evil carbs. 

If you made it to this point, I thank you for reading my ramblings. The End. 

* Let us all pray that something exciting starts happening in my life, that there might be more pictures in future posts, and less words. 

A Happy List

{pure happiness = eating cheese covered in sugar. in the ghetto. of jordan.}

Maybe its a need to rebound from the string of deep posts, or inspiration from my sister's Happy Log, but I feel the need to write out the things that made me happy this week, in an effort to add more happiness to my life (wow, that was a run-on sentence).

1) Getting to Pick up An Extra Week of Work

If you really want to have a bad day, I suggest you file your taxes and find out that you OWE the gov't a small fortune, that you no longer qualify for Pell Grants, and that your SMART grant has been discontinued. AHHH. But we'll be okay. Impoverished once school starts, but okay. So the happy thing was, I got to fill in for Natalie this week and add a bit more money to our coffers through an unexpected paycheck!

2) Going to 9pm Zumba at the City Gym

I rarely go to Zumba. I rarely do anything other than sleep at 9 pm. But I randomly went to this class, and it rocked my world. The teacher was a hot, homosexual, topless Latin man. The first two rows of class were filled with amazingly coordinated Hispanics, many of whom were busting a move in Jeggings. I stood awkwardly in my Nike running gear, in the back, next to two 65+ year old men. Awesome. The class ended with the teacher giving a lap dance to a girl in a wheelchair who'd been "dancing" in the corner. I couldn't make this stuff up. 

3) SPIN SHOES!

Back (4 days ago) when I thought we'd be getting a fat tax return, and was ignorant of our future plight, I bought these clip-in bike shoes with my Christmas Money. And they may have changed my life. 

4) Dan Did Really Well on his last French Test!
Foreign Language doesn't come easy for Dan, or for me. Our future children should never attempt learning Mandarin. Dan works really hard, and it's super stressful with the intensity of the language programs here. I'm so proud of him, his hard work paid off and he did really well on his latest test - even in his hardest subject, listening. Good job Dan!

5) Cold Stone courtesy of the Streeters
We wanted to go out and celebrate Dan's test, but due to recently imposed Austerity Measures (see #1) it wasn't in the budget for the week. Then I remembered that the lovely Streeters had given us a Cold Stone gift card. We toasted the test with brownies and cookie dough enrobed in sweet cream - tis the greatest food delight one can experience in this mortal life.

6) Read a book. For pure entertainment.
I rarely read fiction, its just not my thing. I came across this book at the library, was intrigued because it had the word "Mormon" in it, and brought it home. Instead of doing laundry, I sat in front of the heater for 3 hours, and read it cover to cover. It is a memoir- so it's not technically fiction - but still engaging. Not sure if I can recommend it though, it had a fair amount of questionable material.... But it made me happy to recapture my voracious reading self.



I do feel exponentially happier because I made a list of things that make me happy.
 I'm weird like that.
But I'm happy.

Redemption

{from our sunday sunset walk at the sand dunes. new tradition.}

So my little chat with a BYU advisor didn't go quite how I envisioned (i.e. "Lauren, I know what you should do with your life, it is easy and fun, and you'll graduate in no time!") Instead I left more confused than before... Changing my major is out of the question, BYU forbids major changes after you hit a certain amount of credits- which I have. Fact: I will now be graduating in Middle Eastern Studies Arabic. Fact: The only Graduate program in Utah which results in you becoming a Registered Dietician is at the UofU. They have loads of applicants, 13 get in. Fact: I am screwed. Haha. Shortly after that depressing phone call, on such a lovely note, we left to the temple.

Turns out quite a few people from our ward wanted to go the temple, so we ended up going in a big group. "Those creepy Mormons are traveling in packs again!" type large group. Without getting too descriptive, lets just say if something could go wrong at the Temple for me, it did.... Wardrobe issues, forgetting things issues, tripping issues... I was in tears by the end, and not ones of joy. However, a really sweet temple worker came and spoke to me in the celestial room, she witnessed all my struggles. She said some really nice things to me and made me promise to come back. I will.

Though spiritual edification is a benefit, Dan's real motivation in a temple trip: Red Robin. Sadly our GPS led us to one in the Ghetto of San Jose with over an hour wait. After crazy traffic, and a long day, none of us wanted to wait. I think I saw a glistening tear roll down Dan's cheek as we settled for In-N-Out. So now we have to go back ASAP-  so Dan and I can both redeem ourselves, one with burgers, and the other with temple ordinances.

