Grinchie

As if it hasn't been long enough since I posted I feel like I have nothing to blog about.  Never mind that I just finished a semester of school, never mind that dad is being released from the hospital (after 2 weeks), never mind that I purchased a new car...apparently all those things are not blog worthy.  It's a shame isn't it?  This is what my blogging life has come to....pathetic.  However, the Christmas season is officially here, and now that there's somewhat of a hint of snow on the ground I can officially listen to Christmas music (it's an unwritten Jenilyn rule that there MUST be snow on the ground in order to listen to, and enjoy Christmas music).  My Christmas tree has been up since Thanksgiving, never mind that there are only lights and no ornaments on the tree.  I don't wanna be a humbug so I need to get some ornaments on that tree (note to self--get ornaments on that tree). 

Roughing It

Every year growing up I looked forward to Girls Camp.  It meant "roughing it" Young Women style.  It meant playing pranks on other girls, it meant hanging with your Beehive sistas, chilling with the Miamaids, and kickin it with the Laurels. It meant planning lil' surprises for your secret sister.  Wearing brightly colored bandanas.  It meant going on the dreaded "hike" and giving your leaders H for it. It meant the endless annoyance of "camp songs." It meant laughs, late nights, and some serious fun.  It was the ONLY time I ever got to go camping.  As it is, The Chief grew up on an island and claims that he camped his whole life so why would he want to go now that he has a home with running water, a bed, air conditioning yadda yadda yadda.  Fast forward to present day.  I work at a private boarding school for at risk teens.  I am one of their counselors, and every year we go camping.  Part of our trip is a 4 day deep woods backpacking extravaganza.  We carry EVERYTHING on our backs......ON OUR BACKS!  The mosquitos were definitely in season....in fact I think I was almost eaten alive freckles and all. Incidentally, "Off! Deep Woods" was my new signature scent...don't worry, I rocked it.   I came to the realization that as much as I deny it.....I don't like dirt.  It's just so......dirty.  Uphill is not always as hard as I thought it was.  A good attitude and an IPOD are MANDATORY if you have 10 teenage girls hiking with you (word to the wise....an IPOD is  absolutely indispensable).  Sleeping "under the stars" is not as glamorous as it sounds....it's quite uncomfortable as a matter of fact..I mean I have a full size pillow top calling my name every night and you want me to sleep on the uneven, untouched, uncomfortable ground?  As if.  Also, it gets cold in them thar mountains, frigidly cold.  There is NO cell service in the back woods so don't even entertain the thought of an encouraging text msg from your peeps.  Don't even think about updating your fb status bragging to all you homies about what you're doing compared to what they're not doing.  It's all very primitive in the great outdoors. However, the views are breathtaking, the air is crisp and clean, and the scent is heavenly. I loved waking up to the brightness of the sun rather than the the buzzing of an alarm.  Being able to see the milky way so vividly was incredible.  I was in definite need of harnessing my "chi" becoming one with nature, body, and self...highly recommend it.  In reality the good definitely outweighed the bad (by leaps and bounds).  I absolutely took myself out of my comfort zone on more than 14 occasions.  I believe I grew from those experiences.  My patience was tried and tested, along with my nerves.  I surpassed a lot of the "limits" I thought I had.  I learned that I can wear several hats in the same situation...that those hats can be changed at (excuse the expression) the "drop of a hat."  Versatility was not one of my strong points until this trip (this is strictly my opinion).  It was an excellent experience.  Wouldn't trade it for anything......well maybe a weekend in the Bahamas, but you get what I mean.

If I have to....

Oh goodness...the dreaded "S" word....Summer.  There I said it.  You and your delightful weather....with your sunshine and outdoor activities.....your color palette, and flowy summer dresses....darn you to H!  FALSE!  Ladies & Gentlemen of the blogging world you have just been punk'd wicka woooo!  I made you believe I hate summertime...but....really I don't.  I guess I'm just a funny girl...I don't know what to tell ya.
You guys, summer is my absolute favorite part of the year.  For the past 2 summers I have been employed at West Ridge Academy which means that my Saturdays are full of summer fun thought of, planned, & executed by yours truly (and 2 other greats).  We get to plan activities {that WE want to do} and then WRA pays for it.....not too shabby.  I'm always up for suggestions so if you have any.....
Favs about summer?  My tan....shave ice.....the lake....the hikes.....the pool....baby swimming suits....my babies IN their swimmingsuits.....camping.....movies.....rugby games...fireworks.....parties....night games....I mean we could def be here for a while.

