The Bare Beat

week 28 - a picture of your night

2011-10-14T12:33:00.000-06:00

Better late than never - no?


"Really? We got all this crap for free?"

I think this picture pretty much sums what my first two weeks were like after Ben left for Colorado. Yup, pretty dismal. It was my 2 week ode to the Friends episode where Joey and Chandler get burglarized because Joey ever so smartly locks himself in his 'fine italian crafted' entertainment center.

But don't be feeling sorry for me, I worked. A lot. On second thought. Yes, feel sorry for me:)

an ending of a new beginning...

2011-08-25T18:30:00.004-06:00

Honestly, the purpose of this blog is to remind me to document our life. If I can't keep a journal maybe this will suffice:) And the reason why I began the 30 day challenge was to get me back in the habit of blogging away time. This past few weeks I think I could have written some funny (possibly regretted) blogs so now that there is more certainty in my life, I feel as though I can write with a more omnipotent hand.

It all started back in July - Ben had casually mentioned how he wasn't looking forward to the rest of his college experience studying engineering. Let's face it - it's a tough program and the economy wasn't boosting his confidence by throwing internships his way.We didn't really resolve the issue because he didn't really know what else he would want to do with the rest of his life. So a few days later I saw this blurb on MSN that showed the top ten jobs that paid bookoo (sp?) bucks that required minimal (in reference) training. One was an air traffic controller. I had never thought about this before but the minute I read the title - I knew Ben would be great at it. He handles stress like no one I've ever met and he's quick as a cat, mentally and physically - good for directing those planes ya know:) . So I sent him a text asking him about it.

Now he's in Colorado and I'm stuck in Logan until January. BUT here is when the fun begins - Ben and I will each be responding to the 30 day challenge answers on our own. Ever seen that episode of 'King of Queens' where Carrie talks about 'tentpoles'? Even though Ben is not estatic about building 'tentpoles' he has decided to indulge me in this request. Woohoo!

week 28 ... kinda...

2011-08-24T21:33:00.005-06:00

Day 03 - a picture of the cast from your favorite show (wicked)

I feel like I just need to repost my former post about Wicked in Chicago. But of course I won’t. …For some reason I feel compelled to explain why Les Mis did not make this week’s challenge. This is one of the perks of breaking this up into weeks rather than days – I get plenty of time to think about my responses. Lucky YOU!

Wicked Witch of the West and Mad Hatter - A delightful couple!

As incredible as the show was, it had no real chance to compare with what I had already envisioned in my head. I had been listening to the soundtrack my entire, ENTIRE life (it wasn’t just a phase), could sing along with every song and had read the book – unabridged – twice. Basically, I knew the story, there were no surprises. I’m not saying Les Miserables wasn’t INCREDIBLE because it was! I bawled like a baby throughout the whole thing. I fell in love with Eponine’s story all over again, was entranced by Valjean’s voice once more and was pleased that the Thenardiers’ still provided some comedic relief. Otherwise I would have been a COMPLETE basket case, not just a partial one. I feel horrible saying this but I’ve thought about it and it’s completely true, I enjoyed myself ever-so-slightly more during my first show with Wicked than I did with Les Miserables. But that does NOT mean that Les Mis is any less of an incredible experience.

With Wicked, it was the same story minus the reading part. I had, again, memorized the entire soundtrack years before I actually saw it but I hadn’t read the book so I only pieced together portions of the story from the music and mingled in my own imagination as well. And to my shock, their story line was better. Hmm, maybe that why I’m not a writer. Anyway, I highly recommend BOTH of these shows to anyone and everyone.

week 29 - a change of heart

2011-06-26T19:29:00.001-06:00

Week 2 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest

I don't like this label. It has me compartmentalizing all my relationships into times and "levels of closeness". But closeness is too complex a word. Physically - it's my co-workers, I'm always at work. Emotionally? Mentally? Who knows!

So I'm taking the easy route, Martha has been my sister for 23 years (plus or minus an eternity), and we have been across every level of closeness over that time. I remember trying to throw a chair at her in our youth because I was just that furious! Of course I don't remember what she was doing at the time but I remember it was in the boys room. I can still smell the stink of what we all blamed on the iguanas but was more than likely the stench of just that, boys. Yick!