P.S. Thank you everyone for your comments on my last post! I loved all the input from everyone.That's part of why I love blogging, I think it can be a really helpful way of getting advice! (Though I need more help than I think anyone can offer...)

Lo's Thoughts (on What to Do with my Life)

{me and my dad. back when I didn't care about careers}

Two thought posts in a week? Clearly it's one of those weeks where I don't work, have no major projects going, and am left with an surplus of time to ponder my life while petting Mr. Bitey. I really do need to do some serious thinking though, as on Friday I have a phone appointment with a BYU Career Counselor (who happens to be a college friend of my mom's, so I'm not too scared) to hopefully help me make some big decisions. I return to BYU on April 26th for Spring Semester. It's a done deal. The Army shall not stop me. But what to do after I go back BYU, oh what to do....

I am oh so jealous of my friends that knew what that wanted to be from the get go. While I wandered about women's studies classes, Danielle knew what she wanted and is now almost done with nursing school (Go Danielle!). For some reason I've always thought that those around me whom I admire must have had some burning bush experience to help them choose their career. It was never a question. It was just meant to be. It was foreordained that my Dad would be an ER doctor and my Mom would be a Physical Therapist. It helped me immensely when talking to my mom over Christmas break she divulged she never had an Angelic messenger. She was just good at helping her brother was his exercises while he was recovering from massive burns, and decided to run with it. She questioned whether being a PT was the right thing, but in at the end of the day just made a commitment and stuck with it. So that's what I need to do. Just pick something and run with it. But what to pick...

So I am almost done with a Bachelor's degree in Arabic. At this point it would be foolish to change to a different major. Instead, I'm planning to finish this degree and then pursue a master's in something that can actually translate to a career. A career that I can work in different areas all around the world (if Dan joins the full time army), allows me to work part-time (I do want to have kids someday), and makes a decent amount of money (if I'm going to invest in graduate school, got to re-coup it somehow). Like I said in this post, it would have been better to start with a plan from the beginning, but this is what I've got now:

1) Teaching - I thought about this for a minute, but then came to some realizations. There aren't a lot of teaching jobs, especially for those with MA degrees who they have to pay more. Also, I don't really like teaching, ha.

- Next I turned to health care professions, as a) I have only ever worked in Dermatology b) I like healthcare and c) My patriarchal blessing makes mention of it. I fear that I will regret turning my back on the humanities (my true college love), but there is just no jobs there.

2) Physician Assistant - Working as a PA would give me some of the clinical experience as a doctor, be rewarding, well paying, and do able part time. Downside: Super competitive to get in to the UofU's program, and I think that PA's are given way too much freedom/responsibility for the training they receive.

3) Physical Therapist - I think this would be a really enjoyable path if I could work in Pediatrics like my Mom, but I wouldn't want to do rehab. Again, super competitive program to get into at the U and requires the most pre-req work.

4) Registered Dietician - I am obsessed with learning about food. I read a food book a month. I would love to work advising women, especially with eating disorders. Competitive program, fairly conservative wages.

5) Masters of Public Health - Work in the administrative side of health care. I'm intrigued by this idea, but also afraid that it would turn out totally boring.

4) Run away from school and open a bakery. Make and eat delicious delights everyday. Write about eatings. Take pictures of Dogs on the side... Ah my true dream comes out.

It's hard to balance what I'd be good at, what I'd enjoy, what would be practical, and what makes economic sense all at the same time.  Commitment frightens me. Choosing what I'm going to do for the rest of my life terrifies me.

I am open to any and all suggestions and comments. 
Especially before Friday. 
Thank you.  

Lo's Thoughts (on Planning a Wedding)

One of my frequent blog reads, Tifsong ( a gal I went to elementary and high school with), recently became engaged and posted questions soliciting wedding planning advice. It got me thinking… So much so that I HAD to write it all out. I figure I have three little sisters who will eventually marry. Maybe someday this list will be useful to them?