Man-chel's Wedding

I've heard that one of the reasons people cry at weddings is b/c they feel like they are losing a son/daughter/brother/sister.  On this specific occasion I did not feel this way at all.  I felt like I was not only getting a new sister, but I was also getting a new and improved Manti.  The wedding was the most fun wedding I have ever attended (I've seen a few in my day.....and this is not just b/c it was a sibling wedding).  Rachel's family is nothing less than classy.  They are fun, they are cool, and they are beautiful.  Everyone was in such a good mood.  The food was delicious, the entertainment was awesome, the flip books were too fun!  The company (and when I say company I mean Groomsmen haha) was fantastic, and the bride and groom were glowing.  It was just a good good day.

What a winner

I mean.....I don't wanna brag but....you guys, he's a pretty great guy.  This little fella not only graduated from the infamous BYU, but he graduated with a degree in Biology.  Over the years I have heard talk of chemistry mumbo jumbo, statistics *gag*, genetics (como?), and thousands of "formulas" which gently put me to sleep once a "discussion" began.
I feel like it was only yesterday that he couldn't say his "R's" and stuttered uncontrollably.  As it is, he is the ONLY college graduate in the family (don't worry....some of us are on our way to graduation).  What a winner.  So proud.  So happy for him.  Snaps to Manti Matthew......what a rad broseph you are.

*Sigh* I wish....

Every now and again I get so busy that I actually WISH to be sick.  The thought of a laying in warm, comfy bed all day, watching television, and taking long,warm showers just appeals to me.  FALSE!  While all those things are nice to think of....it's not as nice as I thought it would be.
I caught a case of the black lung...or...the flu.  I haven't had the flu since I was a bratty 4th grader...now, in my "early" twenties I've come down with this sickness that has drained me of every ounce of energy, but left me with nausea, aches, and pains, the chills, hot sweats, cold sweats, & fingernail sensitivity.
Whenever I'm NOT under the weather being sick seems so glamorous.  You get to stay in bed all day...watch as many movies (or reality tv in my case) that you want, you can sleep or not sleep, you get to feast on yummy soups and crackers, drink lots of liquids, and people feel sorry for you and give you all their attention just to make you more comfortable.  Who could ask for anything more?  Not so.  None of those things were as great as they sounded.  I missed my future-sister-in-law's bridal shower, family Easter gathering (both of which I was more than excited to attend), yummy Campbell food (that only the Campbell's can whip up), being with my family, going out with friends.....what did I get instead?  A long lonely weekend with the Kardashians, and yes, while the Kardash's are my 2nd family they didn't quite measure up to my REAL family.  To break it down the next time I get sick I think I'll plan it differently. It will probably be on a weekend when everyone is in town, and there are no fun activities planned, and I'll most likely send out a mass text to inform everyone of my condition to receive maximum levels of sympathy and comfort.    As it is, I think I'll be a little more careful what I wish for.

Oooh weeeee!

You guys Feb has been such a great month ps. I'm single.....so there's that.  I don't know if the stars are working in my favor or if I am just extra emotional and just happen to be super inspired from all angles.  So...just for fun I decided to list things that have inspired me this month....just for the heck of it.

