Long Time Away

I recently returned home after staying in 12 different hotel rooms in a 18 day period. CRAZY. Part of that time was spent for work, and the other part was for leisure. I went from San Diego, LA, San Francisco, Vegas, Phoenix, Tuscon, LA, and then back to San Diego.

Recap and Good Times:

- Spending 16+ hours a day with the same co-workers is simply too much. Learning: Dont do it!
- Visited San Francisco for the third time in less than a year. Good times spent with the cousin.
- Thank you Diana for driving for so long to see me!
- My boss went to church with me for the second time. I love my church, and I love to share it with others.
- Saw my nephew in LA. Cant believe that I have a nephew old enough to be in college.
- London Bridge. Not all that exciting.
- Slumber parties in company paid hotel rooms = Lovely!
- Spending time with the Hansen girls in AZ.
- Outlets in Palm Springs in which I found my new favorite bag.
- Glen Ivy Spa!
- Huntington Library in Pasadena, CA. Wish we had more time, as there is so much to explore.
- Eating at my favorite restaurants = Heaven!
- Lovely new flying friend.

Diana in front of the Painted Ladys, aka the Full House houses.

Sam and I out in front of Graumans Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Blvd. Our hotel was only blocks away.

Happiness

"Happiness isn't something that depends on our surroundings, Corrie. It's something we make inside ourselves." Corrie ten Boom was told by her mother, The Hiding Place.

I read this on the train this morning. And oh so true it rang in my ears, in my mind, and in my heart. Its exactly how I have been feeling lately. I feel 100% content in life. Granted, work has been the busiest it has been for me since I started almost 4 years ago. Personal life is crazy busy. Etc. But I really have been happy. I have been content. And I have been simply enjoying the life that I have created for me. Its not perfect. But its mine, and its great. There are still days that I feel like Im drowning at work, or what not. But I just wanted to remember these feelings I have been feeling lately.

I really do love Boston. I dont know if I can ever leave. . . . I fall in love with this city each and everytime I pass over the BU Bridge. For those that have never been here to Boston, come. Just walk across this bridge and look out over the beautiful city. There is something about that just melts my heart and makes me never want to leave. . . . Hahaha, but just dont do it during a blizzard like today. I dont think my love for the city would with stand being frozen to death on the bridge!

Im a big kid now!

So. Its time. Its time to be a grown-up. Its time to move out on my own. . . . I have decided that Im moving into a studio apartment. No roommates. Just me! Im so excited. Ill post pictures when I finally 1) move, and 2) have it presentable.

Ah, to not be woken up at midnight from a roommate singing. Or returning home from a business trip to a dirty house with days old dishes in the sink and stuff all over the apartment. Or just simply not having to talk when I have had a long day and dont want to talk. Im simply excited to have my own space! Wahoooo.

Romney Rally

Tuesday is my standing dinner date with a friend. We have been getting dinner every Tuesday for the last few months. But this Tuesday, it wasnt just dinner. . . . (Which was amazing, by the way. We went to Ivy in downtown Boston. Its an italian tapas restaurant. Yum!)

Blair and I also headed at to the Roment Rally being held at the BCEC. It was such a great experience. We got there relatively early, 730pm. Not too many people were there, say 100. But people trickled in for hours. It was fun to see what it was like. To be apart of the excitement. 1030pm Mitt finally spoke. This was my first time hear him speak in person. It was quite amazing and rejuvinating to hear him live. He envokes a sense of Patritism in one. . . .

Here are some pictures from the event.

Blair and I enjoying the Mitt Mits! This was at the beginning when there was still plenty of standing room. There were TVs posted throughout with CNN showing the results.

ME, Blair, and M.E. my roommate. She worked on the campaign.

Mitt and Ann speaking. Both Amazing to hear in Public. . . . Come on people. Wouldnt you rahter have these two people be the face of the United States and not the other possiblities. Oh well. To each their own.

Ha. I thought this was a funny picture. Or maybe it was because I felt like a School girl waiting to shake his hand afterwards, and this proves that I was close as this is without any zoom.