On the other end of the spectrum, I remember jogging to her house at 3 in the morning because I could rely on that closeness during a particularly rough patch in my life (and freaking out her neighbor since I had no way to get inside so I was 'prowling' around her house... but that's a story for another time). She's going to make a great Therapist. She knows when to be serious, she knows when you need to laugh, and she'll make it happen. She's understanding, patient and gives great advice. She has this tough girl facade that runs deep - yes, I know that's a contradiction. But it's true, she's tough as nails on the outside and has a genuine strength on the inside. Hmmm... Maybe this topic isn't so bad....

The picture part of this was pretty tough. I have a lot of pictures of us together and it's hard to just pick one. It actually made me want to dig through my kid pictures to find one of just us together - to prove that we liked each other when we little too - but I kept being drawn back to this one. And it's the grossest one I have! It was while we were working at IFA together. Some lovely person clogged up the toilet and there was nastiness all over the floor, leaking out into the hall. I was a pee-on (pun not intended) so it was expected that the clean-up should have fallen on me but Martha was a more valued and upper ranked employee. She didn't have to help. But she did.

I think you see where I'm going with this, She didn't have to help clean up raw sewage but she did to help her sister. Blah blah, more emotional drivel. But seriously, She jumped in (not literally, that'd be gross) without hesitation and helped. Now I don't think she thought of it this way at all - her helping her little sister - I know she thought it'd be fun to get all hazmated up, we had a blast! But I think that's what I love about her the most, she can make the most out of any situation. Even when there's poo on the floor:)

the countdown - week 30

2011-06-15T18:22:00.092-06:00

Updated Note: This blog is titled “the Bare Beat” yet as I’ve been perusing the past posts I’ve noticed something, it’s mostly about me. Sure, Ben pops in here and there but in all honesty, until we start having kids I think this blog will be hovering around that somewhat conceited note. Sorry! But I will make an effort to include Ben in on this 30 week challenge. Maybe we’ll have a column “She” and a column “He”…..

I haven’t been great about blogging but I recently saw this on a friend’s blog and wanted to try it. But not in 30 days – I'm not that dedicated, I’m shooting more for 30 weeks. That way, blogging should become a habit and I can include recent goings-on in our life. At least that’s the plan. Let’s see how it turns out.

Week 01 - A picture of yourself with ten little known facts

Opening night! Ah-MAZ-ing! -the show, not the lady's rear.

1. I worked at a pony ride and it is still, to this day, the BEST job I have ever had.

2. Contrary to what I’d always thought, I don’t like my sandwiches cut in any way. I fought with myself for a long time on this one. I felt like I needed to have a way to cut them; diagonal, horizontal, squares, triangles? I found myself hiding this from Ben. He would always cut my sandwich for me in what he thought was a cute show of affection (little did he know, it was tearing me apart inside). Instead of coming clean, I began taking a really long time to put my sandwich together so he would already be eating his and not notice that mine was uncut. But as of a few days ago I finally accepted myself and came clean, the center of the sandwich is the best part. don’t disrupt it.

3. I played soccer while growing up. I was primarily the goalie and I won’t lie, I felt like I was pretty darn good at it. In fact, our rival team gave me a nickname, “the wall”. Yes, I was flattered but because of my oversensitivity and the fact that I was (and still am) a porky kid:), I was always a little paranoid about it.

4. I pretend to love and want a motorcycle. In reality, I’m terrified I would fall off of it and die. Considering my background with bicycles, I think those feelings are valid.

5. I have never broken a bone; which is pretty cool considering I hate milk (no calcium) and I’m clumsy.

6. I have an issue with #5. Once when I used this fact in a game of “Never have I ever”, I was told I must lead a boring life. I’ve rolled down mountains, been bucked off horses (and ponies), dove into pools of kicking feet (with cleats on), and lived a life with no shoes traipsing around the neighborhood as a child just as the other kids did. No I don’t lead a boring life. I lead a successful life. When I did stupid things as a kid, I didn’t get caught because I broke something – I got away with it. Is that the definition of success??? Hmmm. Thought provoking comment I just made there:)

7. As a kid I wore leg braces. I was pigeon-toed and had to wear these leg straightening metal brackets every night. Martha was the lucky one who shared a bed with me. I’m told she still has scars from my “jimmy legs”.

