Life Lesson Learned #5

It has been way to long since I posted my last Life Lesson. I was planning on doing it regularly, but didn't. I'll make sure to post these more often. :)

Life Lesson I learned #5:



Growing up I always had several opportunities to sing in church either by myself or with my sisters. I had always preferred the later, since I was shy and didn't like to sing by myself. I still prefer to sing with one of my sisters. I love the harmony we create.

Anyway, one of these opportunities came back when I was probably in 9th grade. My sisters Caitilin, Erin, and I had been asked to sing for a Stake Youth Fireside, held in our Stake Center. I don't remember the song we sang but I do remember what happened.

The chapel was full and extended to the cultural hall. There we were singing our song at the podium. We each had a turn to sing a solo part. First Cailitin sang and then I sang. While Erin was doing her solo Caitilin and I looked at each other and started cautiously whispering about where we were going to sit after we finished singing.

"hey, should we go sit there when we're done?" pointing with our heads, and slight glances at each other with the corner of our eyes.

WHAT?! Yeah, I know. I guess it didn't occur to us that we were chatting up there, with the microphone in front of us, while Erin was singing her heart out. It wasn't loud or anything, and it wasn't like we were being totally insensitive. It was more like a quiet subtle chat. STILL, is wasn't the best thing to have done.

It didn't occur to us that we had done anything wrong until Mom came up to us and told us how great we sounded, and how the harmonies were right on, and how we "probably shouldn't be chatting up there while singing". That's when it hit me and I realized our mistake.

Ok, I get it! So, don't chat while standing up there singing, and while everyone is looking at you. You may not think they can hear you, but they can. Be reverent and pay attention to what is going on.

Lesson Learned.

Sushi anyone??

For the past...umm...well...since Ryan's Birthday in March, we have frequented a lovely restaurant, Happy Sumo.

I took Ryan there for his B-day since he loves seafood. I myself have never been a seafood lover or liker at all. But I have sure been trying. In fact I admit. I LOVE Halibut. Yep, I really do.

Anyway, I took him there knowing that we'd be getting Sushi and I'd have to try it. Now this is the real stuff, not Costco's faux Sushi.

Since I'd never ordered Sushi before in my life I had no idea what to get. The menu has these pictures of these exotic looking Sushi rolls that were actually really scary looking. What was I getting myself into?!

We chose the Spicy Maki with raw salmon, yellow tail and tuna in the middle. I remember looking at them and telling Ryan, "umm...they're raw. Is this going to kill us?" Duh! That's what Sushi is! I'd think I actually ate 4 of them as I struggled to get them down and tried to not think about the raw fish I was chewing. YUCK!

Fast forward 6 months later and after 5 or 6 visits back to Happy Sumo, I am in LOVE! I'm still cautious about some of their things, but I have definitely found my favorite.

Kristine and I went there Saturday night. I was going to get my usual, the Coconut crusted Halibut Steak or the "Vegas Roll", but I found something else that looked just as good. "The Surf & Turf". WOW!!! I'm salivating just thinking about it now.

(this isn't the surf & turf but it sort of looks like it, without the steak, and sauce on it)

It's a Tempura dipped Sushi (which I prefer, since I'm still not huge on the raw thing...this way it's cooked more). Inside is has a little chunk of steak, and crab. It's covered in a citrus and eel sauce. Yeah, I never thought those particular food items would fall into a love category with me, but it is truly amazing!!

Sushi anyone!?!?

Music

I'm really slacking on this blog. I think about how I used to be pretty good at writing in my journal, and how I haven't done that in a long time because I've had this blog. However, I didn't use this blog as a place to let out feelings like I did with my Journal. I mean, I do share my feelings but not like I would in a journal. But, I think I'd like to start - if you don't mind. :)

It's amazing to me the feelings I get when I listen to certain music. Sometimes I'll hear a certain song and immediately my eyes will well up with tears as it brings me back to different times in my life. Sometimes those times were difficult, sometimes they were happy, sometimes they were neutral and had mixed feelings.

Maybe it's a song that I've never heard of but the chords in the song bring me to a feeling of desperation, loneliness, nostalgia. This happened the other day when Erin played a song for me in her car as we drove around during lunch. The song is called, "I wasn't prepared" by Eisley. At first it kind of annoyed me, but after hearing it for the second time I felt the desperation in that song. It was amazing! I know that sounds weird, but the key change and minor chords in songs touch me so deeply it's hard to not be amazed by it...and honestly it's these types of songs that make me cry. I don't know why.

In a way it brings me back to my childhood in Hawaii. A time that I loved, a time filled with so many memories, a time that was dificult, a time where I learned so many things, a time where music was abundant, especially those awesome 70's soft rock songs. Maybe that's why I cry when I listen to these songs.

A few songs that also makes me feel this way are, "I believe" by the Lettermen, "This never happened before" by Paul McCartney, "Honolulu City Lights", "Time" by the Alan Parsons Project, "Graduation day" by the Lettermen, and more recently "Brighter then Sunshine" by Aqualung.

