Friday, July 30, 2010

Miles to go before I sleep.

Road-trip 2010 Highlights:

I left Idaho on Saturday (July something? 24th?) around 4:30 and got to Utah around 9:30- 10:00. We spent a few minutes at my Grandma/Grandpa Sine's house where I was grilled by my Uncle Scott about what I was doing with my life, then went over to Grandma Cannon's condo to sleep. It was all the same- the smells, the Diet Cokes, the children sprawled all over couches, smelling like sweat and food. I love it.

The next day we got up and went down to Temple Square to walk around and ended up seeing the Joseph Smith movie. I forgot how much I like that movie. Afterwards we went to sacrament meeting with the Cannon grandparents- my first family ward sacrament in 4 months. Kids everywhere, and I still managed to fall asleep.

That night we had Mary Alice's birthday dinner. It's official- none of the sine children are little kids anymore; we're all teenagers or older. It's strange. I feel like it's the end of a dynasty. Anyways, we had dinner and dessert, and played 2 rousing rounds of UNO, annnd then went to bed.

The next few days all sort of melt together now that I look back on them, but I'll give some highlights.

-I know we were in Vegas at one point. We stayed at the Stratosphere Hotel on the strip. I fell asleep around 11:00, which never happens. I didn't even make it to the bathroom to brush my teeth or wash my face. We ate at a so-so Italian restaurant and went to a so-so gym, and that was about it.

-In Utah we hung out at the Sports Mall- my favorite place in Salt Lake City. I got to catch up on my reading/ running/ swimming/ tanning.

-We hung out with the Matheson family, four-wheeling at their farm. Then the Dads reminisced about their days patrolling Berlin. Bless their hearts...

-4 hour drives between Salt Lake and Vegas, and Vegas and Redlands, California. It went by a lot faster than I expected since it was just Ben, Isaac, and I, so it wasn't too shabby.


And Caitie's on skype so I gotta go?




Thursday, July 22, 2010

Poli Sigh.

As I type this, I'm 2,500 words into a joint essay on

1. Why states choose to abide by international norms even when there is no official governing body coercing them to do so.

2. The theoretical solution to Islamic fundamentalism/ terrorism as outlined by the 9/11 Commission Report and Mearsheimer/Walts' "The Israel Lobby."

With every. single. effing. word I type I'm more and more glad I became an English major. I can't even imagine what my college career would be like if I hadn't. Actually, I don't know why I didn't make the switch earlier. Granted, I love learning about theories and government and politics, but my gosh- being one of those kids who would sell their first born to work on a campaign and have crushes on Dick Cheney - I couldn't do it. I'm barely able to stomach these essays. I'll be so glad when this class is over, and my official career as a political science student is done, at least academically.


Anyways, there it is.


Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Ted, the love of my life.

So I was at Broulims today, shopping with Elizabeth and Amanda. I ran into the carbonated water aisle to pick up some of the good stuff. In front of the carbonated water, though, was a motorized scooter with a man in it. I waited behind the scooter, pretending to look at some chips so he wouldn't feel pressured, and I kept an eye on him to see if he needed any help. Within minute of standing there, he asked me to come over to compare prices on some Lemon/Lime soda. He told me he was making home-made lemonade, and went on to talk about everything he wanted to put in it, and asked me my opinion on all the ingredients. I told him how I would make it, to which he replied, "Ohhhhh you've made this before! Well then...you a student up here?" I told him I was, and then he asked me what my major was. "English." He gave me a disapproving look, and then I asked him what he majored in in school. He told me he'd only been to one year of high school.

"But you wanna know something?....I'm a millionaire."

At first I didn't believe him, and figured it was just one of those things that old men say to kids to get a rise out of them. I asked him how he'd become a millionaire, and he showed me his drivers license, which allows him to carry nuclear chemicals with him on any vehicle he operates. He was also one of two men to set up one of the largest oil pipelines in Evanston, Wyoming. On TOP of that, he owns a business which works on houses, a business that made him $27,000 a month at one point. He then proceeded to show me his credit card, a platinum, no spending limit card from Bank of America with no limit and a gold seal on it. I also got a look at his checkbook, and there were a few zeros in there...

He described more of what he did for a living, told me he'd just bought a new Volkswagon a few days ago, and then said, "So would you like to go out on a date with me?"

At first I thought it was the same kind of thing as the millionaire comment. I laughed and gave him a "Maybe another time." But then he asked again, and told me we'd "have a real nice time, a real nice time." I didn't know what else to say, so I told him I was seeing someone. He asked if I was engaged, and I told him it wasn't that serious yet. He asked what major he was, I said "English, of course." He didn't approve of that. So I gave him a "Well if things don't work out with him, I'll give you a call." He told me I'd better. It was right about then that I was getting sort of uncomfortable, so I pointed to the Carbonated water and told him that was my stop. I grabbed it from the shelf, and he cornered me against his cart and the rest of the Carbonated water. He asked what I liked, and old me I was a very striking young lady, and that I "caught his eye for some reason." He then proceeded to tell me that I shouldn't be an English major, but a dancer. I asked him why, and he told me, "Wait, no. Not a dancer...a...a P.E teacher!" He told me I "just fit the bill." Then he told me that I was a beautiful young woman, and that any man would be lucky to have me, and to give him a call one of these days.