8. My picture and one of my programs was in the most recent edition of the USU magazine. It was exciting:D

9. I am taking classes again, Management and Accounting. I want to work for Target as an HR rep. Hopefully my boss never reads this… Although I’m sure she’s gotten my obvious hints that I don’t particularly enjoy the behind the scenes aspect of fundraising.

10. I love traveling! Not by car, but by every other mode of transportation. My ultimate vacation destination would be to go on an African Safari. Where I could hold and play with all sorts of baby animals; elephants, tigers, lions, kangaroos, sea lions, panda bears, zebras, EVERY kind of baby animal!

There you have it. My goal was that, no matter who read this – even Ben, that they would learn something new about me. Did I succeed?

introducing....Charlie!

2010-07-22T16:02:00.010-06:00

Whew! That 9 months flew by fast! (pun INtended) I know it's been a while since I wrote last but I thought, what better occasion than this to begin blogging again. After all, Ben and I did just add a new little addition into our family!

stop. I said 9 months because that's how long it has been since I blogged last. No, Charlie is not our child. He's our little baby birdie:)

He is 10 weeks and 1 day old today. He loves to snuggle and bury himself in between my hair and neck. Lately he's been bonding with Ben a bit more but he still prefers my neck and hair to Ben's anyday:)

Don't you worry! This blog is not going to turn into an ode to my pet, I promise! This entry serves 2 purposes; first to introduce you all to the newest member of the Bare family. Second and probly more crucial, it gave me something to write about after not writing for eons.

I know this picture is awful of me, but of Charlie...it's adorable!

people do this for fun?!

2009-09-03T12:23:00.009-06:00

First off, keep in mind that I have never been a big fan of heights. My family can attest that the extent of my favorite Lagoon rides was the Scrambler, Puff the Magic Dragon and the highest I ever went was the SkyRide-even that one terrified me!

I can thank cousins Ashley and Brittany for helping, well forcing me to throw aside my fears and ride Screamin at California Adventures at the ripe old age of 12. They were both at least 4 years younger than me and I couldn't let them know I hadn't even ever gone on the old White Rollercoaster at Lagoon.

And now, at six flags I had the time of my life! On Tatsu (above) you fly like superman, relying solely on the safety restraints. While Ben was looking into the eyes of death with complete and utter happiness, I was terrified and fighting it to the bitter end. Hopefully this isn't an indication of how things will be when we really are dying... Well yes for Ben, but for me? Shutter.

The next near death experience was X2. This is my favorite picture of Ben ever! If I looked scared on Tatsu, he looked mortified on this one:) Neither one of us screamed for very long, the ride took our breath away and it was dificult to get any air past the stomach that was lurching in our throats. Oh and pardon my immodesty in this photo. I was rapidly approaching death and keeping my shorts down was the last thing on my mind. It was more on how on earth my sweaty palms were going to continue holding onto the handgrabs.

My favorite thing about Six Flags was that I learned that Ben is actually scared of heights too! He didn't put on this macho-guy show (but wasn't a sissy-boy either) which I really appreciated, it made me feel much less like a coward. Good thing Kirt, Ben's dad, told him to scream on scary rides or else I think he would've exploded:D

i've taken my "chill-pill"

2009-09-01T10:52:00.007-06:00

a new school year, basically a new life.

Okay, maybe that's a bit dramatic. But really, I have had to change a lot this year and it's only the second week. I've always lived close enough to campus that I could leave 5 minutes before class and I could make it on time. now I have to adapt to a bus schedule. Yuk! Buses don't wait even just one more minute. Buses don't let you out right where you need/want to be. It's all on their time table. And I don't like having zero control over my schedule.

