2. Germs! – I have a minor case of germophobia, and where do you find germs? Public places…and where do you find a lot of germs? Arcades. They just simply gross me out. I feel dirty while I am there and just have this unquenchable impulse to feverishly wash my hands over and over until they are clean and sterile. Does that sound a little OCD? I promise, I am not OCD, I just cannot stand the thought of touching an arcade joystick that has probably never been cleaned and has been sneezed on and handled by unhygienic, sweaty and pimply teenage boys that haven’t showered in days, no less washed their hands. I know that arcades are somewhat a thing of the past, but I promise they still exist and people still frequent them. When Kevin and I first started dating, I think I almost ended our relationship when he suggested going to the local nickelcade (talk about a cheap date! Then, I guess, if you knew Kevin, you would think it appropriate!) and I refused to go for the pathetic reason of it grossing me out. Thankfully, I had other things going for me (great personality, cute face, great smile, big brain…I mean, what can I say!) or that would have been it!
I guess I should rephrase that I am not a real germophobe, like I said, I have a minor case…I just get really grossed out by certain things and I am really trying to overcome it. For example, I am not the only one that is grossed out by shopping cart handles! It is people like me that got the grocery stores to provide sanitizer wipes…now even Wal-Mart carries them! I can say, however, that as part of my germophobic therapy, I don’t use the sani -wipes in the grocery store…I cringe every time I clasp the handle as shivers go speeding down my spine, but I walk strongly on knowing that I am slowly, one shopping cart handle at a time, overcoming my germophobia.
This one goes hand in hand with toilet seat covers in restrooms. Growing up in California, ALL restrooms had toilet seat covers and thus I always felt clean in even the dirtiest of restrooms…but then I moved to Utah. In Utah, toilet seat covers, my safety net from the who-knows-what that is on a toilet seat, were nowhere to be found and it was the first time in my life that I had to make the decision between creating my own out of three strips of toilet paper, or (gasp) going without! For the first year of my residency there, I had the routine of placing toilet paper on the seat to protect my precious bum from the terrors lying in wake to attack me while I do my business. But then I met Kevin…and Kevin freed me from the mental germy psychosis that kept me from simply sitting down. Kevin taught me that you cannot get sick from sitting on a toilet seat (although that is not what was really keeping me from baring it…I just think that everyone else’s bare bums are yucky and only mine is clean and sanitary!), that my desk has more bacteria on it than the human waste receptacle (true fact!), and that I am a weirdo by making such a big production out of going to the restroom. Not wanting to be a weirdo, I have since (gasp) gone without in many situations, except in places known for their horrid restrooms like Wal-Mart, McDonald’s, or gas stations, where I am pretty sure they NEVER clean.
[Author’s note: in Virginia they do not have toilet seat covers readily available in public restrooms and I have to admit that I am starting to revert to my old toilet paper ways!]
Family Picture
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Phobia! Part 1
I saw recently on my friend Kendra’s blog, a “tag” posting about her fears, joys, obsessions, etc and it got me to thinking about my own fears. Fears can be an interesting thing – sometimes they are created over time through experience, sometimes you are born with them, and other times people purport to have a certain fear in order to get attention. I have seen and heard this time and again. Have you ever been to a fair, carnival, or even a circus and sat behind some annoying teenage couple and heard the gum chewing, hair twirling girl say to her pubescent boy toy that she is “like totally afraid of clowns” and just wanted to kill yourself? From experience, I can say that most people that state they are afraid of clowns are usually just teenage girls looking to get attention from the opposite sex for having a cute and quirky fear that is fun to talk about and gets the idiot boy’s sympathy for her seemingly innocuous yet endearing phobia. I will concede that some people, perhaps people that as young children accidentally wandered into a playing of the movie “It,” are truly and incurably afraid of clowns, but for the most part, I think that exclaiming you are afraid of clowns is just part of the ubiquitously flirtatious dialogue that teenagers spout. [Author’ note: I just looked up clown phobia in Wikipedia and I would like to issue an apology to all of you that are diagnosed with Coulrophobia…if it has a cool Latin name, it must be real!]