THINGS I WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY:

1) Photography- Since I was roughly 10 years old I was sure that when I got married Nick Adams would take the pictures. And he did. And it was our biggest expense. And he did a great job. BUT, I think someone else could’ve done just as great a job at a lower expense and had a faster turn around time (wedding album 18 months later?) I really like her work and his work. But Photography is still the thing I would spend the most money on. 

 2) Dress- I love my wedding dress, but wish I would’ve gone with one less expensive/on sale/ borrowed. I originally fell in love with a crazy expensive one (it was blush pink!) at Alta Moda in Salt Lake. Luckily it was a designer dress that couldn’t be cut in time. I can’t imagine how guilty I’d feel now if I had that dress! My dress is beautiful, but it was pricey to begin with, and the alterations to add sleeves and take up the back weren’t cheap either. ( I still am obessed with my old fashion lace veil, don’t regret the money there at all). I have some guilt over such a pricey dress never being worn again. I would hope one of my sisters would like it enough to wear it, but every girl wants to pick out their own dress – can’t blame them there.

3) The Venue- I was dead set on not having it at a church, but it really doesn't matter all that much. Had ours not been a summer wedding, I would have loved to do it in a backyard. Or at the Santa Clara town hall. Or even a Church. The Bell Tower was another cost I think could’ve been cut.

THINGS I WOULDN'T CHANGE:

 1) Flowers – Weren’t important to me. Kept flower costs really low, mostly just my boquet. Which I still really like.

 2) Luncheon – Our greatest triumph. Held at my favorite restrauant Scaldoni’s (now closedL ) – it was Dan and I’s favorite part. We ate delicious food (I ate every last bite of my Chicken Gorgonzola) and actually relaxed & enjoyed the company of just our closest friends and family. 

3)Dancing and a Line – Another success. We had one hour of a line, then one hour of dancing and mingling. We got to greet all those traditionalists who appreciate the formal handshake (not me) and then people ACTUALLY DANCED!

 4) The Big Band-  They were a referral from my sister’s violin teacher. I braced my self for the worst. But they were AWESOME. I think they were what made the difference in people actually dancing. SO much fun.

5) Food- We just went with the least expensive Bell Tower offering, cheesecake (which wasn’t that inexpensive). I never got the chance to eat it anyway. Glad we didn't spend on extravagant Reception food. (Though if we'd had the reception not at the belltower, we could've brought our own food, and then I would have made sure donuts were involved. Dan and I's favorite!)

6) The little things that made it us. Cokes in glass bottles. Chuck Taylors. I wish we'd done more little things like that (Donuts?). 

 7) Getting Sealed to Dan in the St. George temple – Not something I would change. Also, the 8:30 time worked great. Not too hot and I'm totally a morning person. 

Ahh… A trip down memory lane. It reminded me how lucky I am. Thank you Mom and Dad for providing me with a gorgeous wedding, putting up with my meltdowns and everything else. Thank you Denise for sewing ALL of my bridesmaid’s dresses and putting together our open house. I am really lucky.

Anyone else want to share their wedding planning triumphs and failures? I think it would make a great read!

New Years in St. George

Six Observances from New Years in Dixie:

1) My Mom's New Kitchen remodel was totally worth all the hassle. I can say that because I was in no way involved. It is beautiful.

2) Sugar Gliders are the world's worst pets. Katheryn got two of them for Christmas. They scream at you. Though Anna's ferret might give them a run for their money.... What happened to owning cats and dogs?

3) Red Cliffs is perhaps most beautiful when hiked in December

But it's flipping cold! (Dan and I aren't in the picture because we're the only ones without cool hats)

4) I am really bad at bowling. I bowled a 20. Both rounds. That's okay, I'd rather be good at something that isn't totally lame....

5) Dad's Rocket Day is still Awesome

Especially when it requires a rescue mission

6) Playing minute to win it can be fun. If it involves your Grandpa with panty hose on his arms. 

After a wonderful New Year's in St. George, we voyaged back to Gloom Mountain to get back to the daily grind. I kicked off our return by ruining EVERY last pair of scrubs I have. Someone leaves pen in communal dryer = Lauren has Dalmatian scrubs.... Grrrr. In an effort to cheer me up, Dan took me to Black Swan. So about the movie...

Whoa. That's all I have to say. Whoa. 