Senor Panchos

This weekend was quite a busy one. And sorry to say I have no pictures to prove it. . . . Started with Afghan food on Friday Night. I know, I know. The picky girl went to an Afghan restaurant. And it was good. . . . It was a date, and then we played games at my house. It was nice.

Saturday started with working out, running errands, visiting with old friends/newly weds, funeral service for President Hinckley, and then off to CT all by 2pm. I meet up with my brother and his family down at their house they are building. And then we meet up with the rest of the family at Moms house (Megans Mom), along with dropping off the kids. (Jenny felt so inspired to introduce me to this guy in her branch. Matt, this guy, is friends with her husband Darrin. So, This event was the talk of the Talyor family all week. Im glad I can give all the married people in life something to talk about! Im here for you.)

We pilled into the mini-van and the seven of us headed to Senor Panchos. It was a weird thought, that if anything happened to that car, then Mom and Dad were going to be raising 6 grandkids. Bad thought. . . . We get to the restaurant and make all the introductions. . . It was fine. He was a nice kid. I felt lots of pressure from the family, simply because I know that Im so awkward around people . . . . . Conversation was good, and he was able to hold his own in the situation. He stepped up to the plate and paid for me. Very nice. We went back to the Taylors for Oreo Shakes, and he meet all the little ones. Lots of political talk, and "how we meet talk" from all the marrieds, etc. It was good, but he never asked for my number. So, I doubt he will call, but this all made for a good story.

Sunday was quiet. Church with the family. Dinner. Nap. Playing with the Baby. Just simply good times. And then the long, boring, stupid ride home. Granted, Im so glad that its only 1.5 hr drive to see my family. But its just lame by myself.

Cute comments from Jack today:

Jack, 3 year old being woken up at 8am for church, "But Im stil tired, I want to go back to bed."

During the ride home from church -
Me. "What do you want to do after church? Lets take a nap."
Jack. "Lets do a puzzle, then we can take a nap."
Me. "Sounds like a great idea."
Jack. "But Only if I can wear my jammies."

When I was leaving.
Megan. "Why dont you just move in with us?"
Me. "Sure, just need a job to pay for my car." (Dang Car loans!)
Megan. "Jack dont you want Lisa to move in with us?"
Jack. "Humm, yes. Next week."

AHH. I could just eat that little one up.

Love at First Sight

Dont jump to conclusions. This is not what you are thinking. My undying love for some guy. Sorry, not there yet, at all! . . . But it is another love story of mine.

This story starts in Boston about 2 years ago. I was really missing music in my life. Being Commuter, and not having the time before and after work filled with a car ride and radio/cd ablities, therefore, I was truly missing the blessings of music in my life. . . . So I made the plunge and bought a Mini. I couldnt fathom the idea of spending and arm and a leg on a "gadget." So I went with the reasonably priced mini. But the last few years have helped me realize the beauty of this so called gadget. (I actually didnt want to follow the crowd and get an iPod, so I first got something else. And it DIDNT work and not worht the hassle. I think it was a Samsung.)




During my last trip to Florida, I was rushed getting the rental car returned in order to make it for a standby flight. Needless to say that I didnt get the chance to clean out the car, and I left my iPod in it. As I dont usually use my iPod on the weekends, I didnt realize that it was missing until Saturday night. My stomach dropped and I just wanted to cry. My iPod was like my left arm. Like my friend. Always there, willing to lending a word or two of encouragement. . . . And now no more in my life. As I wasnt 100% where it was, I didnt have the heart to go through the pain of other people telling me that they didnt have it.





So, my new love. I now have an iPod Classic. Its b-e-a-utiful. Its Black, and shiny. And hold LOTS of music. Ive only had it for a few days, but I already love it. All I could ask for and more. Thank you.

President Hinckley

President Hickley passed away this evening in SLC. He was 97 years old, and has lead an amazing life. He will be missed greatly around the world. But Im sure he is so happy to be home with his dear wife.

I grew up hearing stories about him, as he was in my mothers ward in SLC before marrying my father. He was a humorous, loving, kind, dedicated soul. I have enjoyed his addresses, and humor he brought to the meetings. He was such a kind heart, and source of stengthen for all the members of the church. The world is blessed by his desire for temples to dot the world. His legacy will live on.