The Wonderful Weekend

My Mom and I had an absolutely fabulous time in D.C. We met up with a friend from South Africa who now lives there. I had forgotten how funny Gavin is, which made the tour so much better. Naturally he took us to the sights we needed to see - Capitol Hill, The Washington Memorial, The Iwo Jima sculpture, The White House, The Lincoln Memorial,











This was our view of the White House - lovely isn't it?





and then he also took us to Hains Point to see the "The Awakening" sculpture. It was so fun to clamber over the huge hands and feet. I tried to fit in his mouth for a picture, but he had really sharp teeth and I didn't enjoy feeling like I was being bitten on the butt by an inanimate object.









The next morning we took a tour of Arlington Cemetery. I couldn't believe how huge the place was. My Mom told me that no matter which way you looked, the 200lb white marble tomb stones were in a straight line. Fascinating.



Our last morning there we drove to see the temple. It was the perfect end to a really great Girls weekend away.

Capital Weekend

I am going to Washington DC with my mom tomorrow for a friends wedding. I've never been there, so am excited to take in a few of the sights around "Our nations capital".
I'll be back on Monday. This is going to be a fun trip.

Back in Action

I worked my first freelance photoshoot today. It felt so good to be on set again. For this shoot I was hired on as the stylist by photographer Erik Isakson (check out his website). It was a lifestyle tennis shoot, and I had to shop and style 8 people (two changes of clothing for each), and get all the props etc. We shot at a private court in someones backyard. What a beautiful setting, right up against the mountain. Man it feels good to be doing what I do well again.

Here are a couple of pictures on the shoot:

Mack Deprivation

My Mack is gone. Well perhaps thats taking it a bit far. Mack is doing another Army course for the next three weeks. He gets to jump out of planes and do all kinds of fun stuff - except sleep at home. See where I'm going with this? I don't enjoy him being away, but understand the reality of life. I just think its adding insult to injury when he's sleeping less than a five minute drive away. You see Mack's course is at Camp Williams, the base we live kitty corner to. Unfortunately the course instructors want all their men accounted for on base - especially at night.

The reason I'm whining is cause I don't sleep well when he's away. At least I'll still get to see him a couple of hours each day. Whew!

A Sacred Secret of the East Revealed

Gillian introduced me to Goji berries. She bought me a small Himalania snack bag. I throw a few in my mouth everytime I start to fell peckish. I actually like them, and if they're all they're cracked up to be, then they're doing me a whole bunch of age-defying good.

The blurb on the website reads as follows:
Discovered in the Himalayas 3,000 years ago, Goji berries are considered to be one of the world’s most nutrient rich fruit. For centuries, the Goji berry has been honored among Asian cultures that believed in its strength building and properties associated with longevity.
The legend says that this sacred fruit has been harvested with care by monks for thousands of years. This berry of pure vitality is also widely used in Chinese and Tibetan medicines. Virtually unknown to the West until recently, Goji berries are rich age-defying anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals.

Try some - They're really not bad.

Two Whole Years

Today is my second wedding anniversary. It seems like only yesterday I was running around picking up flowers, double checking arrangements and just completely stressing out. Oh how time flies. The last two years have been very good for me. Mack is an absolute gem. Look how cute we were.

Home Again

California with Gillian was so much fun. I really didn't want to leave, except I really missed Mack and don't sleep very well when I'm away from him. And would you believe I forgot to take my camera. I am so mad with myself.

I arrived on Tuesday morning and Gill picked me up from the airport. We went to this little cafe and had wholewheat oatmeal pancakes - hmmmm, very yummy. Then we walked along the 3rd street promenade a bit (Gill lives about three blocks away). We decided to take the afternoon easy and went to the Point Dume Beach, where I read magazines and Gillian started on the 7th Harry Potter book. It was such a relaxing afternoon. I was amazed at how relaxed just the sound and smell of the sea makes me. Its the one thing I still really miss from home. I got a bit sun burnt on my chest, but nothing too bad thank goodness.



That evening was absolutely gorgeous so we walked about two miles to the famous Santa Monica Stairs and partook in a bit of vigorous butt and thigh toning. Let me tell you these stairs are no joke. But, if Mathew McConaughey exercises on those stairs, then by golly so would I.



Wednesday morning we slept in, then took a casual stroll to the farmers market. Now I really wish there was a market like this one close to my house. I could have spent sooooooooo much money. The fruit and veg were amazing. I wanted to buy everything I saw. Gill and I bought a bunch of fresh veggies and some fresh dill to bake for supper. We also bought a few of the sweetest peaches and then I saw a punnet of fresh figs. I hadn't had a fresh fig in like ten years so I had to buy them. they weren't the best I've ever had, but they still tasted like memories and that made them delicious.



Then we went to the little British bakery to get meat pies for lunch, which we took to the beach with us that afternoon - we decided we needed to get a little sun on our backs this time.

