My mom told me not to get all political...

When I first heard about the economic stimulus checks that President GWB was issuing, I was all, "I knew I voted for you for a reason". I do not pretend to be knowledgeable in that many aspects of politics - so if you want to debate me you will probably win. What I do know is that I like money and I really like it when the government decides to give me my money back. And, I actually have a hard time believing that any of my left-winged friends got their check and were all, "Damn you GWB! Please keep my money! I don't want this!" So, if you were one of those people that thought the ES plan was a waste, then go donate your money to whatever cause you want. I can also bet it will make you feel good when you can distribute your money the way you see fit. That is all I have to say about that.

Anyway, I have debated on what to do with my $600 refund. What could I do, little ol' Natalie, to help our economy? Probably not much by myself. But if anything, I was going to use that $600 to do what it was intended to do....stimulate the economy.

So naturally, I took a picture of myself depositing it into my savings account. Might as well earn some interest on it until I can decide how to spend it. Plus, I already had this blog post formulating in my head and knew I needed visual aids.

After a few weeks of research, I spent my money last week. And this is what I bought:

Canon Rebel XSi Digital SLR camera

I couldn't be more excited! I also couldn't be more overwhelmed. I haven't a clue how to use this thing. However, I did take the camera out and take a few shots. I just used the automatic setting because all the options stress me out.

My very first picture with my new camera:


A few others:


Furthermore, this little $600+ some is just the beginning of my contributions to the economy. Because now I will continue to purchase lenses, print photos and more than likely spend loads and loads of my own money to further my new hobby. Oh, and I am taking a photography class in September - so, I just gave someone a job too.

In conclusion, for all those that might disagree with my political opinions, that is fine. But just know that every time I post a picture that I took from my new camera and you like it, you are saying you like GWB - that's all I'm saying.

It's called eavesdropping and I'm good at it.

A few posts back, I talked about a website called Overheard In The Office and how I submitted an "overheard" moment in my own office.

Well, Internet - I'm now a published writer...er, eavesdropper. Thanks Nicole (my coworker) for saying something loud enough for me to write it down.

The 9am slot is the quote. Here's the direct link if you feel so inclined to check the actual source. Posted on 7/25/08.

I'm going to call him, Dancing Queen!

Yesterday was my birthday. I have been telling everyone I am 21. Unfortunately, I don't look 21 - so it's not really that believable. Yesterday, I ate one of those oh so delicious Dove chocolates that have the fun sayings in them, to which I had high hopes for the quote inside to be inspiring because one time I opened one and it said, "Be a little mysterious" and I was all, "Dove Chocolate, you are so wise." But yesterday, I was not so lucky. Mine said, "Age is nothing but a number." You know what Dove, I take it back, you're really not so wise.

I actually enjoyed my birthday. Even though I had to work, because apparently in adult world you don't get a day off, my day was very enjoyable. The nice thing about a birthday is that people seem to buy you things just because it's your birthday. Like my co-worker Josie*, she bought me a Carmel Apple Cider from Starbucks on our morning Starbucks run. My friend Sammy bought me lunch at Albertos. Yep, I said Albertos. Call me classy.

Dinner was spent with the family and Jinny and Bob. I can always count on Jinny for a quality birthday card:

It's like she knows my very thoughts!!!

Anyway, I was tempted to ask my mom for a two-tiered birthday cake, but when it came down to it, I just wanted cupcakes. I do this so I can eat more cake but still feel like I have only had like, 10 bit sizes pieces.
The best part of the evening is when I told my family I wanted to see Mamma Mia - and that because it was my birthday, we were going. Alex tried to convince me that I didn't want to see Mamma Mia, but that I wanted to see Batman again. I told him that if he loved me, he would do as I say. Was I being; Abusive? Manipulative? Demanding? Of course. The attitude of any true birthday girl.

Here we are before the movie. Alex is all happy and smiling.

Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of Alex after. Because he was all, "That was the stupidest movie ever!" And I was all, "That was the best movie EVER!" And it was. It was.

Thanks family for treating me like the princess that I am - even if it was just for one day.

