It's Summer?

Even though it's mid June, it just doesn't feel like summer to me. 

Perhaps it's the fact that we've been running our heater and have yet turn on the swamp cooler - I mean it was 52° today.  Or perhaps its the fact I'm trapped in the cave of darkness that is a chain restaurant, rather than road tripping it with my new Ray Bans. Whatever the cause, It doesn't feel like summer. So I'm gonna make it feel like summer, via the following:

LO'S SUMMER 2011 BUCKET LIST

 1) Go on a Camping or Backpacking Excursion

2) Make Deluxe S'mores

 (smores made with candy bars, preferably carmellos)

3) Have BBQ on deck, with outdoor string lights put up

4) Have an STG getaway

5) Go to a concert (twilight series or otherwise)

6) Take a fun class (either cooking, quilting, or an REI one)

7) Successfully complete every run on my training plan, (including doing a 1/2 Marathon) 

8) Complete a Craft/Sewing Project (from my ginormous to-make bookmark folder)

9) Go to a city pool or water park

10) Find the Best Milkshake/Ice Cream in SLC 
(so far we've tried Maggie Moo's and Hatch's Family Chocolates)

(My fantasty list would include tanning on the beaches of Maui,  or at least going to Lake Powell - but I'll be practical)

Due by Labor Day!

#9 Good news is the time that elapsed between me starting this list and actually finishing/publishing it - I completed one! For Kiersty's Birthday (incidentally the day after mine) we went to Raging Waters. I had very low/no expectations. Which is generally how things turn out best. We had a blast!

Anna got stuck in the middle of the yellow slide and had to fished out and walk around the slide. That's what happens when you meet the height requirement, yet weigh as much as the average 5 year old... 

We made sure to give Anna extra slices of Kat's Birthday Mississippi Mud Pie, so there are no more embarrassing ride incidents in the future.

We rounded out the evening by picking up our long lost parents from the SLC airport. 

Yes, we had a sign and balloon. 

No, they did not just come off a 2 year mission. 

What can I say, we love our mom and dad with all our sunburned hearts. Crazy eyed dad and all!

YEAR 23 BEGINS!

I was born and raised by a Birthday Monster. My mother threw the most elaborate themed and really downright fun parties. One year I even picked "sunflowers" as the theme, and you know what? She made it happen. This year however goes down as one of the best birthdays I've ever had.

I signed off from work, even though Dan had training/school all day so I'd probably end up home alone all day. Home alone on your bday > Being an applebuddy on your bday! But then Anna & Katheryn showed up Monday night. And went for a run with me. And then Kat traded some work shifts and came up later. Awesome Surprise! 

(note: our parents are in Europe. They are still very much alive. And, I think, still love us.)

I spent a wonderful birthday morning going to memory grove, eating red iguana, and hanging out with my sisters. Then at 3 o'clock, there was a knock at the door. My sweet friend Danielle took off work and drove up from Provo, to take me out shopping. We had a blast at the Gateway, it's been forever since I just meandered through a mall with no real objective. 

After working up an appetite we headed to Spaghetti Factory where SURPRISE! I had a whole table of friends waiting. Friends from high school = Jane (and baby Brooke!),  Haylee, and Danielle. Friend from College = Heather. Friend from Monterey = Leana (and baby Aleks!) So cool that such an eclectic group got together for dinner, I loved it. Jane convinced us all we should have babies ASAP :)

Since they all drove from at least 30 mins away, after dinner everyone had to get home. We went back and had Peanut Butter Banana Pie and Presents. No, I'm not Ray Charles or Blind. Just really excited about my new Ray Bans (thanks Dan!) Dan deserves lots of thanks for putting my b-day together, even though he had class and work training ALL DAY and NIGHT and couldn't join in.

This is so cheesy I want to die... But I really can't get over how loved I felt on my birthday. I got great presents (they were also the most exciting in a long time) - but the best part of my birthday was seeing all the people who cared about me enough to sacrifice time/money and come wish me a happy day. Awesome. All of them.

 If this day was any indication, 

23 is going to be my best year yet!

On Being an AppleBuddy

First off yes, as a worker at Applebee's you are an "AppleBuddy." Aside from the general dirt and grime of being a waitress, there are other awesome things that set being an applebuddy apart:

{Once a year we have crazy t-shirt day. Don't wear the shirt I did. It will be interpreted as "I hump Joe?" No one knows where/what the Country of Jordan is.}
1) Singing the birthday song. At least twice a day.

"Applebees is fun it's true!

Especially When We Sing for You!

Good news is we sing for free,

Bad news is we sing off key!

Sound off - HAPPY

Sound off- BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday! To you!"

2) Sidework that takes FOREVER

Ever wanted to be paid $2.25 an hour to roll silverware and wipe down tables? No? Then never become an applebuddy. Cause then you'll have to. For at least an hour after every shift. Even if its 11pm. Especially if it's 11 pm.

3) Your co-workers are all felons

My fellow applebuddies are a bit of a rough crowd. It took me awhile to catch on to their lingo:

PO= parole officer

Color Chart= when you are parole for certain crimes, your "color" may be randomly called into the nearest police department at any time. IE " David is late for work today cause its a blue day. Hope he passes that drug screen."

4) People suck at tipping

People come in w/ certificates the school gives out for good grades. They get free kids meals and nothing else. Their kids demand endless chocolate milk refills. And then they leave no tip. Others actually order and pay for food, but again, when it comes time to tip - NADA. Do they not understand that waitresses only make $2 AN HOUR? Or more likely, they don't care. Awesome.

5) People ask retarded questions

"How fresh is this Salmon? When was it caught?"

