On Trying to be a Better Person

Remember this resolution that I made a few weeks ago? Well I've been thinking a lot about it lately. Especially thinking about the impression that I am giving to people---more so being here in this new state, where I am meeting new people almost every day.

Just in thinking about the last few days alone, I feel like I have been failing trying to be a nicer and more outgoing person. Or so it would seem. It's always easy to be nice and outgoing when the person on the other end is making an effort too. And what if they aren't? Then what is expected of me? Am I still supposed to push them and be outgoing?

Here is my recent (and not so recent) example. My next door neighbors just moved. You know, the ones with the dogs. And I was actually really happy about it. Happy that I won't have to endure the awkwardness of me saying hello with a smile, and them looking down and muttering some kind of greeting, or just avoiding my glance all together. Thinking back on it, it really frustrates me.

What's sad about all of this is that we had lived next to each other for over six months, and I didn't even know their names. But they were a young couple with no kids, husband in the marines, and the wife who I think didn't have a job this summer either. It could have been a friendship made in heaven. And yet, I had more communication with their dogs than with them.

I realize that it's my fault that I never found out their names. But when I try to say hi over and over again and only get a cold response, what am I supposed to do? Am I really supposed to keep trying to extract some conversation out of these kind of people? I guess I'm just trying to throw this question out into the world and get some kind of advice or validation from all of you.

I think I do need to try harder. But I just don't understand people sometimes. If I can tell that someone is making an effort to talk to me, I make an effort back. I thought that's just what you do. But then those negative encounters discourage me from trying. But I know that it's no excuse. I know I need to still try. And remember that not everyone is cold and uncaring.

Man, it can be so hard sometimes to just not be a hermit!

My Husband Looks Like Barack Obama

At least that's what everyone in Romania thought. I'll let you decide.

But that's besides the point.

My husband finally found out what his career in the Marine Corps is going to be. Believe it or not, this six month training program of hell is NOT what he will be doing the rest of his time in the Marines. He is going to be a Command and Control Systems Officer. Hmmm...whatever that involves. Stuff with computers and such? You'll have to talk to him about it.

Anyway, this means that he will have to do another six month school that starts the end of June here in Virginia. This means that we will be staying in this area until the end of this year. I feel pretty good about it. And I'm happy that Victor is happy that he got what he wanted.

We still have a lot of stuff that we want to see and do in this area before we leave---like Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Mountains, Hershey, PA, Pittsburg, Virginia Beach, etc. And then after that, hopefully we'll be off to somewhere new and exciting! Stay tuned.

You can take the girl out of Provo, but you can't take the Provo out of the girl

Are you ever exploring new blogs and you are trying to put together pieces of the blogger's life like where they live and such through the first things you read and pictures that you see? Another one that you sometimes easily pick up on is whether or not they are Mormon. And if they are Mormon, where they are in the world. There are always the subtle hints, like references to church and modestly dressed, or the not so subtle "we believe" in the corner.

Here's a recent example.

I stumbled on a fashion blog the other day, and one of the first photos I saw was this

Here's what went through my mind: I am pretty sure I could recognize those streets anywhere. I jogged around them enough. That could be a street south of BYU campus.

Then follows this photo, where at first glance, it's the very dated architecture that BYU is famous for that catches my attention. Then I look closely and see "L. Tom Perry [special collections]" that confirms it. This is indeed a BYU/Provo blog. 

 After that, it's all so easy recognizing some of my favorite Provo locations.

 Judge me if you want, but these fries from Spark Lounge are so yummy that they would be hard to forget.  And of course, the photoshoots at the H-FAC, and other Provo locations.

Then I give myself a pat on the back for being so smart and observant. It's like a game or a scavenger hunt. I'm sure I'm not the only one that does this!

Anyway, that fashion blog is actually pretty good too. As in, some girls that actually have good Mormon/BYU style. Those of you that went to BYU know that sometimes this is not always the case.
The blog is Awkward Girls. Enjoy.

can we just talk about politics for a second?