OH WAIT, then he told me that he was related to Napoleon, and told me that it was Napoleon that sold us the Louisiana Purchase (Am I wrong, or was it King Louis?). So, we talked about Napoleon and how he's gotten a bad rap through the years. It was very enlightening, to say the least. After that he let me go. We said our goodbyes, I shook his hand, asked him name, we told each other to have a nice day...and I left. I left the man that could've made me the wife of a millionaire before the age of 21.

In other news, the sky in Rexburg was insane today! The clouds were the color of the desert, and the sun was BRIGHT red.

Anyways, good day...

Monday, July 5, 2010

99 Problems but my kicks ain't one.

1. ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET IT?
The scar on my chin is from jumping off the edge of the pool backwards

2. WHAT IS ON THE WALLS IN YOUR ROOM?
A bunch of mismatched posters of the Eiffel Tower, Jimi Hendrix, and turn-tables.

4. WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO?
I like a lot of music- "Rock" mostly, but I love hip hop,reggae, classical, blues, some country, funk, classic rock, folk, instrumental stuff. It's all good.

5. DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME YOU WERE BORN?
Around 6:00 PM in Arizona

6. WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW?
A crystal ball. That'd be awesome

7. WHAT DO YOU MISS?
My family

8.WHATS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION?
Probably my Mac. It's got everything on it- my writing, my pictures, etc.

9. HOW TALL ARE YOU?
5'9"

10. DO YOU GET CLAUSTROPHOBIC?
Nope

11. DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK?
I used too.

12. THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE YOU CRY?
Myself, probably.

13. WHAT'S YOUR WORST FEAR?
That someone's life will be worse because of me.

14. WHAT KIND OF HAIR/EYE COLOR DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX?
I like hair on the darker side, I guess. I don't have an eye preference, except purple eyes are a no-go. It's just not kosher.

15. WHERE CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF BEING PROPOSED TO?
HA. Anywhere but the temple grounds, the gardens, or over the phone.

16. COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINK?
Coffee...ice cream?

17. FAVORITE PIZZA TOPPING?
chicken

18. IF YOU COULD EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Grilled vegetable salad from California Pizza Kitchen.

19. FAVORITE COLOR OF ALL TIME?
Green or purple.

20. HAVE YOU EVER EATEN A GOLDFISH?
Crackers or fish?

21. WHAT WAS THE FIRST MEANINGFUL GIFT YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED?
My baptismal dress

22. DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH?
Yes.

23. ARE YOU DOUBLE JOINTED?
No.

24. FAVORITE CLOTHING BRAND?
I like Steve Madden shoes, American Eagle jeans, and Victorias Secret bras. Everything else is fair game.

25. WHO IS YOUR FAV FEMALE/MALE CELEBRITY?
Male- Alec Baldwin, Female- Meryl Streep

26. DO YOU HAVE A PET RIGHT NOW?
Back at home

27. WHAT KIND IS IT?
Dog named Honey.

28. WOULD YOU FALL IN LOVE KNOWING THAT THE PERSON IS LEAVING?
Probably.

30. SAY A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED:
17

31. BLONDES, BRUNETTES OR RED HEADS?
I love em all.

32. FAVORITE QUOTE?
It's super cheesy, but "Doubt that the stars are fire. Doubt the Sun moves. Doubt truth to be a liar. But never doubt I love" from Hamlet.

33. FAVORITE PLACE?
Williamsburg, Virginia. I could probably think of a 'cooler' place, but there are so many good memories there.

34. HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF THE USA?
Yes

35. YOUR WEAKNESSES?
Intelligence, sense of humor, and sugar.

36. MET ANYONE FAMOUS?
Met? No.

37. FIRST JOB?
paper route

38. EVER DONE A PRANK CALL?
Yep.

39. DO YOU THINK EVERYONE OUT THERE HAS A SOUL MATE?
I know I'm not supposed to think they do because of agency and all that, but I like thinking there's someone meant for everyone.

40. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED THIS OUT?
Eating breakfast

41. HAVE YOU EVER HAD SURGERY?
Yes.

42. WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT MOST?
My hair or my eyes.

43. HAVE YOU EVER HAD BRACES?
Yep.

44. WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?
Debts paid off. Or books/music/movies.

45. HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT AND THEIR NAMES?
I want at least two kids. As for names, I like them unique- Vendella (I don't know why...), Roman, Simone, Maddox

46. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
My name's a combination of a girl my mom used to take care of, and the last part of my mom's name.

47. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST TURN OFF OF THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Ignorance or insincerity

48. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU LIKED ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL?
I actually really liked high school for the most part. I liked skipping school though.

49. WHAT KIND OF SHAMPOO DO YOU USE?
I switch between Dove and Garnier Fructis

50. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Yes.

51. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Turkey

52. ANY BAD HABITS?
I can be a terrible procrastinator.

53. ARE YOU A JEALOUS PERSON?
Nah

54. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
If I could get past the first stages of myself. I'm
incredibly shy, which I think gets mistaken for arrogance.