I've always been slightly anal about this kind of thing but now trying to adapt I'm noticing that it's slowing down my life. Last year and even this summer has been a constant rush. But now when I'm waiting at the bus stop or just sitting on the bus-waiting for Franni to take her coffee break when I'm losing valuable time to get to class- it's forcing me to just relax and take a "chill-pill." Surprisingly enough, I kind of like it. Sure it's frustrating but it forces me to be organized in a different kind of way. I'm definitely hoping it comes in handy one day.

there's my venting for the month.

gone fishin'

2009-05-25T18:01:00.008-06:00

Something I've learned about fishing, you've gotta have patience. Ben thinks it's good for me. I disagree.

I don't like bobbers. That means I can't reel it in immediately. I just have to sit there.

I don't like sinkers. They pick up all the icky lakeweed (we weren't at the sea thus it is not seaweeed). And then you get all excited cause you think you've gotta a fish but then nope. Just green slime.

But I LOVE casting and I LOVE the baby ducks and I LOVE the sunshine and best of all, I LOVE the stories!

Answer: No, we didn't catch anything. But as always, we came away with many a fish stories...well, more like tree stories.

We caught a total of 3 trees. Wait... no, technically 4.

The first one I will admit, was my bad. With Ben's pole. (whoopsie!) It was actually almost immediately following this picture. (And by the way, when I left the house my hair was completely straight-not frufy(pronounced: Fruuu-feee). blasted humidity.) I was getting frustrated attempting to attach a bobber to my line when Ben ever so graciously agreed to do it for me. And I, in return, agreed to reel in his bobber and cast it again.

Problem: We were surrounded by trees, big ones, hanging over us and the water. I attempted a very fashionable side cast. The line whipped up beautifully and then ever so gracefully wrapped itself around the numerous tree branches.

Ben just stared at me.

But I fixed it! I daringly jumped from rock to rock (okay, there were only two, but I did lose a flip-flop in the process-don't ask why I was wearing flip-flops) to reach as far up the line as I could and Ben pulled as hard as he could while hiding behind a tree so he wouldn't get slashed when I cut the line. But we did it! We saved his bobber.

That was number one. The next one was all Ben. About two casts later, he beautifully executed an "Elizabeth cast." This happened two more times, once on a huge piece of tree floating right next to us, before we decided we needed to move to more open spaces....

We fished for a few more hours until I decided that I was only a good fisherwoman in Washington. But at least we didn't lose any more shoes, have to tromp thru anymore ice cold water or hook anymore trees! And best of all, I didn't have to eat any fish!

(To the left: the bobber just gleeked out water on my face. SICK!)

another one for Terri's list...

2009-05-08T15:17:00.006-06:00

I've been through my share of traumatizing experiences in my life, Terri can attest to that. She's got a list of things that I cannot participate in. Snowboarding, horseback riding, river rafting, etc. I guess I just feel as though I have to go home with a more exciting story than the people I left home with. ya know? It's actually been speculated that perhaps I shouldn't even participate in the common art of walking. So what? I trip...a lot...

Anyway, Ben bought me roller blades for my birthday.

He wanted to be with me when I went for the first time just so he could make sure I picked it up okay. (That's what he said anyway, but I think he foresaw this catastrophe and simply wanted to be there to witness it.)

Don't worry, I wasn't foolish about this new experience. I've learned from my previous mishaps. I knew I shouldn't try to conquer the majestic hills of Logan without being comfortable with bladeing on flat surfaces first. So I started small.

I was headed to work about a mile and half away. Right outside our apartment there is a gargantuan hill so obviously I didn't start out with my new blades right away. I had every intention of putting them on at the bottom of the hill.

However, at the bottom of the hill was a rather busy street. I didn't even know if I could get up from putting these treacherous things on. Obviously I was NOT going to do that while people were driving by (with my luck they'd be so intrigued watching my struggle they'd drift off the side of the road and hit me. My wouldn't that be a story! Imagine, "I was just standing...well sitting there... well actually....falling there Officer. Over and over again. Right on my face each time. When out of the blue! Wham-o! They ran right into me! Did they not see me?!").

