I decided to give up sweets--THIS ENTIRE YEAR.
I'm 18 days clean and counting.
It's super insane. I'm not really a sweets-a-holic; I'm just a social sweet-eater. But when you live in Utah, every social event highlights something sweet (seriously Mormons, couldn't we have made "wrapping everything in bacon" our treat of choice?), so I made this a New Year's Resolution so I would consciously avoid sweets.
Can I just tell you how hard this is? I mean, it's pretty hard. Definitely a lot harder than I thought it would be. I have a heightened sense of awareness when I see a picture of a cupcake---or a lamp that looks like a cupcake. Or a chocolate store--or a person whose sweater is "chocolate" brown. Mmmmmm. Yum.
I attempt to satisfy this hunger by: eating cereal, eating peanut butter, and eating lots and lots of carbs. It doesn't help too much, but it at least makes my body not feel so bad. After eating cake, I'd feel so gross. After eating 2 1/2 bowls of frosted flakes, I feel like I can still party.
I just wanted to tell you all that. I saw a cupcake today and asked myself the question Professor Wardle so thoughtfully asked in a book once: "What's the Harm?"
FINAL THOUGHT: Not to get all churchy and stuff, but I think the biggest motivation to keep going is not just because I "promised myself" I'd do it, but because going without sweets gives me the same benefits as fasting. By going without something for a prolonged amount of time, it helps you focus on things that really matter and draw you closer to other better things in your life. You know, like frosted flakes.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
WSJ and The Onion...Separated at Birth
Don't get me wrong--I love the Wall Street Journal more than any other newspaper in the world. But today's "most popular stories" looked more like headlines from The Onion than from a reputable news source.
FIGHT OR FLIGHT
This year, I have clocked more hours on the phone with the staff of continental.com (including that annoying automated message that repeatedly boasts of the airline's "congress of chefs and sommeliers) than with any and all of my family members combined--and I have 25 family members. Why? Because of their ridiculous change fees. It costs $50 - $150 to change my flight to any other flight but the ones I want. The policy sounds pretty reasonable, but the practical application is almost entirely useless...kind of like reading someone his Miranda rights.
I wish I weren't so pleasant with customer service people. I'm pretty sure if I had complained that would've given me what I wanted. Instead, here am I with a midnight flight to Salt Lake and missing the BEST CLASS IN THE UNIVERSE:: Intro to Music Business.
On that note, I am willing to pay $30 and dinner to anyone in Utah who is willing to video record the lecture for me. (I already have a volunteer who will tape record it for free, but I'd benefit much more from a video recording, even a really shoddy one on an iPhone or camera. Any takers?
I wish I weren't so pleasant with customer service people. I'm pretty sure if I had complained that would've given me what I wanted. Instead, here am I with a midnight flight to Salt Lake and missing the BEST CLASS IN THE UNIVERSE:: Intro to Music Business.
On that note, I am willing to pay $30 and dinner to anyone in Utah who is willing to video record the lecture for me. (I already have a volunteer who will tape record it for free, but I'd benefit much more from a video recording, even a really shoddy one on an iPhone or camera. Any takers?
Monday, January 3, 2011
YEAR IN REVUE
Sure it's a little late but get over it. I still need to have my postmortum with one of the most interesting years of my life: 2010. You were good to me.
Highlights
* I officially became a groupie and went to more concerts this year than I ever have in other years combined. Among my greatest groupie feats was getting invited back to the hotel with the keyboardist of a national band (don't worry--We only went into the lobby) and having the keyboardist of another band prank call me.
* I underwent two elective procedures on a complete whim--one of which involved a clamp and flaps, the other of which involved a doctor pushing my head back against a kitchen wall and coming at me with a needle while his toddler son ate Little Caesar's pizza three feet away.
* I narrowly escaped kidnapping from a Mexican drug cartel on the U.S./Mexico border during the 4th of July when I went out for a seven-mile jog that went horribly, horribly wrong.
* I biked 10 miles to my boyfriend's house, only to find that another girl had taken my place, the kind of stuff Simon and Garfunkel warned me about. But they didn't warn me that the same girl would start a very public verbal slaughtering of me before leaving the festivities. One of the better memories of 2010, indeed. :)
* I pulled off the greatest April Fool's Day in the world, leading my parents to believe I was marrying an unemployed young boy with no direction, leading a guy I went on a date with to believe I was actually married when we went out, and leading both my ex-boyfriend and my roommate to believe that someone had stolen their cars...leading me to never want to top that April Fool's Day.
