Ratatat Makes me Happy

Life has been good since Mesa. I started working at Gloria's Little Italy and I love it. I've also moved into my house, and I LOVE it. It's close to campus (10 min bike ride) and its a real house. I'm having such a good time cleaning it and taking care of the yard. The only problem is that I've lost my retainer... which means that I either have to pay $300 to get it replaced or I let my teeth shift. Looks like my teeth are going to start shifting -suck. Another sucky thing is that I'm quite a few hundred dollars in debt -money still not paid back since London, car troubles, rent, books, and all sorts of wonderful things, so I should be really stressed, but I'm not. I'm making a fair amount of money -I wish I was making more, but once I start actually getting paid I can start to get a handle on my life. I can no longer go to Mexico because of this swine flu and such, and I'm bummed because I was really looking forward to going and spending that time with my dad, and two of my dearest friend's are gone for the summer. BUT I'm ridiculously happy. The sun has been shining, I've been able to make a better friend in an old acquaintance, home from his mission, and Ratatat makes me happy. It comes on and I can't handle myself, the smiling just doesn't stop. I'm really loving life right now, though I had to drop ballet for Global Environment so I can catch up and get into my Social Science major next winter. Life is good. 

Mesa, AZ

Last week I spent in Mesa visiting one of my new favorite families: The Binghams. I had a fabulous time with my dear friend Lauren, and I was surprised to find that I loved Arizona. I always imagined it to just be this dusty reddish brown mass of houses and dirt, but I was happy to find that it was much more beautiful than I would have expected, I even liked the cacti. And I was shocked to see so much green. 

One of the nights we dragged Sean out of the house and we were going to go to a comedy show, but it was sold out so we walked along Mill Street and then headed to a venue where a friend of Sean was playing. Lauren and I enjoyed the warm starry evening outside.

I picked a prickly pear. And while the pear itself was not prickly, the connective fibers were, and they latched themselves to my fingers like nothing else. 

We had to get glue and 'wax' them all out.

In most of our down time we sat by the pool soaking up the wonderful sun that I have missed so much.

Lauren and I being 'models' in Dillards accompanied by David, and their momma. 

Morning of Lumberjack Day. Birthday boy is pictured behind me in a towel. I am pictured with an alligator head. 

David, Lauren, and Kevin bought new flannel at the Goodwill before we headed to a manly breakfast of flapjacks, and biscuits and gravy. 

We then headed to a nursery. David scouted for and purchased a ficus. 

Everyone looks good on Lumberjack Day. 

In honor of the holiday, David chopped that ficus to the ground. 

In the evening we headed to Albertsons (tricking Sean to come along) to buy David's birthday present: a live lobster.

David pictured here with the Dog, Charlie, and the Lobster, Constable Connery.

After about 10 minutes of playing with Constable Connery, we decided he was better suited for dinner than as a pet. Lauren made the pasta and Lobster sauce, 

And I made a dense, but delicious, sponge cake. 

David had a pretty good Lumberjack Birthday I think. 

Lauren and Sean

Me and Kevin

This is what we did most of the rest of the time, sat on the couches and watched The OC. I find it wonderful how much the boys loved it. Though, I can completely understand, I too was once addicted to The OC. 

On my last morning here we did 'Ab Ripper X' 

That was clearly a mistake.

Sean just made fun of us the whole time, which made it hard to concentrate and we were all collapsing in giggles. Thanks Sean. Pictured here he is kicking me. 

Then it was back to The OC before I flew back to Provo.

I had the best time in Mesa. It was fun from start to finish. I love the Binghams and I will miss Lauren while she's in Virginia. It was great to finally meet the rest of the siblings. They are too funny. We'll always have the Mesa times.

What I've Been Up To

I moved back to Utah.  (more like I continued to live out of a suitcase and slept on a very hospitable friend's couch) 

I reunited with all my friends. (much screaming and even some tears pursued.) 

I had an exciting adventure jump starting my car. (scary battery acid) 

I had an Indian Party. (we watched The Darjeeling Limited, Slumdog Millionaire, ate curry, did henna and wore our indian clothes)

I found a job. (Gloria's Little Italy. I'll be serving gelato, making sandwiches and salads, and apprenticing under Gloria herself learning how to make all of her delicious Italian Pastries. wonderful) 

I hosted a tea party for my friend Becky's birthday. (many delicious treats and lovely frilly clothes.) 

I lived in a house with my friends while parents were away. (much feasting and beating back of wild dogs involved)

I had a toga party. (we made Greek food and wore bed sheets)

I suffered through a late April snowstorm. (12inches. Late April...)

I painted three portraits of my friends. (I'll paint one of each of us who will live together in the fall)

I got a swimsuit delivered. (after 2 tries with Spiegel, I went back to JCrew.)

I helped people move out. (end of the semester)

I spent the day in SLC with Lauren. ( we hit up the London Market: they charged unBELIEVABLE prices for Digestives, Marmite, Winegums, and HP, it made me sad. then we looked for a swimsuit and had lunch at CPK)

I flew to Mesa, AZ. (I'll be here for 5 days hanging out with Lauren, enjoying the heat before it's back to school, work, and moving into my new house -nicknamed  "The Headache House" photos to be posted on a future date. )