I slept on an air mattress and still managed to complain

For someone that really doesn't like camping, I find myself camping a lot. It's not that I don't enjoy being outside - it's just that I don't like being dirty, I don't like sleeping with the bugs and other creepy crawling critters and I don't enjoy sleeping with the full moon shining in my face. Other than that, camping is fun.

Friday night my ward had a campout up at some stake property near Woodland. We roasted hot dogs, ate smores and sang camp fire songs. You know, the typical mormon campout thing to do. I made sure Kenzi brought her queen size blow up air mattress so I could sleep properly. If it's one thing I do right, it's sleeping in style when I camp.

The next day we hiked the Silver Lake trail up in Deer Valley and rode the lift down. The hike was absolutely beautiful. I realized this weekend how much I really do enjoy living in Utah. I also realized that I need to start going to gym.

Here are a few pictures that I stole from my friend Justin. Once I have properly stolen my friend Brady's pictures, I will have more to post. This will do for now.

Maybe I am considered one of the weird ones?

Last weekend I went to the Journey/Heart concert with a bunch of my friends. Now, I have only been to two other concerts at USANA and figured it never really would get all that packed. Well, when Kenzi and I arrived at 7:30 and were sent to park in the overflow of the overflow, I was all, "THIS IS GOING TO BE AWESOME!" And it was. It was.

I mean, pretty much I was surrounded by people that looked like this:

And this:

Binoculars - Check

Ear plugs -Check

Cut off shorts - Check

Big Fat Heineken - check and check

Awesome - with a capital A.

Other than the state fair, I don't think there could be a better place to see such quality people.  At one point, a group of chicks were walking by us with their HUGE cups of beer and kenzi's all, DON'T SPILL, DON'T SPILL! Yes, because spilling that $7 beer in her Coach purse would have actually been an tragedy.

Pictures:

Here are some really crappy videos off my phone.  I love that in the second one, all I can think of to say is, "I'm recording!" Wow.  I sometimes wonder how I graduated college.

It's our goal to be successful in our goals

Mackenzi: Our next line item - we need to find cute boys that have money.
Me: Uh... hasn't that been our plan all along?

Another year older..

Today is my mom's birthday. I won't tell how old she is because honestly, I am having difficulties telling people how old I am turning on my next birthday. So, I understand :)

Anyway my mom, know as Penelope to all - but Mom to me, is a wonderful woman who has taught me many of great things over the years. Sadly, it took me about 18+ years to acknowledge her wisdom. So for now, I would like to apologize to her, via the world wide web for my teen years where I am sure I nearly caused her to check into a psych ward. Because if you have ever seen Dan in Real Life and was pained by the teenage daughter and her "YOU ARE A MURDERER OF LOVE" attitude, you would then sympathize with my mom and the pain and torture I put her through. Because, I was JUST LIKE that character from the movie. Miraculously, my mom didn't smother me in my sleep one night.

So, pretty much my mom is a miracle worker. She turned her once ungrateful, bratty child into a self-sufficient, grateful woman. Love you Mom! You're fabulous. Happy Birthday!

It's the music that drove us apart...

The other day I downloaded a bunch of songs off iTunes. I have to admit, I logged on to iTunes to purchase one song in particular. Now, before I tell you what song this was, I have to admit that I like some really crappy music. I do not pretend to be a music snob - but I get kind of bugged if someone disses my taste in music.

A little over a month ago I was dating this guy that was super into music. However, he was not super into my most shameful, yet favorite type of music - which just happens to be hip hop. And no, that is not the reason why we broke up - I'm not that shallow - I am just relationship impaired.

Anyway, if I was ever driving when we were together, I would insist that we listen to hip hop. I am pretty sure he hated me for it. But, there really is nothing that I like more than driving in my car listening to ridiculously inappropriate hip hop music.

And so it is, that the song I downloaded the other day was Usher's, Love in This Club. I will admit when I first heard it on the radio I was all, "that song is nasty." And then I learned it was from Usher and I was all, " I LOVE IT!"

