California and New Harmony Trip

I spent two much-needed weeks in California to ring in my big 21st. It was paradise. I stayed with Rikki for the first week, watching her house while she was at work. I spent the days tanning at the pool, running circles around Ladera Ranch, walking Rikki's adorable puppy, Leia, snuggling with her cat, KiKi (and consequently breaking out in hives and having sneezing fits), and parading around in these, my first birthday present:

I've always hated shopping and I suppose that makes me a bit unfeminine, but these shoes compensate for it. I hope I marry someone tall so I can wear adorable heels like these all the time.

It's because of this hot lady here

that I didn't have a single boring moment during my vacation in California.

We played cribbage, danced Kinect, ate Sushi, 

pigged out on Mexican food, "got crabs" at Joe's Crab Shack (I love Brian's face in this picture),

golfed,

watched Brian play softball,

bathed Leia,

and took a road trip down to Imperial beach for the day.

 

 I went kayaking with my Dad in Oceanside and got sunburned, but it was SO fun! We pedaled out to the buoy and I fell in love with the seals.

My best friend Becca was getting married that first weekend, which was the reason I planned my trip to Cali. It was exciting to be a maid of honor for the first time. It was a beautiful wedding at the Redlands temple, followed by a reception in her family's backyard in Wrightwood. I can't believe she's married!  Becca and Andrew are such a beautiful couple.

 

 The following week I stayed closer to the beach with Randi and my cousins. We ran and biked to the ocean, basked in the sun, got pedicures, and went to an Angel's game. 

Unfortunately, my frolicking in California couldn't last forever; luckily, we had some pretty fun stuff lined up. Like a family reunion in New Harmony!! I may be the shortest sister in the family, but I still wasn't short enough for the cramped spot I had in the back seat of the TEENY TINY rental car we drove to Utah. The road trip was made more bearable by listening to Harry Potter on CD in anticipation for the upcoming movie. (We are all Harry Potter geeks, through and through.)

Aunt Deb and Uncle Gary own a gorgeous ranch in Southern Utah, and they spent a lot of time teaching us to ride horses! I won't put up pictures, because I discovered later that my posture was DISGUSTING, and that's just embarrassing. My horse, Chexy, totally took advantage of my sweetness and it was an adventure to say the least trying to steer her around. I guess I have to learn to be more demanding and in-control.

Stay tuned for the rest of my summer adventures....and an exciting announcement!

16 pictures, 20 years

I accidentally deleted my previous post about my Stomach Saga, so if you missed out on the toilet humor, I'm sorry. Anyway, I felt a void since I only have one post this year. The 30-day picture challenge: one of the most innovative journal ideas.  Pictures capture so much more of a person's essence. BUT I don't believe in posting every single day for 30 days. Nor do I want to use all 30. So since 16 is my favorite number, here are 16 pictures of my 20 years of life.

#1: A Picture of Yourself with 15 Facts. 

1. I can say "Shut up and Kiss me" in 21 languages....And counting. Anyone want to teach me Danish, Hindi, or Thai? 

2. I have an acute sense of smell. I'm talking abnormally strong. 

3. By age 4, I was reading chapter books and reciting the 50 United States in alphabetical order.

4. I was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at age 8...with the chicken pox.

5. I eat popcorn with chopsticks so I don't get butter all over my fingers.

6. I weed out potential suitors based on whether or not they can spell "definitely" correctly.  

7. I have a pink guitar named after Taylor Swift.  

8.  My name comes partly from my Welsh great-great grandfather, whose name was Ricy Davis Jones.

9. Professions I seriously considered pursuing throughout my life: best-selling author, professional DJ, veterinarian, astronaut, schoolteacher, WNBA basketball star, professional singer, brain surgeon, and mental health counselor. I'm sticking with the last one. 

10. I hate shopping.

11. I'm allergic to cats, walnuts, mosquitos, fleas, and tics. And occasionally boys. 

12. I like rapping (Eminem, Nicki Minaj), especially with my sister. 

13. I love to sing. 

14. The clothes in my closet are color-coded and categorized, and they all face the same way. 

15. I drive a Toyota 4Runner named "Eileen" because her alignment is off and she "leans."

#2: A picture of you and the person you have been close with for the longest

"Sweet Pea and Baby-head"

Just finding a picture is evidence enough that my sister Randi and I have spent a LOT of time together. I had over 70 pictures to choose from! She is sooo smart, beautiful, and has such a cheerful countenance. Sure, we argued a lot growing up, but we know we can't live without each other. She understands all I've been through because she went through it too. She is honest with me and I know we will always be best friends. I love my sister!