Well, enough about other people’s fears, I would like to present to the world, my own fears (some quirky and some serious) in no particular order [Author’s note: in the editing process of this post, I realized that it has gotten a little long and will be further separated into several posts, and as such, only the first of my fears will appear in this post]:
1. Expired Milk – I know that Jerry Seinfeld did a bit on expired milk (what DIDN’T he do a bit on?) in which he talked about not taking chances with expired milk…as if the date stamped on the carton could actually tell you the exact second that the milk was no longer safe for human consumption. I am a total believer in the date on the carton – you do not even THINK about drinking milk past that date! It is as if God himself gave all of us a warning against yucky chunky milk and we need to obey the date! My husband, on the other hand, uses the sniffing method for determining milk expiration…a week past the expiration date, if it still smells okay, he’ll actually drink it! I mean, I have tried this method and I swear that milk always smells funky! He tells me that my mind does this to me and the yucky smell is in my head (and from the smell of the rim of the carton, where you put the lid on), but maybe, just maybe, I have milk expiration psychic powers and the smell is a sign that you just don’t drink it! I mean, really, why chance it? I have a really finicky stomach anyway and I just don’t chance things like expired milk. If Kevin’s stomach weren’t built to withstand a nuclear holocaust (seriously, the man can eat raw chicken and not get sick!) maybe he wouldn’t be so gung-ho about drinking the milk either! 
Well, enough about other people’s fears, I would like to present to the world, my own fears (some quirky and some serious) in no particular order [Author’s note: in the editing process of this post, I realized that it has gotten a little long and will be further separated into several posts, and as such, only the first of my fears will appear in this post]:
1. Expired Milk – I know that Jerry Seinfeld did a bit on expired milk (what DIDN’T he do a bit on?) in which he talked about not taking chances with expired milk…as if the date stamped on the carton could actually tell you the exact second that the milk was no longer safe for human consumption. I am a total believer in the date on the carton – you do not even THINK about drinking milk past that date! It is as if God himself gave all of us a warning against yucky chunky milk and we need to obey the date! My husband, on the other hand, uses the sniffing method for determining milk expiration…a week past the expiration date, if it still smells okay, he’ll actually drink it! I mean, I have tried this method and I swear that milk always smells funky! He tells me that my mind does this to me and the yucky smell is in my head (and from the smell of the rim of the carton, where you put the lid on), but maybe, just maybe, I have milk expiration psychic powers and the smell is a sign that you just don’t drink it! I mean, really, why chance it? I have a really finicky stomach anyway and I just don’t chance things like expired milk. If Kevin’s stomach weren’t built to withstand a nuclear holocaust (seriously, the man can eat raw chicken and not get sick!) maybe he wouldn’t be so gung-ho about drinking the milk either!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Hello all! This is Kevin’s maiden voyage of posting. After some gentle spousal prodding I have decided to join blogapalooza and let the world know what I am doing and what I think. Of course, I have been heavily engaged in the latter all my life, but with the pragmatic limitations associated with the height of my current soap box and an inability to have my voice carry to all those who might be benefited, I am grateful to enlist this medium and exploit the malleable minds of those willing to read on. Just kidding. I’m really not arrogant and this really isn’t going to get preachy, I just needed a catchy introduction.
Although admittedly late, recently Leslie and I have discovered a delightful world where one can find beauty all around you, where dreams do not die, but live on in one’s heart, where a burned out law student can find solace and simplicity in a world of uncertainty. No, I’m not talking about a Barack Obama rally; rather, I speak of Guitar Hero.
Guitar Hero provides one the opportunity to live out frustrated 80’s related fantasies, to stand in one’s living room and revel in the glory of stardom and to have a mechanical voice tell you once and for all that “You Rock!” Guitar Hero is like a prepackaged drugs, sex and rock ‘n roll kit (just add drugs and sex).