Back to the story, so there's lots of church parking lots in Utah right? (churches too obviously, but all I needed was the wide open, very flat, asphalt.) So I simply continued on my walk (about a mile later, I was almost at work and I hadn't even put on my blades yet!) until I found the perfect parking lot. It was ultra flat. I pulled myself up a lovely peice of curb and began dressing up my feet.

To my utmost HORROR a truck pulled in, with not just one or two but three people! They came to watch my awkwardness! I was and still am positive about this fact. But you can't just casually take off your blades when they've seen you only just putting them on. You'd look not only foolish but cowardly! A look that most assuredly does not compliment me.

What did I do? I finished lacing myself up and I boldly stood up. I did it! I stood up! I was completely stable! I shot them a smug look. Ha! I knew preciscely what I was doing. I glided past them, with my arms flailing and in awkward little almost-jumps.

After a long, and very agonizing few minutes, I finally made my way past them. I started to gain speed as I passed Martha's old house and my hair began blowing behind me as I just kept both feet on the ground, letting the slight slope do all the work. I was coming to a turn. Can you feel my terror? I still can feel my stomach in my throat when I think of it. I had no idea how to slow down much less, turn! I was about to die. My life as I knew it, was relying on an itsy-bitsy peice of plastic attached to the back of ONE of the blades.

I tentatively touched that tiny peice of plastic to the ground. Felt it grinding against the cement, noticed that I wasn't stopping and leapt out of death's grasps! Right onto grass. Oh sweet grass! Freshly cut grass! Very freshly cut.... the nice gentleman simply stared at me from behind his lawn-mower. I smiled, regained my composure and casually got back to my professional roller bladeing.

I knew I had to find somewhere casual to stop and take off these death-bringers. I did. Finally.
Only after another memorable encounter and countless jumps to the grass and the following awkward little baby jumps I found myself a lovely peice of ground to stop this terror. It had been one block. One blasted block.

Moral of the story: Don't leave your life in the hands of an itty-bitty hunk of hollow plastic.

uh...april fools...?

2009-04-09T11:22:00.004-06:00

I've never been one to get into the whole April Fools day thing. I mean, why pull a prank on someone on the one day they are expecting it right? Well, I decided at the beginning of March to pull the prank of all pranks on Ben. Whether or not it was "fair" is up to you to decide...

I started noticing smells...very strong smells. I began feeling sick at random points of the day. My whole body was achy. Or so I told Ben;) Oh! And I had my good (pregnant) friend, Camille, take two pregnancy tests for me...

Now I was shocked that Ben didn't ever mention April Fools that whole day, but it was a pretty stressful day for me (I had to lecture in my fellowship course) so even if he knew he wasn't planning on pulling any pranks on me. This definitely worked to my advantage.

As Ben walked in the door from one job, with only enough time to change and head off to his other job, the conversation went something like this...

Ben: Why didn't you answer my phone call?
Me: (slowly turning around) Ben...I'm
pregnant.

At this point a slight smile came to my mouth. But I just brushed it off and buried my head in his shoulder. As he patted my head (yes, patted) and my back I began crying....YES! crying on demand! I can do it! Genuinely! Hollywood, here I come!

Ben: Well...how are you?
Me: I don't know...
Ben: Are you feeling okay?

Isn't he sweet! Only thinking of me as I'm so mercilessly pulling his leg....

Me: I don't know Ben, this is supposed to be a happy
thing. But I don't know if it is yet...
Ben: (Still hugging me)
Me: I just don't know... But I have to go to work and
so do you.
Ben: I'm sure they'll understand you being a bit
late.

The prank was going so well I was just going to let him go off to work believing it. But then...his eyes started watering. I began to feel the pricks of guilt...

Me: uh...april fools?
Ben: (staring at me, completely blank)
Me: (talking rapidly with much stammering) I'm sorry! I
didn't think I'd be able to pull it off so well! I thought it'd be funny! I'm so
sorry! I love you!
Ben: (just standing there)
Me: Ben? I'm sorry! Didn't I do good? I mean, I cried!
But I'm sorry! Ben?
Ben: uh...