Thursday morning we woke up bright and early, washed a few strawberries that we had bought at the market the previous day and went to do a short hike in Runyon Canyon Park . What a lovely park, especially for dog lovers. There were so many people and their dogs exercising. It was really quite fun.



At one of the entrances to the park there was a grassy patch where an instructor was teaching a free yoga class. I was so enthused after our excursion up there.

We drove back to Gill's place through a few of the uber wealthy neighbourhoods. Sometimes its just fun to see how the rest of the world live don't you think? After that, there was just enough time for me to shower and get to the airport.

Sigh, what a relaxing, perfect three days.

Hollywood Baby

I am going to L.A. tomorrow for a couple of days to visit with my friend Gillian. We haven't spent much time together in recent years and its going to be so much fun just to hang out and relax, not to mention reminisce about living in London together and the crazy bats we used to look after. Oh the memories.

The Cutest Thing

I had lunch with Nicole today. This was the first time I had seen her since I left Rubberball. It was so good getting caught up and seeing her new townhouse. She bought me this most adorable little framed picture from Belle and Boo. She said it made her think of me, and symbolizes me finally being free from the tyranny that is Rubberball.

Monday Night Rodeo

My mom got free tickets to the Ogden Rodeo on Monday night. She had never been to a Rodeo and neither had Ethan, so she was excited to go and see what the people here in "The West" do for fun. I couldn't miss this opportunity to see Ethan's reaction.



My favourite part of the evening was what they call "Mutton Bustin". They take these tiny little kids (not older than 4 or 5 yrs) and get them to hold on for dear life to a sheep. They then slap the sheep which sends it running, and then they time how long the kid stays on the sheep. It was completely hilarious.

Ethan thoroughly enjoyed the Bronco riding, but didn't like it when "the naughty man hurteded the little cows". Throughout the steer tying even he kept yelling "naughty man stop that".

On our way home I asked him what his favourite part of the Rodeo was. His reply "I liked the gurls - the princesses" (referring to the highly sequenced hopefuls in the Miss Rodeo Utah pageant.)


This is Allyson's idea of smiling for the camera.

Tastes Like Home

On Saturday afternoon, Mack, my Mom and I went to the London Market in Salt Lake City (across from Trolley Square). We had hoped that the new tea room and bakery would be open so we could sit down for a good pie and gravy and some scones and cream, but alas, we found that the tea room was still under construction and would only be opening in mid August.

So instead we spent large amounts of money on a few other things that we hadn't had a in a while and that reminded us of home. Hmmm yummy!

Pot Heads

It is true - I am not ashamed to say it - Mack and I bought the 7th Harry Potter book yesterday. Mack is reading it first as I am re-reading the 6th book to prepare myself for the nail bitingness that is supposed to be Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

We have not stopped reading. Every now and then Mack will make a comment that just makes me want to bite him. A comment like "Oh, interesting", or "I never thought they'd kill him...", or "two people just died sweetie, but don't worry they weren't important".

It'll be my turn to read it soon enough, and then I'll be able to ruin things for others too. Yay.

Just for Laughs

Poor Baby

Mack had his septoplasty yesterday. In essence he had a nose job. At least thats what his new nickname has become. I am happy to report that he is in full recovery mode. I know this because a) he tried to grab my butt while still waking up from anesthesia, and b) he spent the rest of the day glued to his computer games.

Here he is with stuff oozing out of his nose and the handy device they gave him to catch it. (We had just barely changed his dressings to keep this a PG rated post)

BFL vs FWDGF

Its been a week and a half. I have lost 4 lbs since I started the diet. I have also been a very naughty girl and cheated pretty badly with the eating part of the diet. I have however been pretty darn good about the exercise part. I got a call from my sister-in-law letting me know her progress. She is on a road trip with her parents right now and said that its really hard sticking to her diet because there is so much to snack on in the car. I can't say I'm sad she's cheating too. Makes me feel better.
If I continue to have an average weight loss of 2 lbs a week, I'll have lost 24 lbs by the end of the course - not too shabby if you ask me.

I am a Brownie

My house is clean, I've tidied and sorted all my closets and so with nothing better to do for the rest of the day I started looking up random peoples blogs. I know - no comment. Anyway I found that I am a brownie. Check it out.

You Are a Brownie

Decadent and intense, you aren't for the weakhearted. Those who can deal with your strong flavor find out how sweet you really are.

What Dessert Are You Most Like?

Bizarre Brazil

Last night I had the surreal "pleasure?" of watching Terry Gilliam's Brazil(1985).



Now I have to tell you that I don't think I had time to try and figure out what this movie was about the whole 2hrs 20min I sat watching it. It ended and both Mack and I remained sitting exactly where we were, completely numb and yet enthralled at the same time.