* I attended the only university other than BYU: University of Utah, which ended up being a refreshing change of scenery and allowed me to meet some really cool people and learn what it's like to have a separation of church and books.
* I lost one of the best friends I've had in the most epic way possible, while also losing some of the best friends I've ever had in pretty much the same way I've lost them since I was five. The latter wasn't shocking and is pretty much written into the emotional budget plan; the other was so unexpected but so entertaining that it was totally worth it. I think.
* I dated the youngest boy I've ever dated and also took the moral high ground by refusing to kiss him until he went on, and completed, his mission.
* I negotiated my rent for the first time and won big time!
* I completed my first 5K, and my recorded time was 23 minutes and something seconds.
* PROM FIASCO: Probably the most memorable part of my year and quite possibly the best fodder for the next teen angst/drama box office HIT but not quite distant enough to explain via an open, online portal.
2010, I loved you so. How in the world could 2011 compete?
Future... what the heck do you want from me????
Highlights
* I officially became a groupie and went to more concerts this year than I ever have in other years combined. Among my greatest groupie feats was getting invited back to the hotel with the keyboardist of a national band (don't worry--We only went into the lobby) and having the keyboardist of another band prank call me.
* I underwent two elective procedures on a complete whim--one of which involved a clamp and flaps, the other of which involved a doctor pushing my head back against a kitchen wall and coming at me with a needle while his toddler son ate Little Caesar's pizza three feet away.
* I narrowly escaped kidnapping from a Mexican drug cartel on the U.S./Mexico border during the 4th of July when I went out for a seven-mile jog that went horribly, horribly wrong.
* I biked 10 miles to my boyfriend's house, only to find that another girl had taken my place, the kind of stuff Simon and Garfunkel warned me about. But they didn't warn me that the same girl would start a very public verbal slaughtering of me before leaving the festivities. One of the better memories of 2010, indeed. :)
* I pulled off the greatest April Fool's Day in the world, leading my parents to believe I was marrying an unemployed young boy with no direction, leading a guy I went on a date with to believe I was actually married when we went out, and leading both my ex-boyfriend and my roommate to believe that someone had stolen their cars...leading me to never want to top that April Fool's Day.
* I attended the only university other than BYU: University of Utah, which ended up being a refreshing change of scenery and allowed me to meet some really cool people and learn what it's like to have a separation of church and books.
* I lost one of the best friends I've had in the most epic way possible, while also losing some of the best friends I've ever had in pretty much the same way I've lost them since I was five. The latter wasn't shocking and is pretty much written into the emotional budget plan; the other was so unexpected but so entertaining that it was totally worth it. I think.
* I dated the youngest boy I've ever dated and also took the moral high ground by refusing to kiss him until he went on, and completed, his mission.
* I negotiated my rent for the first time and won big time!
* I completed my first 5K, and my recorded time was 23 minutes and something seconds.
* PROM FIASCO: Probably the most memorable part of my year and quite possibly the best fodder for the next teen angst/drama box office HIT but not quite distant enough to explain via an open, online portal.
2010, I loved you so. How in the world could 2011 compete?
Future... what the heck do you want from me????
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
UP AGAIN! Dreaming of Tusks?
What is with me? It's not like I went to Thailand for a week and am jetlagged. No, no it's not that. But for some reason, for the past week, I have been going to sleep some time in the morning (5, 6, or 7 am) at times that I normally was waking up. No amount of dietary, exercise, or sleep change has been able to effect it yet. I think I will try not sleeping all day this morning and see if I'm tired enough to sleep through the night tomorrow. (One night, I successfully got to bed around 10pm, but then woke up helplessly at 1 a.m. I couldn't get back to bed until around 7 a.m.)
Anyone have any good suggestions to get over non-jetlag jetlag?
In other news, I've decided that the best soundtrack to an insomniac's night is Fleetwood Mac on shuffle. That group can wail. I mean, I was never their number one fan, but for some reason, the chemicals being released in my brain at this time of night mix well with "Tusk," "Everywhere," and "Sara." Look them up. It's goooood (in a 500-days-of-summer-elevator-scene kind of way).
Anyone have any good suggestions to get over non-jetlag jetlag?
In other news, I've decided that the best soundtrack to an insomniac's night is Fleetwood Mac on shuffle. That group can wail. I mean, I was never their number one fan, but for some reason, the chemicals being released in my brain at this time of night mix well with "Tusk," "Everywhere," and "Sara." Look them up. It's goooood (in a 500-days-of-summer-elevator-scene kind of way).