Well, considering he hasn't served me with divorce papers and it's been about a week, I'm pretty sure he's forgiven me and gotten over it. But I don't know that I would suggest this kindof prank to anyone else...

journal entry #58

2009-02-19T20:33:00.004-07:00

October 29, 2009

So much has happened, I don't even know where to begin! I guess I'll just start from the beginning. Logical - huh:) School's going okay...I don't ever do homework...which isn't good. But I'm starting afresh with everything. Studying, exercising, everything. I work at Shopko but I won't for long. They won't give me any time off for christmas and Target promised me $1800 just for working 3 weeks. So I'll be quiting Shopko before finals, I think...

People are amazing. Can I just say that?! Everyone up here is so great! There's 3 of us that hang out all the time together. Jennifer (Fern, Jeffiner), Jenna and me. We have so much fun together! (The following sentance was scratched out rather vicously yet I've managed to read what it says) I think I'm in love. No! I'm not! I really shouldn't be writing this. His name is Ben. (End of scratched out writing) There is also a lot of fun boys up here. The one we hang out with the most is Benjamin. He's a fun kid.

I should probly give a spill on each of these people.

Jennifer- She's pretty much my best friend. She's super fun and we fight like sisters. You'll be hearing much more about her I'm sure since we spend pretty much every minute together.

Jenna is definitely the more studious of the three of us. She's the RS President so thus very organized and congenial. She's a cutie. (Whoa! Did I really just say that?) College has made me such a girly girl. She's a cool dude. There we go, that's better.

As for me, everyone up here calls me Klepto. Oh! That leads to a good story! So Ben works at Shopko too right?! Well one day he got a car from his ...wait for it...sister-in-laws brother...yeah, I think that's right. Well I hadn't driven since moving up here so I asked him if I could drive home from work. He said yes. So we drove around... and around some more because he needed gas and some snacks for his long trek 2 hours north to see his fam. At smiths he bought Sunchips. Why do I mention Sunchips you ask? Well I will tell you...later. Just remember that he got Sunchips, they play an important role later in the story...

We went home and up to the 5th [floor] and talked for a while with Jennifer, Caitlin and Heather. Then went to me room (ok-now I'm Irish, that was weird) and he borrowed some cd's to keep him awake. Well during this time, we had been eating my Doritoes and I wanted some of his Sunchips. (Da da da) So Ben gave me his keys to get some chips while he grabbed his stuff from his apartment. Me and Fern decided it would be fun to take the car for a little spin. Nothing too crazy mind you! Just maybe park it in another stall to freak Ben out. But then Caitlin and Heather called us and wanted in on the joke.

So we drove out of the parking lot and this leads to that and 4 girls in a car eating sunchips leads to chaos, speeding and not stopping at stop signs. Policeman saw it. Pulled me over. Jokes on me. Bummer.

journal entry #56

2009-02-19T20:14:00.004-07:00

*Go back in time to when I first moved up to Utah State. The following excerpt is my first day living in Logan as a college student!*

August 22, 2006

Well it's the end of the day that I've been dreading since the beginning of the summer. And believe it or not, I survived! I didn't die! My roommate is SO nice! She's extremely sweet and helpful. She kinda reminds me of Megan Sahleen and Kristin Nielson. And Martha gave me the Batman pillow from Target I've been drooling over all summer. She left this note attached to him, "Here's someone to cuddle with...OR when you get mad...PUMMEL! Have fun! I love you! -Martha" I'm a lucky girl, so many people care about me!

Terri and Dad bought me my first set of groceries too! Terri put some funny sticky tags on almost everything. My personal favorite was: (it was attached to a package of knee-hi's) "Remember, it takes more than tights and a cape to be a superman!"

I was strong the entire day! No tears escaped at all. But really, my family is so good to me. I'm going to raise a family just like mine. I've just decided that. Even Shelley Nowers called to wish me good luck. I love people!