I thought that possibly sleeping on my confusion would help me compartmentalize this movie (I have to do this to everything, it just makes my brain happier), or possibly make up my mind about the subtext of the movie (I was a film major for heaven's sake, I should be able to dissect a film completely). Possibly the reason I can't come to a conclusion about the subtext is because there isn't just one.
I think the whole "man versus machine" text is pretty blatant, then there is the whole "the cost of literally pursuing your dreams/fantasies" at the same time as the "dreams/fantasies are never the same in reality" texts. The "price of consumerism on society" text is also pretty blatant. There are so many other subtexts that I can't completely wrap my mind around right now, like the uncomfortability of the incongruity of the dialog and visuals - they use innocuous terms like "information retrieval" instead of "torture and interrogation". It makes complete sense that this was a deliberate device now that I'm writing it, but in the context of the film, your senses are so bombarded that such obvious things get overlooked in the search for the way deeper meaning.

I have to say thought that there were a couple of scenes that made Mack and me look at one another in total confusion, and then others that made us both laugh out loud.

This picture is from a scene where we both laughed out loud. The protagonists Mother is getting prepped for a face lift. The picture speaks for itself.




I just have to end with this completely pompous quote from a review on Imdb by user mariogreymist: "Brazil is a very cerebral film, so if you are thinking, "What does cerebral mean?" you can probably skip it. Anyone who expects to have a story clearly spelled out for them, and done so in a concise manner with little background interference will hate Brazil. Brazil is a film for those who want texture, emotional involvement and some sort of deeper meaning."

Personally I think the film is just weird, which is what I think the insane genius Terry Gilliam was going for.

New Desk

I'm on my way to actually decorating the "Library" the way I want it to be decorated. Naturally I forgot to take a before shot, but here is an after shot of the new desk we got from Ikea. It doesn't look spectacular yet, but its a start in the right direction.

Caught my Eye

When in Florence, Nicole and I were on our way to see Michael Angelo's "David" and we passed a store totally out of character for the city. It sold a bunch of really contemporary kitchen gadgets. This one was in the window and completely caught my eye. It made me laugh so hard. Sadly it had been sold by the time we came out of the gallery.

BFL vs FWDGF

I wrote about the fact that I was starting the Body for Life twelve week challenge. I told my sister-in-law Allyson I had started and she told me she wanted to do something similar. Her idea was this:

Why don't I do the Body for Life challenge and she would pick a different twelve week course and then we would compare our results at the end. I thought this was a fabulous incentive. I waited for her to pick a challenge. After much consideration, she picked the French Women Don't Get Fat course.

So it starts again, with yesterday being our first day. Now bear in mind that we are tripping to South Africa in the middle of this challenge. I don't know if I'll be able to remain strong with all my childhood sweets and chocolates surrounding me.

You're on Al!

I'm Going Home

Its official. My tickets are booked. I leave 14 September 2007. I will spend 6 weeks in my homeland. It is going to be such fun. My whole family will be there.

Beautiful Cape Town here I come!

Sun, Sand and Lake

Mack and I spent the weekend at Bear Lake with my brother Darren and his family. The weather was absolutely fantastic and we came home completely sunned out.

4th of July Salutations

My first year in America, I was asked the following question:

So how do you celebrate the fourth of July in your country?

I told the questioner that we pretty much did what we do most days - go to work, come home, have supper etc.

This statement was met with an appallingly sour face.

I went on to explain that America is the only country to actually celebrate "American Independence Day".

This statement was met with a blank stare.

So to all my friends who are American and who are celebrating their Independence Day I say "Happy 4th of July" and to all the rest I say "nice day isn't it?"

It Starts

I started my new "Body for Life" program today. I don't think I'll post my before picture, mainly cause its way too hideous for words. And, I don't think I'll post my after picture cause I won't want too many people to be jealous. Seriously though. This diet/exercise program is something that is completely necessary. I feel gross!
My trip back to South Africa in September is my main incentive. I want to look good and feel good for a change.

So this is what I ate today:
9:15 am 1 small egg white omelette
1 small bowl of Optimum Power Organic Breakfast cereal
1/4 C skim milk
500ml water

12:17pm 1 Slim Fast Shake
8 oz lemon rooibos tea

2:49 pm 1 slice of whole wheat bread,
lean sliced ham, lettuce
8 oz lemon rooibos tea

6:18 pm 1 small baked potato
2 Tbsp low fat cottage cheese
1 spinach, cilantro and green onion side salad
1/4 C avocado
1 side of lightly sauteed cabbage
8 oz lemon rooibos tea

I spent 45min at the gym doing strength training on my upper body.

I was completely knackered afterwards and could barely drive home - all in all a good day and a good workout.

30 Years Together - Now Thats What I Call Love

Mack's parents celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary this weekend. They had a great party in their backyard and invited the whole neighbourhood. I got the fabulous job of decorating the cakes. The icing was melting in the heat and my hand was shaking like I was on some sort of medication, so I thought they looked like a two year old could have decorated them, but I got some good feedback. People are so nice. (oh and don't judge my pictures right now, I don't have photoshop.)





Mack grilled chicken like a dutiful son,



and his sisters did what sisters do best.



Funny, I didn't actually take a picture of his parents - the whole reason we were there.