happy father's day!

It's been nine years since I have bought my Dad a Father's Day gift. It seems weird to me that it has been so long. Usually around this time of year I lay low and do my best to treat this Sunday as I would any other Sunday, as a protective measure. But for some reason I'm a little more open and as a result, a little more emotional than I would like to admit today. Sitting here, alone in my apartment has given me considerable time to reflect upon life and what I value as important. And aside from the Gospel, my family (which is central to the Gospel Plan) is the most important thing in the world to me.

I miss my Father...very much. I miss having him around and knowing that he would be home whenever I returned. I miss his silly jokes that he thought were hilarious. I miss hearing his beautiful singing voice at 3:00 in the morning. I miss how excited he would get on payday when he could take all of us out for dinner. I miss his love and passion for the Polynesian culture and I miss that same love and passion that he had for the Gospel. He was the kind of man that would reach out to his home teaching families several times a month. He was the kind of man that would make a whole bunch of extra food so that he could deliver meals to families that needed them. He was the kind of man that would call old friends out of the blue just to let them know that he was thinking of them. He was the kind of man that taught me that service isn't always convenient but that you do it anyway. No questions. No complaints.

And so, I miss him.

But I have decided that just because he isn't around anymore, it doesn't mean that I can't get him a gift. Now don't worry, I'm not delusional. I don't think that there is some special courier that can carry an item from this life into the next, but I do think that I can do something in honor of this great man--a different kind of gift. So from here on out, I will revisit the idea of a "gift" on Father's Day. I will do something or change something in my life that can show him that I love and honor him despite the distance. I just won't have to wrap it.

And so, Dad, after much thought, I think that this year's gift from me to you, will be my adoption of one of your mantras--"Service is never convenient, but you do it anyway. It's not for you. It's for others." The funny thing about this gift is that I think that ultimately it will bless me more than it will bless him or anyone that I choose to serve. Isn't that always how it works though?

Ayway, I miss you dad. I love you and I will love you forever and ever. Happy Father's Day!

free agency vs. the nba playoffs

So my mom is a huge basketball fan. Whenever there is a game on, you can be sure that she is watching...especially if it is the Utah Jazz. Playoff games, however, also draw her attention.

Last night I was chatting with her and of course, the Lakers vs. Orlando Magic game was on. It was the 2nd game of the Series. The Lakers were up by a small margin and then my mom said one of the funniest things ever in reference to the Lakers and making them mess up (We HATE the Lakers):

"I know that we fought over free agency, but sometimes I wish we could make people do things."

Translation: Yes, we fought over free agency in Heaven, but if she could she would probably "force" (in a voodoo sort of way) the Lakers to mess up badly enough that they would lose.

I thought it was hilarious and loved that she would even say that.

I love you, Mom! Thanks for always making me laugh!!!

i am not your consolation prize. goodbye.

So I finally saw "When Harry Met Sally".

DAMN that Friend Zone...DAMN THAT FRIEND ZONE!!!

And so as the story goes..."I am not your consolation prize.  Goodbye."

i can't help myself

I can't help myself....



Nigel Barker


Jay Manuel

...but i just have the biggest crush on these two men:

Nigel Barker (first photo) and Jay Manuel (second photo)

Both are on America's Next Top Model--a reality show that I am strangely addicted to. I say strangely addicted because

1) I hate reality TV

2) I always made fun of this show but my friend Jeff was watching an ANTM marathon one day when I came to visit him. I was making fun of him and the show for about the first 20 minutes and then I was totally sucked in. I was fascinated that these models looked like normal people without makeup and getting their hair did. :) (save the fact that they are all skinny minis and that models that are a size 2 are considered on the heavier side)

3) I don't really HAVE to watch it all the time. If I miss an episode it's not the end of the world

4) It's not really the show that I like, but rather the transformations at the photo shoots. It's amazing what make up and stylists can do.

Anyway, aside from the photo shoots, my favorite parts of the show are Jay and Nigel. Yes, Jay is not into girls, but I adore him. He is so good at what he does and is just plain awesome. I have the biggest crush on him!!! When he comes on screen I am screaming and clapping (in my heart) just like those silly 19 year old model wannabes. And Nigel, oh sweet Nigel...well, just look at him. He is incredibly sexy. Seriously, I can't get enough of him. He too, is super talented. He is a noted fashion photographer and a judge on the show. And to top it all off, he has a fabulous English accent. How hot is that?

Anyway, I love them. The end.

oh to be rich!!!

Oh to be rich!

There are very few instances wherein you get paid to do something that is completely enjoyable. (Don’t think about that too hard.) But for me, the other night was one such occasion.

For work I was asked to help out with a charity event. But this was not just any charity event—it was a bachelor auction. :) My evening was full of 20 handsome, charming, and eligible bachelors. Needless to say, I was in HEAVEN. I am still giddy just thinking about it. Fortunately for me, my primary role was to check-out…I mean, check-in the bachelors and then to work with them throughout the evening and to ensure that they connected with their dates. As such, it forced me to be in close proximity to a few of them several times throughout the evening. And these particular gentlemen were my favorite, so I was not complaining in the slightest.

A few things that I loved about the event:

1) THE MEN—duh! Not only were they beautiful, successful, and donating their time to charity, but also, they were very sweet. Some of them had fabulous English or French accents, some of them kept me laughing the whole time, some of them were refreshingly forward and invited me to go upstairs to the bar after the event was over, etc. I was happy.

2) As part of the check in process I had to get their contact information and then pin a rose on their lapel. This required close talking and a lot of touching.

3) Flirting galore—these bachelors were so fun and easy to flirt with. I’m sure that they were just as flirty with lots of other women there but I was still loving my life. Who doesn’t love it when men stare deeply into your eyes and flash you an endless smile, stand close to you, put their arm around you, pull you closer to them so that they can hear you better, call you darling in an English accent, and then engage in playful banter?

4) Goodnight kisses—need I say more?

And so I end where I began--Oh, how I wish I were rich! I would have bid on at least four of them. At one point, I even started to consider what I could sacrifice during a month if I laid out several hundred dollars for one of them. Clearly, I didn’t make a bid, but boy did I want to! I guess I should start saving my money or I should have asked for a non-profit discount. :)