Not-So-Shining Moment

Saturday, September 15, 2012



Alright, everyone. We need to have a little pow-wow.


By the way, anyone ever wonder how the word pow-wow made its way into mainstream conversation? It sounds like one of those word phrases that you see in a book for infants who are learning sounds {i.e. The dog says pow-wow!}


Just something I've been thinking about...


So, anyway. Our pow-wow.



I consider myself to be a significantly observant person. I pride myself on the fact that little things don't usually go unnoticed with me. 



Girl at work gets a haircut? Compliment.

Roommate's shoulders hanging a little low? Chocolate. 

Professor walks in a little too happy that morning? Pop quiz en route. 

Boy sitting behind me in stats class' breath getting a little rank? Altoid.

Just kidding. 

Kind of.



You get the point.


Today, though. I realized I'm not as sharp as I thought I was...





Here's the story.




So, the man and I had a pretty fun-filled summer, and about 90% of it was spent with each of our families. That means that time to just be together and have normal conversations seriously decreased. 

No complaints, we had a GREAT time! 

But we thought we'd take this Saturday afternoon to ourselves to get some lunch, maybe catch a movie and just be alone. 

Josh told me that he'd plan the whole thing and sent me off to my 3-hr work meeting, assured that we'd have a fun afternoon planned out by the time I got back. 

When he picks me up he tells me that he'd forgotten the movie tickets at his apt and asked me where we wanted to go for lunch.

I get excited at the prospect of taking him to this place called the Taco Bus, which is pretty much what it sounds like- a school bus converted into a mexican food dive. Pretty legit.




Courtesy of The Daybook


We get to Josh's apartment to pick up the tickets and, eager as I always am to not waste time I say,


"Want me to turn the car around while you run up and grab the tickets?"

"Well, I actually need to use the restroom, so maybe we'll just park and we can both run up for a sec"

Slightly reluctant- "Oh, ok."

On our way in I ask if Josh has any parm cheese for a dish that we're bringing to our friend's dinner later that night. He's not sure.

We get up the stairs and walk into his small apartment where my attention turns straight to his roommate who's watching Lord of the Rings (a nerdy passion of mine) so I sit on the couch and start watching with him.

On the way to the bathroom, Josh yells,

"Hey why don't you go check the kitchen for that cheese you were looking for?"

Sucked in to the movie "Uh, that's ok."

"You sure?"

"Yup."

"...Do you want a water or anything?"

"Nope. I'm good"


Obviously you can tell by this point that I'm practically Sherlock Holmes with my observational skills.


A few minutes later Josh walks out of the hallway, past me and into the kitchen

"McKenna."

"Yeah?"

"Can you just come into the kitchen please?"

.......

"Why?"

"*Sigh*... I just... have to show you something!"


Finally Now slightly curious, I walk into the kitchen, which is perfectly visible from the first time you walk in the doorway to see...



THIS.



That, my friends, is a homemade greek-quinoa salad {the man put FETA in it for crying out loud!!} set out with a sweet rose. 


*Mentally smacks self over the head for being the most air-headed gf EVER*



Do we need a re-cap?

OK.

Conclusions we came to today are as follows:



1. I will get sucked into any and all showings of LOTR

2. Boyfriend is super sweet, and a master of patience

3. I digress that I am not, as previously conceived, very astute with observation.

4. a.k.a. Homegirl is a bit of a space case.



But all was not lost. I still got a yummy meal and a rose out of it.








Boy do I get lucky sometimes.



Fall in Love with Fall

Friday, September 14, 2012




Quick note on my absence from blogging over the past few weeks:




"Eh-em... Life happens and I get lazy."





The end!


(Chanel, considering you're probably my only reader that was mostly for you.) 





Summer was absolutely amazing and I'll have to tell you about it when I have more than 10 spare minutes to blog.




On to more important numbers...


33°  

 
 That's what the temp was yesterday morning as I left for class.


Good grief, people. Where did my sweet summer go? Seriously there is no sneakier transition than summer to fall. Talk about getting the sunshine-happy rug pulled out from under you...