#3: A Picture of Your Favorite Night

It's obviously impossible to pick one favorite night of my whole life, so I chose one of my most recent favorites. On our last night in Sweden, after dinner we decided to sing for the Helgesson family as a little thank you. Two separate cultures came together, and Anna (in the picture) and I discovered that we both knew America's "Horse with No Name." Music binds people together, and I will always hold a special place in my heart for the Helgessons. (Read about that adventure here). 

#4: A Picture of a Person You'd Love to Trade Places with for a Day

Jamie Lee Curtis is fantastic, but who I want to trade places with is Dr. Tess Coleman from Freaky Friday. She has my dream job: Psychologist, counselor, mom, and best-selling author! I love her office, her clients, and especially the store scene when she's talking through her ear-piece to her client and the cook behind the counter thought the compliments were for her. Mental health counselors truly make the world a better place. I can't wait to be there. 

#5: A Picture that Makes You Laugh

I literally had to get up and pee after looking for this one, I was laughing so hard. I found many hilarious pictures but this is, hands-down, the winner:

I somehow got a hold of my dad's swim cap, goggles, and jock strap. I know I will be blackmailed with this picture for life, but somehow, I'm okay with that.


#6: A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most

No one messes with Becca and I. We're tough. We go shopping dressed like Kickboxing Lunatics and WE DON'T CARE. Becca and I lived together my first two years of college. We have been through SO much, and we've stayed best friends through it all. Becca is the kind of person everyone goes to for advice and comfort. Now she's getting married and I get to be her maid of honor!!


#7: A picture of the person you do the craziest things with

We began as folder partners in Women's Chorus, and before you knew it we were flying to London together! I have experienced some of the best adventures of my life with Christiana. She is a blast; I couldn't have had a better roommate in Europe! Even now, we still try to find time to have adventures, and it's always a party.

#8: A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

I LOVE my mom. She is my absolute best friend on this planet. Not a day goes by that I don't talk to her or at least think of her. She is my rock, my shining star, and my example. She has taught me so many important lessons, like how life is meant to be enjoyed, not just endured. She is one of the most compassionate and selfless people I have ever known.


#9: A picture of someone who inspires you

When I grow up, I want to be just like my sister Rikki. She is one of the most intelligent people I know, both career-wise and also with street smarts. She is beautiful--no GORGEOUS, athletic, musically talented, funny, dependable, and caring. She's even better at picking out clothes for me than I am. Whenever I consider settling for average, I remember her shoes I want to fill (and quite literally--she has the cutest shoes ever!!) and I aim higher.  Rikkiann has encouraged me more than anybody to spread my wings and live life.


#10: A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

This is Venice, Italy. I'm going there someday. Other than my lifelong obsession with Italia, I would love to go to one of the world's centers of liberal and performing arts....and the best food. And I'd definitely spend lots of time in Italy's capital too, to see the Vatican and the Rome Temple.


#11. A picture of something you wish you were better at

I never went through the ballerina stage as a young girl. I was raised to like sports, and I spent my childhood roller blading, climbing trees, and scraping my knees. I really wish I could dance. I've taken ballet at BYU and I'm okay. But I'm certainly not graceful.


#12: A picture of something that means a lot to you

I love singing. I love being in choir. I really wish that there was a greater appreciation for choral music. I think the reason it is hard for people to enjoy choir is because they actually have to think at concerts. Rather than just have everything wash over them, they have to pay attention to the harmonies, the lyrics, and the tone of each piece. Music is NOT about entertaining. It can provide joy, but the real purpose of music is to touch hearts.


#13: A picture of yourself and a family member

We used to look so much alike when we were younger that we referred to each other as Siamese twins. I still call Lauren my Siam, and I love being at college with her. I have so many fond memories of our sleepovers, conversations, and games. Lauren always helps me remember the big picture of things when I start to get too detail-oriented. I also love her family...Craig is the older brother I never had and I talk to him about SO MUCH. Eric and Ben are so fun to hang out with, and Evan is not so little anymore--he's a bundle of energy!

#14: A picture of someone you miss

My dad. I really miss my dad.

#15: A picture of something you're afraid of

Yeah, spiders and worms are pretty awful, but my biggest fear is actually earthquakes. When one begins, I have a complete panic attack. I break out in a cold sweat, huddle on the ground, and often start crying. It's weird admitting this because it seems so silly, but there's no humor to be found when the very ground you walk on every day--maybe the only constant think in your life--is suddenly shaking beneath you. I feel like ten seconds could turn my life into utter devastation, and I couldn't do anything about it. You can kill spiders or step over worms, but there's no getting out of an earthquake. 

#16: A picture of you when you were little

This was the epitome of me as a kid. I'd pull up the clothes hamper and prop my books on it and read. I'd sit on the toilet for hours just because it was so fun. My mom would always knock on the door and ask, "Are you okay in there, Jo-Girl?" "Yeah, Mom! I'm just reading 'I Wish That I Had Duck Feet.'"