Dallin showed this to me and I loved it.

Please read it all.
I feel much better about life....
If enough guys read this, I may have a chance....

An article by Rosemarie Urquico:

Date a girl who reads. Date a girl who spends her money on books instead of clothes. She has problems with closet space because she has too many books. Date a girl who has a list of books she wants to read, who has had a library card since she was twelve.

Find a girl who reads. You’ll know that she does because she will always have an unread book in her bag. She’s the one lovingly looking over the shelves in the bookstore, the one who quietly cries out when she finds the book she wants. You see the weird chick sniffing the pages of an old book in a second hand book shop? That’s the reader. They can never resist smelling the pages, especially when they are yellow.

She’s the girl reading while waiting in that coffee shop down the street. If you take a peek at her mug, the non-dairy creamer is floating on top because she’s kind of engrossed already. Lost in a world of the author’s making. Sit down. She might give you a glare, as most girls who read do not like to be interrupted. Ask her if she likes the book.

Buy her another cup of coffee.

Let her know what you really think of Murakami. See if she got through the first chapter of Fellowship. Understand that if she says she understood James Joyce’s Ulysses she’s just saying that to sound intelligent. Ask her if she loves Alice or she would like to be Alice.

It’s easy to date a girl who reads. Give her books for her birthday, for Christmas and for anniversaries. Give her the gift of words, in poetry, in song. Give her Neruda, Pound, Sexton, Cummings. Let her know that you understand that words are love. Understand that she knows the difference between books and reality but by god, she’s going to try to make her life a little like her favorite book. It will never be your fault if she does.

She has to give it a shot somehow.

Lie to her. If she understands syntax, she will understand your need to lie. Behind words are other things: motivation, value, nuance, dialogue. It will not be the end of the world.

Fail her. Because a girl who reads knows that failure always leads up to the climax. Because girls who read understand that all things will come to end. That you can always write a sequel. That you can begin again and again and still be the hero. That life is meant to have a villain or two.

Why be frightened of everything that you are not? Girls who read understand that people, like characters, develop. Except in the Twilight series.

If you find a girl who reads, keep her close. When you find her up at 2 AM clutching a book to her chest and weeping, make her a cup of tea and hold her. You may lose her for a couple of hours but she will always come back to you. She’ll talk as if the characters in the book are real, because for a while, they always are.

You will propose on a hot air balloon. Or during a rock concert. Or very casually next time she’s sick. Over Skype.

You will smile so hard you will wonder why your heart hasn’t burst and bled out all over your chest yet. You will write the story of your lives, have kids with strange names and even stranger tastes. She will introduce your children to the Cat in the Hat and Aslan, maybe in the same day. You will walk the winters of your old age together and she will recite Keats under her breath while you shake the snow off your boots.

Date a girl who reads because you deserve it. You deserve a girl who can give you the most colorful life imaginable. If you can only give her monotony, and stale hours and half-baked proposals, then you’re better off alone. If you want the world and the worlds beyond it, date a girl who reads.

Or better yet, date a girl who writes.

There is a place where the sidewalk ends

And before the street begins,

And there the grass grows soft and white,

And there the sun burns crimson bright,

And there the moon-bird rests from his flight

To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black

And the dark street winds and bends.

Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow

We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,

And watch where the chalk-white arrows go

To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,

And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,

For the children, they mark, and the children, they know

The place where the sidewalk ends.

-----------------

"So come with me, where dreams are born, and time is never planned..."

I am exploding.

Brittani has been planning a trip to Italy. She didn't know anyone there and was trying to figure out who to stay with and how to live, etc. etc. All the awful things that are necessary for such a trip. Well, after trying to contact several people with no success, she decided to just go to a school and pay for room and board, hoping her money would hold out. This was not her ideal plan, but it was at least A plan. Well, she just got a reply from one of her contacts! She is going to be staying with a family in Verona! The whole situation is PERFECT. I couldn't be more happy for her! And look how BEAUTIFUL it is! This is the city she will be staying in. Cerro Veronese. Have you ever seen anything more beautiful??? Oh my! I can't even handle it! Life always works out in the end. I sure love knowing that we have a Father up there that will take care of everything. Bless him....

My cup o' tea....

"A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:

Its lovliness increases; it will never

Pass into nothingness; "

-John Keats

Please just enjoy those.