Leslie and I recently discovered this proverbial golden goose after a visit to Leslie’s home for Christmas. Her older brother Mark had already recognized the benefit that a substantial and dedicated commitment to Guitar Hero could yield. We spent Christmas time learning at the feet of the master and shortly after returning home we acquired this game for ourselves. Since that time we have spent many an evening with the windows firmly shut and the blinds tightly drawn as we hone our nerdy and somewhat shameful craft.
Not to toot my own horn (toot, toot), but I have seen a return on my investment. I’m getting better every day. Of course, my new skill presents a conundrum I hadn’t expected to encounter—do I drop out of law school, dedicate myself to this full time and pursue it as a career, or do I let the man keep me down? For the moment, at least, I have decided to let the man keep me down (the man has actually been pretty good to me lately). In the meantime we wish you all success in whatever you may be doing. However, bear in mind that whatever success you enjoy in life, rarely will someone tell you earnestly and unequivocally, that “You Rock!”
Although admittedly late, recently Leslie and I have discovered a delightful world where one can find beauty all around you, where dreams do not die, but live on in one’s heart, where a burned out law student can find solace and simplicity in a world of uncertainty. No, I’m not talking about a Barack Obama rally; rather, I speak of Guitar Hero.
Guitar Hero provides one the opportunity to live out frustrated 80’s related fantasies, to stand in one’s living room and revel in the glory of stardom and to have a mechanical voice tell you once and for all that “You Rock!” Guitar Hero is like a prepackaged drugs, sex and rock ‘n roll kit (just add drugs and sex).
Leslie and I recently discovered this proverbial golden goose after a visit to Leslie’s home for Christmas. Her older brother Mark had already recognized the benefit that a substantial and dedicated commitment to Guitar Hero could yield. We spent Christmas time learning at the feet of the master and shortly after returning home we acquired this game for ourselves. Since that time we have spent many an evening with the windows firmly shut and the blinds tightly drawn as we hone our nerdy and somewhat shameful craft.
Not to toot my own horn (toot, toot), but I have seen a return on my investment. I’m getting better every day. Of course, my new skill presents a conundrum I hadn’t expected to encounter—do I drop out of law school, dedicate myself to this full time and pursue it as a career, or do I let the man keep me down? For the moment, at least, I have decided to let the man keep me down (the man has actually been pretty good to me lately). In the meantime we wish you all success in whatever you may be doing. However, bear in mind that whatever success you enjoy in life, rarely will someone tell you earnestly and unequivocally, that “You Rock!”
Intellectual Pursuits
Kevin and I graduated from BYU in April 2006...3 months later Kevin started law school and I started working. I work in an office where the most intellectual conversation I have ever had consisted of discussing the previous night's Office episode and comparing it to our own office existence (ps I love The Office)...probably the second most intelligent conversation was discussing the proper way to make tea (my boss is a big tea drinker!)...you get the picture! My job is simply not intellectually stimulating - and how can it be? I am an executive assistant...all I need to know is how to unjam the copier and teach my boss how to attach a document to an email!
In college, I always felt intellectually stimulated...I learned new things everyday, worked hard, read constantly and it made me feel good about myself. I was not wasting the brain that God gave me...until I graduated and all learning stopped. I blame myself - I let it happen, but I have vowed to get back on the right track and to continue what should be everyone's goal - to be a lifelong learner. I want to keep sharp, expand my vocabulary, and to always be finishing a book.
To jump start my return to academia and to my humanities/history major roots, I have decided to read/reread the complete works of Jane Austen. Kevin was kind enough to buy me a compilation of her 6 novels for Easter (thanks babe!) and while I have read Pride and Prejudice and Emma before, I am reading and studying all of her works in order as she wrote them, starting with Sense and Sensibility.