BUT there is a silver lining to this everyone. And instead of boring you with a monologue as to why, I prefer to show you.

































You bet I just overloaded you with my virtual Autumn on pinterest.

Side note: I'm trying to wean myself off of using so much internet pictures, but I mean, come on, do these make you want to light a fire, throw on some wool socks and curl up with a Jane Austen or WHAT??



Fall, you may have stolen summer from me, but for now I will embrace you and all your holiday wonder-ness. 





The first Fall activity that the man and I partook in as an initiation back into Rexburg life was a hike up in Table Mountain, near Jackson WY.

We were unequipped with the proper shoes as well as unaware of how long the hike would really be, and although we absolutely love the idea of being avid hikers, our experience is still a little low...

The hike was 16 miles (my feet hurt when I type it) and it took us about 8 hours with our 2 traveling companions.






This picture was taken about 5 miles in, when we were still happy.



The Alaska basin hike is amazingly gorgeous, and we got to watch the sun come up as we were making our way up the mountain. (a.k.a. we left crazy early in the morning in order to beat a majority of the heat. Boo.)









By the time we reached our destination, a "lake" (more like a pond) at the top of a screaming shale-covered death hill, we were a little tuckered out. 



Yes, that is a Dunder Mifflin shirt Josh is wearing.


 
Nearing the end of the hike, we under-estimated how much longer it would take us to make it back to the trail-head. I had a strained foot and was seriously slowing down the group. 
Sorry I'm not that tough. Plus my shoes suck.


I thought we mayyybe had a mile, possibly half a mile left when we saw the worst, meanest, most awful sign ever that said 


"2.7 miles until trail-head"



That meant a possible 2 more hours with the pace we were making.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wanted to cry a little bit. Or laugh. Fits of hysteria were on the brink.


Instead I decided to pick up the pace for the sake of everyone else and began what I like to call 'hobble-jogging' with my gimp foot as fast as I could for the next 3 miles. It was all I could do, man.

Josh, being the supportive person he is while suffering his own ailments, turned on some inspirational music on his smart phone to inspire a bit of speed in all of us. Think, Eye of the Tiger, Takin Care of Business, Waka Waka and such.  

What a guy.


After two snake sightings that scared the hobble out of my gimp, and an hour and a half of attempts at 'enjoying the scenery' I finally caught glimpse of a car.

I don't know if I've ever been more happy to see a parking lot. Or take a shower. Or sit down. Or not be on a mountain. Or never see another rock again in my life as long as I live.


You'll notice me on campus by my slight, shameful limp.

 

Happy hiking, everyone.

 

Happy Things

Thursday, August 9, 2012



Once upon a time I lived in the dorms at BYU-Idaho. 







I was hesitant once I got to school, found my dorm room, and saw cinderblock walls all around me, not to mention the musty smell that was coming off a few pieces of furniture... 

I was a little nervous.

One thing that helped tremendously in getting over my worries and fears about my apartment, and college in general, was making friends with my neighbors!

My apt, as well as the next three apartments down from mine would all remain pretty close throughout the semester, and some of us would remain close for the next four years of our college life.


One of those girls, who started out as my neighbor and turned out to be one of my closest friends, is miss Terra Lora Lee.






Terra is one of the smartest, most considerate, laid-back, and overall coolest people that I know. I can't wait to see what this girl does in the world {no pressure...}



Speaking of the things she'll do....






She's getting married!



To this guy!



Right?!?!? 

Terra and Joe will have gorgeous little blonde-haired children.



I am just over the moon for them and can't WAIT to attend their wedding in just a couple short weeks!


They were also kind enough to ask me to design their wedding announcements for them, which was such a blast for me, really. I love designing in general, but when you get to incorporate the style elements of a good friend into your design, it really becomes something special.


So here is it's blog debut :)







Congratulations Terra and Joe!





Things I ♥ ...

Monday, August 6, 2012





... about summa time!