And so I leave you with a picture. A picture of me in Lake Powell listening to none of than my new favorite, Love in This Club.

My goal is to make you uncomfortable.

Tonight, I had the following conversation with my friend Justin.

Me: How was FHE?
Justin: It was good. Where were you?
Me: I had a bridal shower for my sister. So, what were the odds tonight? 20 girls to every 1 guy?
Justin: No, it was more like 2 to 1
Me: Oh, not that bad. But you know what, I almost would rather be at FHE than a bridal shower.
Justin: Why?
Me: I just dread all the, "you are so cute, why aren't you married" questions. I never really know what to say to that question.
Justin: Just tell them your gay
Me: uh........
Justin: Yeah, that will shut them up. You should try it.
Me: eh?
Justin: Try the excuse. Don't try being gay.
Me: Ha! That's awesome.

My friend Justin...he is so wise.

Please also note that any family member or person that has ever said, "you are so cute, why aren't you married" - I say, I still love you. I mean, at least you think I am cute.

Any normal person would be embarrassed. Me, I'm just proud.

A few posts back I opened up about my slight* addiction to books many like to call, chick lit. My latest read, Chasing Harry Winston by Laruen Weisberger turned out to be a mediocre, slow story about 3 single gals who's make a pact to change their lives within the year. Yes, the book was entertaining, but over the years I have read my share of wildly entertaining chick lit books - but I have to say; Sorry Ms. Weisberger, this wasn't one of them.

However, one particular paragraph in the book made me very happy and actually made me want to cut it out and put in on my fridge:

"While there was no shortage of successful, handsome, weathly men, not that many were straight or single. Of those left, how many would choose to marry a thirtysomething woman over a fresh-faced girl of 22, one who looked up at them with big, adoring eyes and an expression that said, "i revere you and think every syllable you utter is the word of god"? Adriana knew she could fake it for a bit in the beginning, but her days of worshiping men were long gone - if they were worthy of her attention, they could worship her."

Amen! Amen!

Ok, so clearly it is obvious why I am still single - but that is besides the point. The point is, that even though i was bored stiff through this book, it still gave me insight into my own life :)

And if you must know, I am currently looking at my book shelf which contains and unhealthy amount of chick lit books. In no particular order they are:

Can You Keep Secret
Emily's Reason's Why Not
The Nanny Diaries
Confessions of a Shopaholic
The Wedding Date
The Pact
Bergdorf Blondes
A Total Waste of Makeup
Cocktails for Three
Romantically Challenged
The Devil Wears Prada
Everyone Worth Knowing
The Notebook
The Wedding
The Choice
The Gatecrasher
Match Me If You Can
Bridget Jones Diary
English as a Second Language

and of course

Twlight
New Moon
Eclipse

Hi. I'm Natalie and I'm a chick lit-aholic.

Luckily, I can afford 99 cents

The other day I was driving to my parents house for Alex's birthday dinner. He was turning 19. It had finally just hit me that soon he would be leaving us to serve his mission and I would lose my little buddy for 2 years. I was on the verge of tears. I seem to be on verge of tears most these days. It's either Alex leaving, Hailey getting married or just life's little speed bumps.

And just went I thought all was lost in the world, I saw this billboard:

99 cent X-Large drink at McDonalds

So, I might not have taken this picture right when I saw it. I might have seen it this morning on my way to work, taken a detour on my lunch break, got on the freeway and took the picture - for the sole purpose of this post. I was going to drive to Holladay to take a picture of the first billboard I saw, but when I saw this billboard this morning I instantly thought, "If anyone asks me if I have lunch plans, my answer is yes."

So, moral of the story: Not all is lost. Alex gets to go be awesome, Hailey gets to be married and give me an awesome brother-in-law (and two INCREDIBLE cute kids to be my instant niece and nephew) and I get to be single, date super hot guys*, go on lots of fun trips, stay up way to late, laugh with my girlfriends and drink unhealthy amounts of Coca Cola.


Cheers!


*If you know any super hot, eligible, trustworthy, nice, caring, priesthood holding, non-dramatic men - send them my way.