This week was splendid. Brittani, Emily, Trey, Lucy and I played all day, every day. Friday night, Emily and I went to see Stomp in Portland with Wesley and Jamie (Emily's brother and sister in-law). We left early and went to go get Krispy Kreme. Is there anything more heavenly? Emily and I walked in with our spirits high, but when we caught a glimpse of the donut case we fell into a sort of hysterical desperation. There was no one to turn to. This was a decision we had to make on our own. A hard one at that. In the end, after too much deliberation, we had our donuts. And they were delicious. I wish I could say we ended the day on that tasty note, however that is not the case. As we were buying our donuts, Emily realized she didn't have her wallet. She had left it in Portland at the theatre. (Don't worry, we still got her the donuts.) It was a stress and a half. By the time Emily discovered her blunder, the theatre had closed. We couldn't know anything until the next day. Luckily, it is safe and sound :). (This is all without saying that Emily drove home the next day with no license. I love her.... )

Ummm.... Friday night, Brittani may or may not have come in to Emily and I laughing so hard we were crying. Because of the pain actually. We had been laughing for 10 minutes because we couldn't stop. Don't ask why. It isn't even that funny. It would be so satisfying to say it ended there, but it didn't. It continued the entire night. We did eventually fall asleep.... once our entire bodies were aching.

Emily left on Saturday morning. Erik, Ben, Brittani and I played half the day away. I talked them all into coming to see me! Best. Day. Ever. Well, that may be an exaggeration, but it was a great day. We got ice cream. Watched movies (Fantastic Mr. Fox being one of them...LOVE that movie, by the way). Drove around. Creeped around. It was great. I love all of them with my whole heart. Sometimes I wonder how my heart can fit all of the love, but it sure does a great job. Hmm... besides that? I drove back from the airport today without crashing. Tanya actually was up and moving almost all day. She made green caramel popcorn and it was de-licious. Brittani and I have been trying to figure our lives out. Haven't got that far :). My brother is coming home in 2 weeks. I am 19 and a half.........

I'm sorry, I can't continue.

I need to go cry for a bit.....

"I never touch spirits. Have you some milk?"

Once there was a girl who was lost in time.

That girl was me.

She was insane.

I made that up....

So, I'm not really sure exactly what has happened these past few days. I figure I may as well stay on the random track I've been on so as to not throw anyone off..... Yeah.

Well, what is my latest obsession? This movie. Flipped. I went over to Brittani's house on Saturday night (after our weekly jaunt to Barnes and Noble) to watch it. I didn't know what to expect, knowing nothing about it except that Bailee said it was the cutest movie she had ever seen. My expectations were high. I will tell you it didn't disappoint. I loved every last minute of it. WATCH IT! I am telling you, it is the cutest movie ever! Completely appropriate. I may just be in love with the little boy in it. Don't judge me. Watch it, and you will understand exactly what I am saying to you.....

Well, I had a tough weekend to say the least. I may have gone through a miniature mid-life crisis in just a couple days. No, that is definitely an exaggeration :). BUT, I did have an emotionally rough weekend. Who knows why? I'm not usually a very emotional human being, and sometimes I wonder if I am capable of feeling them at all, but I will tell you now that I can :). But really, I don't need to delve too deep into this. I only mention it because it was the reason I went over to Brittani's house AGAIN on Sunday, after church. I went to Tanya and Travis' ward that day, so I had Brittani come pick me up (both for her sake and mine. We both needed a little break from life. Which leads me, again, to the fact that I love driving around in Oregon. It is BEATIFUL. We took the long way back:). ). So.... this is all just a very long way of saying "I went over to Brittani's house on Sunday night because I wanted a little break." It was a good night. Craig and Tiffani got engaged just the night before (I was there when they announced it! I am always there at the best times....), so the place was in a state of euphoria. Yes, I just said that. George made ribs, AND homemade frozen yogurt. I am told that both of them were the best he had ever made. (Score again!) And I can honestly tell you that I believed I was in heaven. Sometimes truths come with confessions, which leads me to mine. I have never had ribs before. If I have, I can't remember it. Obviously they left no impression on my memory. Having said that, this next part may not seem that spectacular, but.... I believe those ribs were the best ever made. Really George.... you are a genius. (I saw him spray these ribs with apple juice...). The impression is now made. I love ribs...... George's anyway. Which leads me to another thing.... homemade frozen yogurt!?!? What?! Why have I never thought of this?! Another specialty of George. It was so good. I can't even explain..... Needless to say, it was an unforgettable evening.