Ok ok, I'm not going to get into the "issues" surrounding the current Republican presidential primary. That just gets people riled up. I want to talk about what they're all trying to achieve, and that it to beat Barack Obama. Well, history has shown plenty of times what works. Tall, handsome, and well with words. Isn't that why Obama got elected to begin with? I think so. Short little white-haired McCain didn't stand a chance.

Let's look shall we.

 Newt Gingrich. Appropriately named because he looks just like one. Look at that snotty smug look. He is just plain ornery. When you look at his political resume, you can tell he is qualified and capable of running the country. But can he beat Obama? No way. He's unlikeable. And and adulterer. But some people don't care about that. I do.

Oh, Ron Paul. Never mind his border line crazy views on foreign policy. He is just a kooky senior citizen. He's too unstable. One minute I agree with him, the next I'm questioning his sanity. The democratic party is going to eat him up!

Rick Santorum is better, but he still looks and talks like a little boy. He has done a good job of holding his own at the debates, but still. He just seems so boyish. Not manly. Sorry, Rick.

MITT. He has proven himself time and time again. Like I said, let's leave the political views out of it. This guy is good-looking! And he does GREAT in the debates. I love watching the debates for this reason: who can think quickly and give a solid argument, and who just can't handle it. Rick Perry was one of those who looked good, but was terrible in the debates. I think the Democratic party knows that Romney is the only one that stands a very good chance at beating Obama, and that's why they're just waiting to pounce on him.

So yeah, that's what I have to say on all this stuff. Have you been watching the debates?? I love them: mostly because I really love a good argument. It makes me regret not doing debate in high school.

Also, I just have to share some of my favorite political satire as of lately.

This article by C. Jane in the Des News is so hilarious. Please read.

And this video is so great in calling out how Republicans (the candidates) are pretty ridiculous at times. Mostly Newt. I really don't like him.

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

Oh, politics. So fun.

i miss my husband

so, even though i secretly kind of like having the bed to myself,

and although it's nice to watch chelsea lately with the volume up as loud as i want (you'd be surprised how much louder that show is than other shows on tv, and it disrupts the hubby's sleep---well, maybe it's not much a surprise: it is chelsea after all.)

and i'm not gonna lie, it's nice having a break from cooking a legit meal every night. i'm perfectly content with a sandwich for dinner, but 'tis not so for the husband.

but those things are pretty trivial, and i would still opt for my hungry and sleepy husband any day.
i really miss him. i can't even talk to him, which makes it kind of harder.

and i feel bad that i'm hogging the bed while he sleeps on the ground outside. in january.

i really love that guy.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Because I was left again as a lone woman this week, I went on a little adventure yesterday to Philadelphia with my friend Alicia. It was a beautiful day, but COLD. To think that just last week, I was chilling in D.C. like this:

January and 70 degrees is wonderful

So we pretty much were total tourist nerds. We did all the stereotypical Philadelphia things. But that's what you have to do when it's your first time in a city. Next time, I'll do even more exploring. And there will be a next time in Philly, because I really liked this city.

Picture overload!

After hitting up the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were written, we ventured over to South Philly to experience the joys of cheese steak sandwiches. Thanks to these guys for the recommendation to opt for Pat's over Geno's. I thought it was delish.

Rocky, anyone?? Confession: I've never actually seen these movies all the way through.  But I wasn't going to miss the chance to run up those steps! I was out of breath at the top. There was a group of missionaries there too, and they enjoyed taking nametag photos by Rocky. 

Something else that Philadelphia has to offer? Bums. Lots of bums. This was outside the house where T.J. wrote the Declaration of Independence. 

Philadelphia loves you, and I do too. 

important life updates

Victor is now hooked on juicy celebrity gossip, thanks to me. That probably isn't a good thing.

After much searching, I finally found a beautiful Fossil purse for less than one hundred dollars. Try FORTY! I was so happy, and that leather smelled so good that I wanted to cuddle with it all night.


So, I think that's about it.
Important stuff, people.