I think it's a psychological thing that I do. I think in a way I like to feel that desperation, that sadness at times that music brings, that nostalgia. I remember when I was little, about 5 or 6 years old, I was sitting in a chair in our living room in Hawaii. I had just finished watching the movie musical, "Oliver". I remember how sad it was seeing a boy who was an orphan and didn't have a Mom and Dad. I remember sitting there and singing very softly the song, "where is love". I was in my own little world acting as if I was Oliver and I didn't have a family. I remember sitting there as tears were streaming down my face while I continued to softly sing it. Then I realized my Dad was in the room with me so I stopped. But to this day I remember the feeling I felt when I sang that song to myself, acting like I was Oliver. Silly, I know.

Maybe that's why whenever I hear a song that has those "sad" keys and chords to it, I get weepy. But I actually feel those feelings in songs. It's like I'm the one they're singing about, or the song is actually about someone I love who maybe is no longer with me. I don't know! I can't explain the feeling I get when music is playing.

But I love it, and could never live without it.

Megan & James

My big sister Megan got married two weeks ago to James Tucker. Her little family of 3 has now blended with his little family of 4 - making this now a family of 7.

Love it!!

Congrats you two!

Check out more pictures here

Slacker me...(long post)

-I don't know why, but I've managed to push my blog aside as other things have taken priority. Some of these things shouldn't take priority like this...


Yes, this is my farm on Facebook's 'Farm Town'. I believe it was Karen T. that first uploaded the picture of her farm on her blog, and from then I was intrigued as to what this game was. Yeah, I'm addicted now. Same with 'YoVille'. Grr.


-I've also been doing this...a much better addiction.


...however during the process I've managed to get bronchitis, and plantar fasciitis. Isn't running supposed to make you healthier?! I took last week off to try and get better with some meds and ice. Let's hope this week, and from now on brings healthier benefits.


-I also got to spend some time with this wonderful girl! My beautiful step daughter, Lexus.


...we went shopping and found some AMAZING deals at Old Navy during their 50% off clearance sale, and their additional 30% off friends and family deal. What a rush it is spending $20 on 10 different clothing items, and then going back for more and not having to pay for it, but getting $1.52 back. Yeah, awesome deal!
-We went and took her pictures that we do each year when she comes. She wanted to use the same hat I gave her last year.
-We had a girls night with Ryan's mom, Jane, and watched 'The Wizard of Oz'. So fun!
-We had a little Birthday party for Lex, since we never get to be there for the actual day in May. My parents came over and gave her some clothes, which she loved! I'm so grateful for my family, who has taken Lexus in like a granddaughter/niece. She is loved!
-The day she left we were running late to the airport to get her back to Texas and missed her first flight, but got to enjoy another 2 hours with her while we waited for the next flight (which she almost missed again - even after being at the gate 20 minutes early...what is up with the flight times!)
-We may have plans for her to come for Christmas. Let's hope it all works out. :)

I celebrated my 32nd Birthday a week ago today. Here's what we did...

-The day before the big day Ryan took me to the Clarke Planetarium to see the IMAX 3-D movie 'Bugs'. A little disturbing...but cool.
-We tried to eat dinner at The Cheesecake Factory, but the wait was too long so we went to Rodizio Grill. Yummy! The Lime Pie was the BEST!
-Sunday we went to my parents house for a combined party with my youngest brother Conn, who had his birthday July 31st.
-Mom made her yummy homemade cheesecake for desert and had some awesome Spaghetti for dinner.
-We may have started a,new Birthday tradition this year. My friends at work were so awesome and decorated my desk with a Pinata. I wanted to include everyone in on the fun...






It was a good birthday!


Last night we had a family get together with Ryan's side. His Grandma had her 80th Birthday party at Aunt Pat's house.

-We started the event with Ryan's parents coming back into town.
-We got up early yesterday morning to meet Grandma & Grandpa Hadden, and Uncle Rusty, for breakfast at Village Inn, by 8am. We were running a little late but expected to be there within 15 minutes...until we hit Construction traffic at 10600 south. We inched our way to Village in after being stuck for 45 minutes on that darn freeway.
-After breakfast Grandma, Jane and I did a little shopping damage. We went to Macy's and Ross.
-Then it was back home to get ready and then back up to South Jordan to help decorate and get the food ready for the big party. What fun we had! Love my family!

During the past week Ryan stayed home from work.

-He got the garage done. It looks great! He had the walls textured to match the inside of our house, and then painted it all himself. Great job Babe!!

I finally feel less stressed at work.

-I got the last of my agents yearly reviews done on Friday. Went into work at 4am to meet with the last group of them. Finally DONE!!!

That's all for now...until next time.

.....lately

Lately I've been running. I hurt. But I'm still going. My calves are definitely getting stronger.

Lately I've been a little frustrated. I broke down to a man named Abdul at the airport. Embarrasing. Sometimes we get a little too stressed out.

Lately I've been feeling a bit overwhelemed at work. It's annual review time. Lots of projects that I'm in charge of. I'm feeling run down.

Lately I've been spending time with my step daughter, Lexus. She's great! We miss her already.

Lately I've been a bit addicted to games. Farm Town and Yo Ville. Oh boy!

Lately, and for a long time now, I've wanted to take a real vacation.

Can I just take like 3 months off of work?!