I am almost through reading about the Miss Dashwoods in Sense and Sensibility, and I plan on updating everyone on my conquest of all 6 novels. I have never been a fast reader, so please don't hold your breath for me to finish!
Wish me luck!
In college, I always felt intellectually stimulated...I learned new things everyday, worked hard, read constantly and it made me feel good about myself. I was not wasting the brain that God gave me...until I graduated and all learning stopped. I blame myself - I let it happen, but I have vowed to get back on the right track and to continue what should be everyone's goal - to be a lifelong learner. I want to keep sharp, expand my vocabulary, and to always be finishing a book.
To jump start my return to academia and to my humanities/history major roots, I have decided to read/reread the complete works of Jane Austen. Kevin was kind enough to buy me a compilation of her 6 novels for Easter (thanks babe!) and while I have read Pride and Prejudice and Emma before, I am reading and studying all of her works in order as she wrote them, starting with Sense and Sensibility.
I am almost through reading about the Miss Dashwoods in Sense and Sensibility, and I plan on updating everyone on my conquest of all 6 novels. I have never been a fast reader, so please don't hold your breath for me to finish!
Wish me luck!
Sunday, April 13, 2008
A Little Local Siteseeing
Hello my blogger buddies! Just checking in here for my sunday post. This has been a very busy week it seems! Between end of the school year parties, softball practice, a baby shower, hanging out with friends, the beach, batting cages, and Busch Gardens, we've been on the go this week! And of course, I don 't have pictures of any of it! I even purposely brought my camera to Busch Gardens to take pictures to post (just for you, Mike!) but then left the camera in the car...classic! I should have my camera with me wherever I go but I always either leave it behind or forget to take pictures if I do bring it. If it were still January I could say that this years New Years resolution is to take more pictures...but it is already April - can you believe it? Time flies so fast sometimes! I guess Kevin and I are just having too much fun! We really are, in all actuality. We love our little apartment in Williamsburg, the beautiful surroundings, the friends we have made, and this time in our lives. We are having a blast and are so happy that we chose to move away from our families (even though we love and miss them dearly!) to establish ourselves as a couple so that we can be strong together and learn to rely on each other.
Okay, so as this post title suggests, we have been doing some siteseeing as of late - mostly because we have had visitors and isn't it the truth that you never take the time to see the local sites unless you have family or friends in town? Well, a few weeks ago Kevin's parents were in town and we took a day and went down to Norfolk and had a ton of fun visiting the Nauticus Museum (a hands on marine science museum...very fun even for adults!), touring the USS Wisconsin, taking an afternoon naval base cruise, and finishing the day off with some seafood for dinner! I would highly receommend any of the activities for adults and children...except the seafood part - eating crab is WAY too much work for adults, let alone children!!
My little sailor boy!
They have some really big guns on board!
Okay, so as this post title suggests, we have been doing some siteseeing as of late - mostly because we have had visitors and isn't it the truth that you never take the time to see the local sites unless you have family or friends in town? Well, a few weeks ago Kevin's parents were in town and we took a day and went down to Norfolk and had a ton of fun visiting the Nauticus Museum (a hands on marine science museum...very fun even for adults!), touring the USS Wisconsin, taking an afternoon naval base cruise, and finishing the day off with some seafood for dinner! I would highly receommend any of the activities for adults and children...except the seafood part - eating crab is WAY too much work for adults, let alone children!!
The USS Wisconsin is connected to the Nauticus Museum (a two-for!) so as we were walking into the museum, we had to take a few pictures beside the bohemoth!
My little sailor boy!
They have some really big guns on board!
Kevin and I got into a replica of the tight bunks that the sailors slept in...it was a challenge for me to get in (looks roomier than it is!) and you should have seen Kevin crawling in! They did NOT have a lot of room!
Me sitting on the boat of the naval cruise...the wind was really blowing that day and my hood was not helping out much!
A cool aircraft carrier...by the way, did you know that they house a crew of 6,000 at sea? I mean, talk about a city on the water!