Bailee couldn't get enough of it. She was half crazed by the time we got the rib in her hand. This is the girl who wants milk and meat served at her reception :).

Congratulations Tiffani and Craig! You are both giant weirdos!

Saturday, before the trip to Barney's (Barnes and Noble. That's what I like to call it. We are pretty close at this point....), Erik, Brittani and I walked around downtown Hillsboro. We didn't do a thing but talk because it turned out all the stores were closed, BUT... we got some great pictures out of it. These two are my favorites in the whole world. I feel like we are all twins from Batman, Turkey (yes, it does exist) who were separated at birth and have now found each other. (I include Dane in this. We are just waiting for him to get here for the circle will be complete.) I honestly love them with my whole heart and am so glad that we are all friends. I don't like to think about what I would be like without them.... Crusty Ranch.... That's is even more than I would be worth. Just so you have an idea.

got it.

also, this is NOT posed. this is Erik. now you have a small idea of why I love him so.

Hmmm, what else? I love this book. This is the Pinocchio book Brittani bought from the antique store. Could it be more perfect? ....... Too bad she snagged it first.

Emily is here again. She left for the weekend but has now come back to me :). Brittani, Emily and I have spent every spare moment we have together. I really don't need to explain how great it has been because I'm sure you guys can imagine. Monday night, we got shakes at Red Robin (One of those times you get drunk off of ice cream. I'm sure you've all had one of those times....) and then fell asleep to "Eat, Pray, Love." Brittani has a trip to Italy coming up soon, so the movie made it even more exciting for her AND me. Julia Roberts first goes to Italy and you get to see so many cool things. It made me want to go so badly! I am so excited for her to go and experience that! I am sure she will go and never come back :). I don't blame her! She even has Italian classes lined up when she goes! And hardcore ones too. 4 classes a day! She's got the right idea. I wish I was smart enough to have thought of that before I went to France. I do have to say though that I think I preferred it the way it was. If I was booked with classes, I wouldn't have been able to do and see a lot of things. I am sure Brittani can handle it though. She is a ninja.

Lately, I have been having some real dread about the future. I still can't figure out what I am supposed to do, or even what I want to do. I feel like a little girl, lost in a huge toystore with invisible exits and all the store helpers are just kids pretending to be grown-ups and are really just as dumb as I am, and all I'm doing is trying to get out and find my parents or else hoping my prince will show up. What a pathetic waste of a midget.......

Tuesday, Emily, Brittani, Trey and I drove to Salem. Emily had a dentist appointment, and we just went along for the ride... AND Pietro's. It's a pirate pizza place. Sort of like Chuck E. Cheese. We had a good time. Lots of laughs. Lots of tickets. Lots of cheating on the Whack-a-Shark game. Good times....

And Today.... Oh today! What was it? Wonderful? Terrific? Marvelous, maybe? Yes to all of them. Brittani came over. We jumped in the car. Went to the dollar store. Bought dinosaur hats and party supplies. Went to Target while wearing said hats, and bought cake mix for cupcakes. Came home. Were laughed at by Tanya. Took pictures. Made cupcakes. Played games. Put up decorations (pirate, luau, spanish). Put on "Feliz Cumpleanos" party hats. Sang "Happy Birthday to Everyone." Ate the cupcakes. Watched an old Batman movie (the "Holy Bikini, Batman!" one). Could it get better? No.

Thank you family for being mine!

Countdown to Dane: 19 days

"I long for scenes where man has never trod..."

I have a cousin named Dallin.

I love him and he loves me. He tells me lots of nice things....

"I remember when you had that kinda prominent vein on the bridge of your nose
I remember when you almost got run over when you were small
I remember shooting the tube with you
I remember christmas morning and you and Dane being there
I remember sneaking turtles with you and climbing the giant rock with Dane
I remember going to your trailer and eating the western family frosted mini wheats
and they always had like 4 or 5 mini wheats stuck together

I remember tie dyeing at the cabin
I remember fishing off of the docks and just getting seaweed
I remember trying to find a good place to sleep at grandma's. the hide-a-bed was the worst.