55. DO YOU AGREE WITH FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS?
Not really.

56. DO LOOKS MATTER?
Yes.

57. HOW DO YOU RELEASE ANGER?
Humor.

58. OH NO, THIS IS MISSING!
My I-card.

59. WHAT'S YOUR MAIN GOAL IN LIFE?
This'll probably be the cheesiest answer on here, but I want to perpetuate change. I really, really want to make a difference on a global scale.

60. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD?
Barbies. I had quite the collection if I do say so myself.

61. HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOU FIRST FELL IN LOVE?
I don't think I've been in love yet.

62.WERE YOU A FAN OF BARNEY AS A LITTLE KID?
Yep.

63. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
Too much.

64. MASHED POTATOES OR MACARONI AND CHEESE?
Mashed potatoes!

65. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL?
Kindness, taller than me, sturdy shoulders, intelligence, sense of humor, curiosity, creativity, sincerity, priesthood, sense of adventure. Any combination of those...

66. WHAT ARE YOUR NICKNAMES?
Lee-lee, Ivanstein, Bananalee, Lee Baby, Mormon

68. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW?
30 Rock

69.WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH YOUR ENEMIES?
Put yourself in their shoes

70. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
Pistachio, or any kind of chunky, chocolate concoction.

71. DO YOU HAVE ALL YOUR FINGERS AND TOES?
And proud of it.

72. DO YOU HAVE A COMPUTER IN YOUR ROOM?
my laptop

73. PLANS FOR TONIGHT?
What I want, when I want!...Plus some homework.

74. WHERE DO YOU WANT TO LIVE WHEN YOU ARE OLDER?
I wanna be a nomad when I grow up.

75. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?
Sure

76. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?
Beastie Boys...

77. LAST THING YOU DRANK?
Carbonated water

78. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Mary Alice

79. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE IN THE OPPOSITE SEX
Face.

80. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
Read, draw, run

81. FAVORITE THING TO HATE?
Nicholas Cage

82. FAVORITE SEASON OF THE YEAR?
Spring or Fall

83. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF CANDY?
Chocolate chips.

84. HAVE YOU EVER REALLY AND TRULY HAD A BEST FRIEND?
Several.

85. WHAT IS YOUR HAIR COLOR?
It changes, but usually it's some form of Auburn.

86. EYE COLOR?
Changes from blue to gray to green

87. SHOE SIZE?
9-10

88. FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE?
I'm not a huge fast-food person...Panda Express?

89. FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
I've only been there twice, but I love Sushi Samba.

90. DO YOU LIKE SUSHI?
Yes.

91. WATCH TV TODAY?
Right now...

92. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR?
Well it was September 11th in 1989, but it's varied ever since.

93. PLAY ANY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS?
I have a working knowledge of the piano, and I used to play the flute.

94. REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT?
Somewhere between the two.

96. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE NIGHT STANDS?
Relationships

97. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT?
Cake mix, chocolate chips, cabbage, and carbonated water. This purchase brought to you by the letter 'C,' apparently...

98. WOULD YOU EVER BE A HOUSEWIFE?
If it meant I could raise my kids, definitely.

99. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?
Alternating between Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius and Anton Chekov short stories

Well, there it is.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

C'est Parfait.

This blog is going to seem like a jumbled mess with no real point to it, but I have write it all down before I lose my enthusiasm, because tonight, my friends, is one of those perfect nights that only comes around once in a blue moon. Granted, when I say perfect, I mean a very specific kind of perfect. There are different kinds, I think, like 'holiday' perfect or 'first date' perfect, but this one is the most complete of the 'perfects.' There are no expectations for how things are supposed to go for the remainder of the evening, and no hopes for the future than could be dashed. It depends solely on myself, and being completely content with everything around me.

I woke up today around 12:30, which I never, ever do. Ever. I got ready for church, which consisted of little more than a shower, a dress, and some mascara, then Ashley and I went to sacrament meeting. Our sacrament meeting was perfect. There weren't a lot of people there, and the testimonies were very sincere. After church, I walked over to the MC, which was completely empty, and wrote for about an hour. I also got a chance to read a few talks by general authorites. After reading/writing, I talked to Caitie over skype for another hour. I forgot how much I miss her. We talked about everything from Iceland to boys to how crazy it is that we're going to be mothers one day (which, by the way, is mind-blowing if you really think about it).
After that, I went home to find Eric Stephens! We shot the breeze for a while, planned the revolution that is our fight against the 'city hall' of Rexburg Housing, and then he left. Then I had some dinner, read a little, watched part of La Vie en Rose (Marion Cotillard is a goddess, by the way, and watching her as Edith Piaf completely broke my heart). The next two hours consisted of a power-nap, a conversation with my brother and a few other friends, and watching one of my favorite guilty pleasures, Charlie's Angels (not the semi-classic series with Farrah Fawcett, the campy one with Cameron Diaz). Right now, I'm sitting on the couch. It's 12:08 am, I have no homework due, tomorrow is a holiday, the door is half-cracked with a gorgeous night outside, and Thelma and Louise is on TV.

La vie est belle. La vie, c'est parfait.