After the naval cruise we walked down to a nearby shopping center and ate at Joe's Crabshack...and what did Kevin order? A whole BUCKET of crab (thanks Artis and Lionel for financing his addiction to seafood)! So, at Joes's when you order crab, the waitors come over and tie a bib on you before you get your order so we had to take a picture of Kevin in his bib!
Well, that's enough for today...check back soon (and by soon, I mean a few days at least!) for another post!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
St. Patrick's Day...a little late!
Happy St Patrick's Day everyone! Yes, I realize that the day of green was almost a month ago, but I have just not had the chance to post the pictures from this year's St. Patrick's Day party. We had so much fun this year! I made my signature corned beef, cabbage, carrots, and potatoes and our guets brought everything else (thank you!). Kevin's parents were there for the event and were so helpful in cooking, cleaning, and crowd control...it was a lot of fun to have friends and family together in our one bedroom apartment! I just love St. Patrick's day because you get to eat yummy food, dress in green, and be with friends - what's not to love?
Unfortunately, I was having so much fun hosting the party that I kept forgetting to take pictures, so we only have a few! Here they are:
Say hi to Kendra, Brett, Eric, and Danny!
Allow me to introduce my father-in-law, Lionel, and Kevin's buddy Dave. 
Our new friends, Nora and Adam.
Halle and her daddy, Jason.
Halle and her mommy, Vanessa.
Unfortunately, I was having so much fun hosting the party that I kept forgetting to take pictures, so we only have a few! Here they are:
Say hi to Kendra, Brett, Eric, and Danny!
Allow me to introduce my father-in-law, Lionel, and Kevin's buddy Dave.
Elizabeth, Brandon and Vanessa :)
Our new friends, Nora and Adam.
Halle and her daddy, Jason.
Halle and her mommy, Vanessa.Make sure you all clear your calendars for next year's party - March 17th, 2009!
Friday, April 4, 2008
Happy Friday!
Happy Friday everyone! I am so glad this week is over and I don't even know why! Nothing bad happened (except for Kevin leaving me for a moot court competition in NY...I am so jealous!) and the days were all busy and went by quickly...I don't even know why! Sometimes I just crave sleeping in on a saturday, waking up naturally and then lying in bed reading a magazine or a good book (by the way, for Easter Kevin bought me the complete works of Jane Austen and I am currently reading Sense and Sensibility...love it!)...and work and life just gets in the way, darn it! Even now I am thinking about the bed that I left just hours ago (no dirty thoughts!) and thinking about sleeping in tomorrow morning and reading until I feel like getting dressed!
Tangent alert!! - Ever since I started my blog I have wondered how many people actually visit the site, so I took a hint from Elizabeth's blog and installed SiteMeter (for free...I LOVE free things!) and checking it today and saw that people actually visit my site! CRAZY!! I love you all and appreciate you checking up on Kevin and I and caring about us - seriously, if you know about my blog it means that we are close and I love you all! I guess I need to apologize to all of you for not updating anything for a while there - Kevin's family was in town for 2 weeks and we were having too much fun to blog! I promise, Karen, that I will blog more faithfully for no other reason than for you to have somthing interesting to read while you are at work!
Again, thanks for visiting and have a wonderful weekend!
Tangent alert!! - Ever since I started my blog I have wondered how many people actually visit the site, so I took a hint from Elizabeth's blog and installed SiteMeter (for free...I LOVE free things!) and checking it today and saw that people actually visit my site! CRAZY!! I love you all and appreciate you checking up on Kevin and I and caring about us - seriously, if you know about my blog it means that we are close and I love you all! I guess I need to apologize to all of you for not updating anything for a while there - Kevin's family was in town for 2 weeks and we were having too much fun to blog! I promise, Karen, that I will blog more faithfully for no other reason than for you to have somthing interesting to read while you are at work!
Again, thanks for visiting and have a wonderful weekend!
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