I preferred the floor
You look very peaceful when you sleep
I remember once I couldn't find any blankets since Tiff and I stayed up till like 3.

I stole one of Hannah's."

Now, I'm just a little girl again with not a care in the world...... :)

"When the fantasy has ended, and all the children are gone...."

Tonight

Travis told Trey and Lucy to go get all of the blankets and pillows they could find ("leave no stone left unturned" is what he said). After piling them high on the air matress, Emily, Brittani and I all took our turn jumping on it. That was the only chance we got. After the kids started, it was delirium. Pure insanity. We never got another chance. But really, it was the party of a lifetime. These are the things kids remember. I loved it. It was so much fun.

And if we are being honest (which we always are).....

I was definitely wishing I was small enough that Travis could throw me right on the pile too.

Mix it all in with a little Nacho Libre, and it has the makings of a dream......

(thank you brittani for having a camera with batteries and using it. thank you also for not copyrighting your photos.)

As a side note, Emily and I took the kids to the Rock Museum today. Not that fun of a place but with that group.... who could say that's not a party? Also, p.s. Emily is here for a little while.

Count down: 24 days

“Pick the day. Enjoy it - to the hilt."

So, I might have just purchased a book.....
An old, beautiful book from an antique shop......

No, I don't regret it.

Heidi.

A big part of my childhood. This is the most beautiful copy that I have ever seen! (Although you can't really tell.... I apologize for the quality of the picture. The battery died before I could get a decent one.)

Now, go ahead and try to tell me that you wouldn't have done the exact same thing. I couldn't help myself. I always regret passing up such treasures. Buying books is something I refuse to feel guilty about. I have a goal to have a library filled with beautiful, old books when I am older. Unlike most of the goals I set, I am working hard to achieve this one..... :)

I just have to rave a little about this store. I will only take up a minute of your time....

It is SO great! Usually antique places are all cluttered and messy and EXPENSIVE. Not this place. This place is like a dream. I would live in it if I could, and I would love every single peice of old in it. I hate it when I find places like that.... I know right away that they are going to take more of my money than I had ever planned on spending. In the end, Brittani and I both bought a book. Heidi and Pinocchio. Both childhood favorites. Didn't waste a cent. Totally worth it. "Times Ten," as Brittani said :).

And while I am spilling my soul, I may as well show you this wonderful ring. You will undoubtedly be asking yourself what is so spectacular about it. Well... nothing really. My heart tells me I love it, so I listen. Whoever decides they love me will get it pretty easy. I am not asking for a diamond or anything. You know... I just am not the diamond type. I know you will all understand. Can you even see me wearing a diamond? Or jewelry? Let's be honest here. No. You can't. I already know. But really though... when you see it on someone's hand, doesn't it look so cute???....... doesn't it???........

And while we are just on a roll here, I may as well tell you how much I love the 500 Days of Summer soundtrack. Brittani checked it out from the library and we listen to it whenever we drive. LOVE it. Honestly, it's a mix of everything perfect......... And you know what else? I saw Erik do a one arm push-up today. It was impressive. It didn't even look hard for him. I guess that's what happens when you work out/box every day and have huge muscles. Which he does. But coming from me, who can barely do 2 push-ups, anything is pretty impressive....

What else is new? Well, Tanya and I are most probably going to be teaming up to make my cousin Justin's baby, Nora (got all that?) a blessing dress. Super excited. Tanya is a sewing genius. Hopefully I'll learn something once I'm done :).

As a side note, Brittani and Erik are on a quest to become classy. This involes listening to lots of jazz, many discussions on what is true class, and the identifying and emulation of all the classy celebrities (namely Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn). Well, I didn't want to steal their idea, but I thought it was brilliant. I have invited myself into their clan. I have invested my heart and soul into this business and don't mean to leave empty handed. I mean really... who doesn't want to be like these two?

Well, that is all the useless info I have for you today. In closing I would like to send a warm "Happy Birthday!" to my Dad and brother, Joseph, along with a fiery jealous rage to my brother, Benj, for making a better cake than I ever could have.

Also, count down: 26 days until Dane gets home. Just sayin'........

Live it up.