A) This is an Applebees's. Everything is frozen. When was it caught? Are you kidding me?!?

B) We live in Utah. Not Maine. Where do you think we would fish?

"I'm allergic to all vegetables. And gluten. And nuts. And I don't eat meat. What do you recommend?"

I recommend you not come to Applebee's. Also, you should die.

Alas, there must some perks to the Applebuddy life, right? 

1) 50% off a meal 30 mins before or after your shift

I have yet to cash in on this little perk. As soon as i'm finally checked out, I want the Helena Montana outta there- see the above 5 reasons. 

No news isn't necessarily good news

Good News: I got a job!

Bad News: It's being a waitress at Applebee's. Yes, you heard me right: APPLEBEE'S. Which on the chain restaurant totem pole is at the very bottom. I'm talkin worse than Winger's. To be honest, that's why I haven't blogged in forever. I'm actually super embarrassed about my job and have been avoiding telling anyone about it... Well time to stop that. I'm going to try and embrace it. 

There are worse jobs right?

 Like ummm... I'll keep thinking

Good News: Two interviews and a formal petition later, I got back into BYU!

Bad News: In an ultimate bit of irony, while driving home from BYU Salt Lake Center where I was getting a UTA pass (now that I'm a student I can ride the TRAX FOR FREE!), our Civic was hit by a UTA bus while we were stopped at a red light. It turned too wide and scratched up the side of the car and broke off our mirror. Ha. Ha. Ha. Ridiculous. 

In other, more neutral news:

I got a bountiful basket. I have been eating twenty mangos by myself for the past week. Never again.

On the 1st Dan turned the big 2-8! The birthday monster in me had a hard time coping with how terribly low key his b-day was. He was at school all day, I was at work all day, and he had a boxed brownie mix in lieu of a multi tiered cake like last year (per his request). We did however find time to have lunch at Red Robin together. Nothing like a blue ribbon burger with bacon to celebrate a milestone. 

Leana and Aleks came down to visit and we made a grip of strawberry (and some Mango from my ridiculous Bountiful Basket) jam. Delicious. 

We need more exciting news. MSLA is welcoming any and all visitors. 

We can offer you Mangos. Lots and lots of Mangos. 

When UTA is the Highlight of Your Day

 The life of an unemployed, non-student, 22 year old is not as glamorous as you would expect. I find myself riding Trax. For fun. With no destination. However, there have been some highlights since returning to Zion: 

We got to join in on Danielle's Cinco De Mayo surprise birthday party at Los Hermanos. No, she's not pregnant (come now, have you seen this skinny girl!) Her friend just gave her the baby dress for the future, the far and distant future. Jesse looks thrilled, ha. Happy birthday Danielle, I'm so happy we live closer to you guys now!

We went to the Yelle Show at Urban Lounge, which Dan bought tickets for about 6 months ago. It was a soldout show and I'll admit it was pretty darn good. I thought Dan had died and gone to French Techno heaven when Yelle emerged in Ghelli suit. So many of Dan's fantasies rolled into one. 

Our good friends The Streeters came down to see our house and hang out. They introduced me to my new favorite running spot: Memory Grove. They also introduced Dan to his new favorite eating spot: Bruges Waffles and Frites. Copious amounts of fry sauce plus an owner that speaks French? Dan is probably there right now. 

One day while driving up by the U, Dan pointed to a peak and declared "We should climb that. Like right now." Being that we had a big fat nothing on the docket, we did just that, we climbed it right then. It took about four hours round trip. It was brutally steep. And once we got to the top, a firefighter dude heckled dan into climbing the tower. I get sweaty palms just looking at this picture. It was lovely. 

MSLA (Mealy Salt Lake Adventures) had its first overnight guest: Kiersty Kat. There was snuggling,  baking, power walking, shopping, rare pastry eating, and fun beyond words. Come back soon Kat!

Other Updates that Sadly Do not have a Picture Collage:

-We finally got Dan all situated at the U, only to learn that I have been kicked out of BYU.... AGAIN.

- Our new ward blows... It's very "west side". Oh how we miss our Monterey Ward and Friends.

- I have yet to find somewhere to Spin. Bonni, can you please just move to SLC solely to teach me?

- It was 50 degrees today. And it snowed. I'm not sure what grievous sin I committed to deserve this. 

That's enough updates for now. I've got a light rail train to ride. 

MIRACLE MONEY

The other day we were driving down south temple when all of the sudden Dan shouts "Money! In the road!" He veers off to the side, parks, hops out of the car and darts into traffic. He returns with a $20 bill and a new outlook on life. Apparently he saw the money fall out of the pocket of a speeding bike messenger, who we tried to track down to no avail. "This, this is miracle money, It's a blessing." 

My favorite part: 

"And the guy who dropped it, I'm pretty sure he was one of the three nephites."

The Time We Moved to SLC

Much has happened since my last blog. Let's rewind a few weeks:

Dan graduated from DLI and I took some really bad pictures of said event. Right after the ceremony we headed to the promised land... But not before enduring this:

We decided to move ourselves and then have the army reimburse us (DIDY) vs. having them do everything. Next time we want to make a little money in a grueling way, we'll sell our internal organs on the black market. It would be less painful than this move. After driving FOREVER through the world's ugliest terrain, we made to STG where we spent two nights waiting for our house in SLC to be available.

While there we went on a nice Red Cliffs hike w/ the family. Kat found a frog. And then we moved into our new (well its a 100+ yrs old) house on Capitol Hill. 

We love our new house. And we love Salt Lake. Things we don't love: being jobless, being internet-less, and trying to make the army pay for Dan's school.  But overall, we're happy to have arrived.

THIS IS THE PLACE.