Bomb threat?

I think the most memorable thing that happened to me on the first day of school was when my best friend and I showed up for our senior year wearing the same thing. Embarrassing then and embarrassing now that I still remember that, but no where near as dramatic as this one.

Text from sister on wednesday:

ummm so first day of school right... Bomb threat. Stuck in football stadium. 100 degrees. No food no water... I wanna die :'(

-- be careful what you wish for Ace.

Text from dad on thursday:

We are without power. 1.4 million customers in san diego and south orange county. You can only reach us by cell and text. It has been an interesting back to school week.

Text from mom on thursday night:

Check out our romantic evening without electricity. (sends a picture). Your wedding candles are actually coming in handy.

Well, as usual these Carters are pulling through with a great attitude. And as a PR student, I think it's great that they've made the national papers and almost every news channel. The photos will take you to the stories.

Best line in the story - "We thought we were going to die from heat, not a bomb."

*Take Care Carters - and the other 1.4 million*

Weekend inspirations: Brian McKnight

Weekend is approaching, and I'm getting nervous!


What if I never do anything cool? What if I don't have a thing to share except "Michael and I watched Jimmy Fallon" (which I love) as my weekend highlight at work?  Or the most dreaded of all... football.


But weekends like this one give me hope that we can stumble upon unexpected weekend highlights.

Ever heard this song?

In Utah fans don't just sing along. They sing harmony.

The last time I went to the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theater, I was six or seven performing in The Music Man. Ask me to sing a song from that show, and you'll regret it. I know every word.

 

Two weekends ago, however, Michael and I stumbled upon the SCERA for a stunning show under the stars. Mr. Brian McKnight. Singer. Song-writer. Entertainer. Black. He's got it all.

See those smiles? True McKnight fans. Not. We came cause we knew one song. ** see video **

Give it up for the MTC

Rumor has it - the MTC is a bittersweet place.

Hearts are humbled, minds are stretched, testimonies are strengthened, and those boys' girlfriends are gone forever. And, I would have to agree considering bittersweet  is exactly the way I felt when I dropped off my missionaries. 

However, tonight we had an MTC dinner for all the applicant rating team, and truth be told, the MTC is just plain sweet. It was so great to see how much these guys love their job, the people they work with and the message they share. I used to be curious when Michael walked in the door all amped about work, but now I get it.

Gospel's true people. Go forth and preach. 

If you don't believe the cliche that life is a rollercoaster, allow me to prove you wrong. For the past three weeks we have been packing, moving, entering law school, dropping out of law school, traveling, vacationing, homeless, jobless, driving some more, living with grandma, not homeless, employed, and now at peace with our new life and lovely home in Provo.

Over the course of those three crazy weeks, I have cooked, eh, maybe twice? Tonight was cooking night number three and it's pretty nice to be back to the chopping block.

Chunky Sweet Potato Soup: the soup that reconverted me to cooking.

Go here for the recipe.

* Note: I added some pork to make it a little more "meaty" for the man in the house.*

The Streets

L.A.

dirty * colorful * delicious

"What did you do for summer vacation?" Well, on one particular morning, I ate Tasty's Donuts, turned down $1,200 a piece plane tickets to Palmyra, and happened to impersonate Christie at the eye doctor when I picked up Ron's contacts for him. 

"Hi, I need to pick up Ron White's contacts."

"Oh ya, your mom came by yesterday and ordered them. She said you guys are going on a trip."

i just can't give up the actress in me and i think, "play along, staley." 

"Oh ya, we're going to New York for a couple of days. There is a lot of history there about our church."

ha. you've got her fooled AND you're spreading the gospel. go you.

"I know. You're dad's my stake president."

booooo staley.

I laugh and say, "oh right! K bye!" and leave asap. 

The day turned out better than it started. We toured L.A.'s fashion and fabric district, where I was too nervous to buy anything.  Any place without a return policy is not my kind of store.

We moved on to Olvera Street. A lane in L.A. equipped with taquitos, famous avacado sauce, handmade leather loafers, mexican jewelry, candy, knock-off Lakers shirts and the very best people - thanks to Marky and Paul Hatch who obliged to join us.

 

Done and done.

In 'n Out

Welcome to our first apartment and most recently vacated apartment. Because what was once this...

...is now this.


Moving is awful. I've been doing this whole packing and unpacking thing since my fourth birthday when we moved to Germany. But no matter how many times you do it, moving is still the worst. Why is that?
Thankfully, we have the best family and friends who helped tirelessly. Can't tell you what a relief it was that my family, after a 10-hour drive, stopped by our house and dug right into packing.

Well, It's been fun, apartment #302.

Fraulein Pingree

I completely understand that a blog should include things that people can identify with, political beliefs, DIY crafts, pop culture references, food, instagrams... but believe me when I say you wont regret reading about a spectacular person, and now, missionary.

Today is the day I bid farewell to one of the greatest people I've been able to call "friend." She is leaving on her mission to the Alpine, German speaking mission, which includes Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and Lichtenstein.  Any place that uses a glockenspiel, I believe.

Claire is going to be an amazing missionary for a number of reasons.  I feel inspired to make an acrostic poem (Claire = Cozy, lovely, A little tall...) but I'll spare you.



She's adventurous.  She travelled across California with me, a driving and direction mess.  Mostly, she's spontaneous and willing to stop the car at any site we feel inspired to see.


She's picture perfect.


She's as brave as can be.  Here's when we thought we got a tick in Liverpool.  Claire calmly endured a quick surgery of tweezers and carmax while I writhed in fear on the bed next to her.  Turns out my "tick" was a freckle, people.


Claire = popular. We always joke around with Claire about how popular she is, but lets face it, when you are kind to everyone there is no way you wont have a million bajillion friends.


She's a master photographer.  I'm getting this lovely printed for my home very soon.  Can't wait to see all the Alpine pics!


Oh and Claire's a little bit famous for her generosity.  This picture was a full page spread in the BYU magazine last fall featuring Claire dancing at the Best Buddies Ball.

Ich Liebe Dich, Claire Pingree.  Enjoy my long lost home in Germany and love every minute of your mission.  I'll be missing you and obnoxiously writing you way too many letters.