1-1-2011

I love New Years. Not really the night itself, (being that I'm a hard core party girl who feel asleep at 10), but the chance to start over. 2010 was a great year, Dan and I actually lived together for it's enitrety, in one place. Progress right there. Some other highlights:

{JANUARY}  We get our Farsi dreams dashed, have to completely re-plan our lives, and go on a trip to San Francisco together.

{FEBRUARY} Rick and Denise come for a visit and the MMA tradition begins

{MARCH} My family comes for a week long MMA

{APRIL} We host friends for Easter dinner, The Civic gets smooshed and we have a series of rental cars 

{MAY}  Dan becomes an E4, We run the Artichoke 5k - Dan becomes a champion and we embark on a new running hobby, We find out No French Slot in May = more life plan changes

{JUNE} Birthdays!, I get to go to STG to turn 22, Awesome (not) Army Ball, we go on our first (of many) Backpacking Trips

{JULY} 30 Days of No Sun, The Streeters abandoned us, Salinas Rodeo!, poor Civic gets broken in to

{AUGUST} We celebrate 2 years of BLISS!, Go on a trip to LA, Dan got kidney stones, and Kiersty came to visit

{SEPTEMBER} We go to Yosemite, I throw my first (and last?) Baby shower

{OCTOBER} Dan finally starts french, We wear awesome costumes to Bonni and Pete's awesome party, Run the Big Sur 10k

{NOVEMBER} We ran the Big Sur Half Marathon together! Went home for Thanksgiving.

{DECEMBER} Two glorious weeks in Utah! Christmas, new nephew, and more!

It was a good year. 

I also love New Years for the cliche setting of New Year's Resolutions. Last year was the first year I set them, and accomplished them:

1) Compare Less

(This one is obviously still a work in progress, but I feel I'm in a much better place with this one than I was a year ago. I'm making a concious effort not to judge my own happiness against what I percieve others to be). 

2) Exercise More and Eat More Real Food

(This is the one I really feel I aced. We eat almost all whole foods and I now excercise consistently 5 days a week. Plus I ran more this year than I'm sure I have collectively in my whole life. I pat myself on the back). 

3) Cook a New Recipe Every Week

(Did it, never mind they were 90% dessert recipes....)

I was spurred on by last years success that I decided to set them again this year, and do more!

LO'S RESOLUTIONS FOR 2011

1) Strength Train 2-3x per week

I am a total cardio addict. I love spin, but I would rather die than lift. This must be remedied. I've read so much about how strength training has so many benefits. Must do it. Wish there was body pump here. Still, must do it!

2) No Cokes, More Veggies

This is no joke my hardest goal: No Diet Coke in 2011. I don't know if its the hypocrisy of buying free range eggs and wild cherry pepsi in the same trip or the fact that I peed my pants due to guzzling the stuff, but I'm kicking the addiction. Also, for being a semi-vegetarian, I don't eat vegetables. So I shall make it a goal to eat one veggie a day, and a full salad a week. 

3) Apply for Graduation with my Bachelor's Degree

Because really, its high time. 

( i will never look like this)

4) Accept my Body by Stopping Fat Talk

I made great strides with fitness this year (no pun intended). It feels good. However, I was much dismayed this year to discover that healthiest Lauren does not equal skinniest Lauren. No matter how many spin classes I do, or Greek Yogurts I eat, as long as I’m not starving myself, I can’t get to my “Magic Weight.” This year’s goal is to keep up the healthy habits, and work on accepting my body how it is. I will never have the body type of a frail 6”0 super model (or my sister Anna.) I want to have body confidence, so someday, when I have daughters of my own I can be a good example for them.

5) Use my Time More productively

Limit Internet Use (One hour a day), Read a Real Book a Month, complete one big project from my ever growing list (like organize 2nd Bedroom)  per month

6) Go to the Temple Once A month

Our Bishop challenged us to do this. It will get much easier once we are back in Zion. 

7) Cash Budget

Do the Cash Budget each month and stick with it. None of this rationalizing you get rewards with your credit card business. 

8) Do one Thing to Speak Dan's Love Language Every Day

Whenever I want to improve our marriage, I think of things I want him to do for me. But that's not really how it works, is it? I want to be a better wife and thus enjoy a better relationship everyday. 

Lots of goals, but all very do-able. I think. Check back in 2012 to find out.* 

*That is, if they Mayans are wrong and there is a 2012.