Girls in Blue

I have been meaning to post this picture for a while now and figured that today was a good day to do it. This picture was taken on a Sunday a couple of weeks ago where it seemed that many members of our ward were wearing some shade of blue. I guess blue is very in this season. So, thanks to Trish for taking this picture with her new Blackberry (for some strange reason I was without my camera that Sunday). I love spring!

Here's Tonya, Trish, Me, and Karen.

Don Giovanni

I love the opera and last Saturday night I had the opportunity to go see Don Giovanni with a couple of friends. We had a great time. The music was great, the company was awesome, and the after party was quite an experience. My friend Tonya belongs to a group called Vivace and as a member of Vivace she receives discounts on tickets as well as an invitation to an exclusive party with other Vivace members as well as the cast after the opera. Since Annette and I were her guests we were able to attend the after party as well. It was interesting to observe the different people at the party and I was really glad that Annette was there because I felt very much out of my element. The food was great and the ambiance was fabulous but the best part was to observe the members of the cast milling about and visiting with the “after party” guests. All in all it was beautiful night full of wonderful music, food, and friends. Thanks ladies!

I caught Tonya right after she had taken a bite of food. Yeah, I'm a great friend.

Annette looking fab!

Three glamorous women!

“I Saw God Today”

There are a lot of reasons why I love living in the Avenues but the number one reason is that I am within walking distance of several parks. And I love taking walks, especially during the spring and summer months, through the Avenues. Last night my good friend Trish and I walked from my house on 4th Avenue down to Memory Grove. We hit the Freedom Trail at the end of the park and as I walked I could not help but notice the peace I felt (even with the number of people and dogs on the trail). It was certainly a beautiful Sabbath day and I relished the opportunity to absorb the beauty around me. The trees are still in the flowering stage and the grass on the hill and in the park is lush and green. Nature certainly is beautiful. This brings me to the subject of my post. “I Saw God Today” by George Strait is one of my favorite songs on Country radio right now. The song is about noticing the hand of the Lord in the things around us. I usually try and notice but ever since this song was released my awareness seems to be heightened. We sure are blessed with abundant beauty.

Have you seen God today? Take a walk and enjoy the splendor!

Out with April and in with May

Where in the world did the month go? I swear April just started! It is a little unnerving how fast time flies for me these days. I remember when I was young and I could not wait until summer vacation and the time just seemed to drag. As an adult time seems to be the one thing that I don’t have enough of. I was thinking about Marianne today and the fact that Baby Girl will be here in a matter of weeks. My mind went back to when she announced to the family in November that she was pregnant and that she was due the end of May. At the time May seemed so far away but here it is knocking on our door and we’ll have a new baby in our family before too long. Crazy! I need more time!

I wonder if there is a way to slow the summer down? September is going to be here all too soon accompanied by cold. *sigh*

I Heart Alias

I have my favorite television shows that I like to watch on DVD and right now I am re-watching all five seasons of Alias. Several years ago my friends and I used have Alias parties where we would congregate at someone’s apartment and we’d watch a disk or two of a season and then we would watch the current episode. It was always hard to turn it off. And we always had to abide by “Matt’s Rules of Order” which meant that you couldn’t talk or ask questions during the show. Yeah, those were some fun times during the Royal Farms Apartments days.

Right now I am in the middle of season two, which in my opinion is the best season of the five. It also seems that I have forgotten how much I love Alias because I can’t seem to get enough. I start watching a disk and I have to make myself turn it off so that I go to bed at a timely manner. And because I watch it at night it totally influences my dreams. I know that I had an Alias type dream last night though I really don’t remember the content of the dream. This used to happen to me when I watched a lot of Lost and I know this happens to a couple of my siblings (right Mike and Mar?).

If you haven’t ever watched Alias and you are looking for an action packed show to watch you may consider giving this one a try. After I am done with Alias I’m going to start on Moonlighting. Ah, good times.

Arches 2008

Last weekend the crazies (the Sloan siblings) went down to Arches for some camping fun. My roommate Becky and Mike’s best friend Jeff (or Jeffe) also came along for the fun. The campsite was awesome and we managed to have fun even with the rip roaring wind that hindered some of the things that everyone wanted to do. The epic light saber battle that Dan had been referring to all week commenced almost immediately after the boys rolled in to camp. Man, that was funny to watch. We also spent a little time at The Windows which proved to be manageable in the wind. And thanks to Jesse for bringing the awesome tent; it was a cool place to hang out.

When we got home yesterday we were wind blown/sand blasted, filthy, and sunburned. Some of us are burned worse than others (especially on the knees). I have an awesome outline of the band-aid I had on all weekend (I fell and skinned my knee Friday night). Yeah, I’m cool! Enjoy the pictures.

Steven, Kate and I are chillin' in the tent eating Shawn's gummy worms.

Shot from The Windows

Another shot from Windows

Kate is chiilin' while the other crazies get their act together.

Yeah, Dan is cool!

Jesse getting wind blown
Mel catching some rays

One of the views from camp

Dan the light saber king!

This is me at The Windows!

Rock Band vs. Guitar Hero

After months of hearing about these two games, I actually had the opportunity to play (not just sing or observe others playing) them last night. Every now and then I get the opportunity to hang out with my good friend Nate and last night was one of those opportunities. We work together but we spend very little time together socially so I always enjoy the times when we hang out. So, the plan last night was to essentially do dinner and a movie at his place. So, I grabbed Café Rio on my way over and we watched The Italian Job (since I had never seen it before). I loved the movie but it was nothing compared to the fun that happened after the movie…Guitar Hero.

We actually started with Rock Band but I was really having a hard time so Nate switch over to Guitar Hero. I had never played this game before so needless to say I was intrigued and a little nervous to play since I know that Nate has been playing/practicing for months. But even though I totally stink, I still had fun. I guess it’s good that I can laugh at myself because if I don’t think I would have had near as much fun. And Nate was a total blast to play with. He even did poorly on purpose so that I could have at least one good round (my personal best was 75%) and not feel so discouraged. Thanks buddy! I guess I learned a couple of things, the first being that I really can laugh at myself and the second is that I really need to work on my hand-eye coordination. Man! I guess it’s a good thing that I can be my goofy self with my friends and feel completely comfortable. I am a lucky girl!

So, which do you like the best, Rock Band or Guitar Hero? I think I could become addicted to Guitar Hero if I got the chance.