My room is all set up and I absolutely love it! I love the desk with all the drawers and all the shelf space. But class starts tomorrow bright and early so I better get some sleep.

kryptonite

2008-12-08T11:13:00.006-07:00

1.Put your iPod/iTunes on shuffle to get the first answer.
2. For each subsequent question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag 10 friends who might enjoy doing the game as well as the person you got the note from.
IF SOMEONE ASKS YOU FOR SPARE CHANGE, WHAT DO YOU SAY?
It's a Beautiful Life - Ace of Base

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DATE?
Slow Down, You Move Too Fast - Simon & Garfunkle

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A JOB?
Wind Beneath My Wings- Bette Midler

WHAT IS YOUR LATEST DILEMMA?
Work Song (Look Down) - Les Miserables

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A MAN?
Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon & Garfunkle

WHY DON'T YOU HAVE MORE MONEY?
Stacy's Mom - Fountains of Wayne

WHAT IS YOUR SECRET NICKNAME?
Who Knew - Pink

WHERE DO YOU GO AT NIGHT?
New York, New York - Frank Sinatra (Haha! That's right y'all:D)

WHAT IS YOUR EMERGENCY PLAN?
I Am A Rock - Simon & Garfunkle

WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR FRIENDS?
For Good - Wicked (No joke! It really came up!)

WHAT DO YOU DO FIRST THING IN THE MORNING?
I Will Survive - Chantay Savage (Haha! I can see myself singing this into my hairbrush in the morning!!!)

WHAT IS YOUR RINGTONE?
Bye, Bye, Bye - N'sync Remix

WHERE DO YOU WANT TO BE IN FIVE YEARS?
Africa - Toto (Woohoo!)

WHAT IS YOUR POLITICAL AFFILIATION?
I Am - Bon Jovi

WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY?
American Idiot - Green Day (I'm honestly not rigging this)

WHAT CAN YOUR COUNTRY DO FOR YOU?
Somebody to Love - Queen

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?
It Ends Tonight - All American Rejects

WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM, PAL?
All My Only Dreams - That Thing You Do Soundtrack

WHAT IS ON YOUR CHRISTMAS WISH LIST?
My Girl - The Temptations (No, I'm not ready for a baby yet. Sorry.)

WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR A KLONDIKE BAR?
Stay Beautiful - Taylor Swift (HAHAHAHA!!!)

WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE?
Stupid Boy - Keith Urban

WHAT IS THE THEMESONG TO YOUR LOVELIFE? Everything I Own - N'sync

WHAT MAKES YOUR BLOOD BOIL? Your Song - Moulin Rouge Soundtrack

WHAT MAKES YOUR LOINS ACHE? Don't Lie - Black-Eyed Peas

WHAT'S THE SECRET OF YOUR SUCCESS?
Oh Santa! - VeggieTales

WHOM DO YOU ADMIRE MOST?
Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again - Phantom of the Opera Soundtrack

WHO IS YOUR MORTAL ENEMY?
We Might as Well be Strangers - Keane

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH YOUR LIFE?
Carrying The Banner - Newsies Soundtrack

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
Numa Numa - Pepe Deluxe

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS? Kryptonite - 3 Doors Down (Quite Fitting:)

i have been changed...

2008-12-02T12:48:00.000-07:00

I said before that I thought "ugh" to shopping while in Chicago.

I take it back repeatedly. repeatedly.

You can loathe shopping in Salt Lake but you will not, I repeat, NOT get enough of it in Chicago.

I have Cynthia to thank for opening my eyes. Of course I couldn't admit it outright, but after shopping back in Logan, I will admit my fault openly.

My favorite stores include:

Old Navy (It is VERY different than the ones here. I promise. 5 stories!!!)

H&M - I have Cynthia to thank for this one especially:)

Burberry - Just to look at of course, I don't have $900 to spend on a scarf

Crate & Barrel - Great ideas for my future house

Ghiradelli's - YUM!

Hershey's Store - Not quite so yum, and a creepy, stalker-ish employee... (you guys remember... "BUY THIS NOW! WHERE ELSE ARE YOU GOING TO FIND YOUR FACE ON A BAR OF CHOCOLATE?!" )

Navy Peir - the best part was taking pictures with my sisters (pushing Martha over the edge, freaking Heather out by pretending to fall into the Lake, aww the memories)...though the mirrors were dang fun too... how long did we spend in front of them?