1.  The new OWN network.  Every time I see Oprah I want to cry, and sometimes I do.  She has given so much happiness to so many people...it is....well, inspiring.
2.  I know I'm gonna get a lot of guff for this one, but you know what I don't even care....not one iota.  Justin Bieber's Never Say Never.  I have never been to a movie that had me LITERALLY dancing in the aisle.  It wasn't about the fact that he's a 17yr old heart throb.  It was his journey that was so inspirational.
3.  The Oscars.  For the record, I do not sit around and wait for award shows to watch....I just don't have time.  I love the fashion and I love the aftershows...but to sit down for 3 hours and watch people get up and be "so completely surprised" that they won then act like an idiot while giving an "acceptance" speech....not my thing.  Last night the elements were in my favor and I found myself comfy, warm, and in good company WATCHING the Academy Awards. Who knew?  What I did NOT expect?  Crying during the finale....but you guys...when PS22 sang "Somewhere over the Rainbow" and then ALL the Oscar winners walked out Oscars in hand....I just couldn't help myself....I just COULDN'T help myself.
4.  Lisa Ling's "Our America."  I've been a Lisa Ling fan since the days of "Channel 1" (did anyone else watch that in Jr High/High School?)  She brings such an eloquent voice to those who are....not normal in "our" society.  She's a brilliant reporter, and has such a way with words and people.  It is a moving program.  Outstanding, eye-opening, jaw-dropping....I mean I could go on and on.
5.  My family.  A few years ago I just had a horrible horrible year...I mean, it was evident that the world was against me....but I bounced back (as one normally does) but, every SINGLE person in my family played a pivotal role in that.  Not just my siblings (who by the way were crucial in keeping me afloat), but my immediate cousins on both sides.  They rallied together and helped bring me back.  Now, looking back....I get a lump in my throat just thinking about how bad it was and how good they were to me.
6.  Rocky & Pam Su'a.  I remember how selfish I was.  My dad would work 15 hr days and come home and ask for a foot rub and I would huff and puff about it. All he wanted was a foot rub...not my right lung.  What a horrible daughter right?  My mom hasn't had a bad day in 15yrs.  (well, let's be honest, everyone has bad days...but she never let anyone see it).  She could be facing the most stressful crisis in America, and still answer the phone with cheerfulness in her voice.  I know we all love our parents so much...I mean it's only natural.  But I think the reason we all think are parents are the greatest is b/c we see what they go through for us and we see the trials they've overcome, and that in and of itself is definitely worthy of praise, but we see that they do it for their families....not for themselves. I am absolutely positive that they would move heaven and earth if they knew it would make us happy...in fact...I believe I have witnessed it a few times. They do it for US....to make US happy....how can we NOT think they're the greatest?  How can we not be grateful?  How can we not be inspired?
All in all February has been a great month.  It's the month of Love.........and I loved it.

Trash....or trashy?

Would you guys judge me if I said I love reality tv?  I mean, it is not necessarily something that I am extremely proud of, but it gets me through the day.  I recently had a little time off and got all caught up on RHO Beverly Hills (RHO=Real Housewives Of) RHO Atlanta, Keeping up w/the Kardashians, Khourtney & Kim take New York,  Oprah Season 25 Behind the Scenes (at least that's legit....right?) & pretty much any of the programs on the new Oprah Winfrey Network (aka OWN).  It was a glorious few days off.  Well anyway, my mom says that reality tv is trashy, and while I do back her up on that very self-incriminating fact...does that make me a trashy person?  I don't cuss, I don't treat people the way they do, I don't by any means consider any of them a role model (except Oprah...ah...heaven bless Oprah).  So....bottom line....am **I** trashy?

I love blog stalking people.  It sounds so creepy when I say it like that.....I like following blogs.  Everyone blogs about the funny, and happy things or successful stories in their lives.  I kinda just wanna give you all a high five...and a big thank you.  I love reading about positivity.  Winter can be gloomy.

Did everyone have an awesome Valentine's Day?  Incidentally, I had a great one.  No really.  I mean, yes I'm single....but I took some time out to say "I love you" to myself, and my loved ones.  It was awesome.  There was not one ounce of desire in me {that day} that made me regret not having a "significant other" in my life.  I have so many people to love and to feel love from, and that in and of itself is a huge blessing.  I am so excited for the spring!  The fashion, the flowers, the feeling in the air, and......the RUGBY!  It's Rugby season folks!  Ooh! I'm excited!!!