Sorry if this is coming a little late for most people. Trust me, I do realize that most everyone's summer is quickly coming to a close {Arizona school system much? My little sis has already started her senior year!}

But me? I'm still soaking up eeeevery little bit of sun, naps, and reading time that I can!

This morning, while I was doing some laps in the pool {HA. I say this like it's a regular occurrence. Trust me, it's not.} I was thinking about why summer is one of the best seasons EVER! 
I'm sure that I could come up with a hundreds of items-long list, but there's a few special reasons why I personally think summer is bestest. 

1. The food. 

Detox Salad via Iowa Girl Eats
  

Mango Lassi Strawberry-Honey Yogurt Popsicles (right?!) via Dessert for Breakfast


Maple Glazed Chicken Kabobs & Jalapeno Salsa via (my idol) The Pioneer Woman


Raspberry Pie via The Pioneer Woman

Raspberry Sorbet in Lemon Cups via Someone's Tumblr

Chicken & Barley Salad via Iowa Girl Eats


Heirloom Tomato & Asparagus Salad via Iowa Girl Eats



Watermelon Side Dish via Oh My Veggies




Let's be honest, most of my favorite things have a connection to food. I live and love to eat, and summer BBQ's, juicy fruit, vibrant-colored dishes, and fresh lemonade-y drinks make it the ULTIMATE season for food! 

Don't believe me?

Visit your local grocery store and take a little walk in the produce section. Most of my {and hopefully your} favorite items are wayy discounted!
Still don't think it's all that great? Go take a whiff of those plump peaches near the front. Repeat. As many times as possible.


2. We all look hott in the summer. 
4th of July 2011 w/ the roomies


For several reasons:

- It's hot most places, so we drink more water. H20= Healthy glow & energy!
- Appetite can drop in heat so we're not gorging ourselves like its pre-hibernation. Despite the afore posted pictures and their deliciousness. You're usually eating less, and even if you're not, you're eating healthier, fresher foods!
- Tans. Thank goodness for the changes a good tan can bring. {p.s. for all you fair skinned ladies out there who get frustrated over their lack of pigment, you pretties will stay looking young FAR longer than the rest of us!}

3. That tired, worn out feeling after a day out in the sun. 

Haha. We were all sooo burnt.


This is one of my favorite feelings in the world. Your body is absolutely drained from all of that sun and outdoor activity, and the only thing that sounds good is spending the rest of the night showering, watching a movie, and playing some cards. Mmmm...

4. Warm nights.

I love to be outside. And there's something so satisfying about enjoying an evening in perfect temperatures with your favorite people. Whether it's a roasting marshmallows at a bonfire, watching a game at the fields, or just taking a walk, I relish that feeling of the day coming to a close and watching the skies change. 


Especially when I have this guy to enjoy it with. 





Yup. I love most everything about you summer. So stick around for a while, will ya?

Summer Aspirations

Saturday, August 4, 2012


One thing I enjoy most about summer is the time to soak things in and appreciate the things around you that school and work can often make you to busy for. I have time to be inspired by a lot of things that I might not have really taken into consideration before July, so I thought that I would share some. 



Things that are inspiring me lately:





1. Tranquil pictures of oceans and other bodies of water.


2. Empowering quotes


"I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul"

"The standard of your circumstance does not have to dictate your level of happiness or humility towards life"


3. Good reads


You see this man?

This is Dale.

Dale Carnegie.


You see that book in his hand?

He wrote it.

It's called 'How to Win Friends and Influence People'

And it happens to be a great book that I would put on any man, woman, or child's list of things to do to improve themselves as well as their overall outlook on how the small things in life really are what matter most. 

"Are you bored with life? Then throw yourself into some work you believe in with all your heart, live for it, die for it, and you will find happiness that you had thought could never be yours"
- Dale Carnegie



4. Past journal entries and the fact that they hopefully mean that there is progress in my life.



5. Traveling pictures via Pinterest





I am just itching to pick up and travel places.




I love the time that summer gives you to think and do the things you don't normally have time for. 

Not to mention the time it gives you to lounge by the pool.  

Hey, a summer tan is a good aspiration, right?