Ode to Wicked

2008-12-01T13:07:00.002-07:00

I finally saw it!

After 5 excruciating long years of only dreaming about seeing this extraordinary broadway, I finally saw it!

Wicked, the musical. Fabulous! Hilarious! Superb! Breath-taking! Exquisite! Mind-boggling! Fantastic! Tear-jerking! Wonderful! All of these things and so very, very much more!
I can honestly say I was crying throughout the ENTIRE first half. By intermission I had black streaks running down my face. My program was wrinkled and moist from my sweaty, clenched palms. You may think I was/am embarrassed by this fact. But no, oh no. I am willing to be brutally honest in my ode to this incredible performance. I turned to my sisters with an enormous smile on my blackened face stuttering, "I c-can't believe I'm r-really h-h-here!" As I rapidly wiped my tears away. It was to say the least, great.

Everything Chicago

2008-12-01T12:23:00.002-07:00

Where to begin?! I LOVE Chicago!

It began this past summer. Three of my sisters and I began to toss around the idea of going to Chicago. To see Wicked, go on a haunted ghost tour and for stylish Cynthia, shopping. Ugh was my first thought at that (first thought, remember that). But ya know, when you go on a trip you compromise with your travel buddies. Well, we never actually got around to planning it...weddings have a way of getting in the way of things;) 5 months later we finally committed, we were buying tickets. We'd be leaving in three weeks. Bad news, I chickened out. Being newlyweds, Ben and I didn't have the money. sigh. I was upset. Which was ridiculous, who was I to use quite a bit of our small savings and splurge it all on my own in Chicago? Yet I couldn't just drop it. I honestly felt like I needed to go. It sounds absurd, believe me, I know. Try explaining that with a straight face to your hubby that you "feel" like you "need" to go on this amazingly enjoyable trip with your sisters. Ya. It was quite an interesting discussion. But Ben is amazing. He agreed. I bought my ticket.

Our plane left Wednesday evening. The flight left Salt Lake at 6:35PM and right before take off they unexpectedly called my name over the intercom on the plane. I cautiously stood up in front of countless staring eyes. A thought hit me, maybe Ben had sent me flowers! How sweet!! ....nope. I had given the attendent both my boarding passes. How embarrassing! Good thing I never blush. Geez.

Because of Martha's ridiculous obsession with seeing other airports we had a layover in Denver. Ya, she's a bit of a wierdo:) We landed in Chicago at about midnight. We found the subway...I've never felt so white in my whole life. We were the only white people on the train. After riding it all the way to the end before realizing it was going in the opposite direction of our hotel we hoped on the one going the correct way. We got to our hotel at about 3am. Not being tired at all from the excitement of the train and just being in Chicago, we turned on the tv and watched a scary movie til 5am. Great way to start off a 4 day vacation, I know:)

Chicago is the most haunted city in the world, according to paranormal specialists. So what better place to go on a ghost tour than there?

It was so fascinating! Beth, our guide, told us countless stories of chicago history. The "white city," the devil baby, a ship that capsized while still docked - resulting in the deaths of over 845 people (Eastland), and the terrifying Iroquois Theater fire (Iroquois). Feel free to follow these links to read a brief summary of what happened at these places. It even interested me after weeks of being in school, that's gotta say something:) If any of you go to Chicago, I strongly recommend going on this tour, it's definitely something you'll never forget.

...And for an extra perk, go with someone who gets scared easily....you know who you are;)

Welcome to Elizabeth & Ben's Blog!

2008-12-01T12:21:00.001-07:00

Yes it's true, I've finally succumbed to creating a blog. While it is both Ben's and mine it will usually only be me that is posting anything. I've got a lot to say on just about everything. And my plan is to go back and write about how Ben and I met, our gorgeous wedding, even clear back when I sold pest control in San Francisco and my life-changing freshman year. This may turn into a public journal but I'm fine with that. I've got nothing to hide:)

So I cordially welcome you to our blog, The Bare Beat. In this world of reality television this blog will be just one more episode. Enjoy!