Monday, December 20, 2010
No Tartar Sauce
Okay people, I am home for Christmas, and I just cooked myself up some delicious fish. I wanted to enjoy it with some tartar sauce--something I thought would be standard fare in any refrigerator. I always love coming home because of the amount of food constantly available at the house. But,
Turns out at my house we have
* more than five bottles of fresh salsa bottles written entirely in Spanish,
* a couple bottles of Italian sauces written exclusively in Italian,
* a jar of capers (which admittedly I snacked on during my hunt),
* a couple jars of green olives,
* three bottles of horseradish sauce,
* a couple containers of lime and lemon juice, among other "normal" condiments.
No Tartar sauce.
What is this, the end of days?
Turns out at my house we have
* more than five bottles of fresh salsa bottles written entirely in Spanish,
* a couple bottles of Italian sauces written exclusively in Italian,
* a jar of capers (which admittedly I snacked on during my hunt),
* a couple jars of green olives,
* three bottles of horseradish sauce,
* a couple containers of lime and lemon juice, among other "normal" condiments.
No Tartar sauce.
What is this, the end of days?
Friday, November 19, 2010
Selling Furniture/Moving Outta This Place!
I will accept the best offer for these items. I also have a floral print couch and a green papasan chair, both of which are not photographed, for free. Let me know!
7' Vintage couch with chair: $35 (comes with the large, matching chair below)
Large, comfortable matching chair (comes with set)
Tweed Chair $15
Dresser Drawers--Pottery Barn Style SOLD
Wood Desk (comes with a matching, cushioned chair not pictured) SOLD
Buffet $10
Book shelf: SOLD
Coffee Table SOLD
7' Vintage couch with chair: $35 (comes with the large, matching chair below)
Large, comfortable matching chair (comes with set)
Tweed Chair $15
Dresser Drawers--Pottery Barn Style SOLD
Wood Desk (comes with a matching, cushioned chair not pictured) SOLD
Buffet $10
Book shelf: SOLD
Coffee Table SOLD
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
My Ex-s Have The Best Ex-s
Okay so I'm not going into details because it's too long and I don't have time. But what's been on my mind recently are all the girls I've met recently who have dated my ex-boyfriends. Can I just tell you...I count myself lucky to have been attractive to the same guys who get to date these wonderful ladies.
Too often I think women get really catty and jealous when confronted with their arch enemies. As one of my ex's can attest (as he signed onto my Facebook account and stalked my chat conversations long after we broke up), my favorite people in the world are not naturally inclined to be the females that used to date my favorite boys. But why not?
I mean, seriously. We at least have one thing in common--that we broke up with the guy. On top of that, the guy was attracted to something in us that probably made us similar. In each instance, I've bumped into my ex-boyfriend's ex's and have LOVED them. Seriously, they are the most remarkable women.
One of them remembered my name, what I was studying, and my future goals from meeting me a year ago when she dated my ex. Another one of them invited me to her wedding group on Facebook. Another one called me her friend and suggested that we are so much alike. In every single case where I've actually gotten to know them, I am blown away.
Who are my heroes? My ex-boyfriends' ex-girlfriends. Hands down.
Too often I think women get really catty and jealous when confronted with their arch enemies. As one of my ex's can attest (as he signed onto my Facebook account and stalked my chat conversations long after we broke up), my favorite people in the world are not naturally inclined to be the females that used to date my favorite boys. But why not?
I mean, seriously. We at least have one thing in common--that we broke up with the guy. On top of that, the guy was attracted to something in us that probably made us similar. In each instance, I've bumped into my ex-boyfriend's ex's and have LOVED them. Seriously, they are the most remarkable women.
One of them remembered my name, what I was studying, and my future goals from meeting me a year ago when she dated my ex. Another one of them invited me to her wedding group on Facebook. Another one called me her friend and suggested that we are so much alike. In every single case where I've actually gotten to know them, I am blown away.
Who are my heroes? My ex-boyfriends' ex-girlfriends. Hands down.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
PURE LOVE
For the purposes of an update, I'm now a band manager. I officially manage 5 different Provo bands from 3 different genres. And I go to law school. And I am a recruiter for BYU. And I work for the state's largest (and really only)entertainment law firm. And I seriously, seriously love my life. Like seriously. And just when I thought it could not get any better, I opened my email and found this:
href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPLMwI1wabE&feature=player_embedded">
href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPLMwI1wabE&feature=player_embedded">
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Outta Control
Another deep post. Here goes...
In high school was the first time I learned that I had offended someone close to me. Our coach noticed that another Mormon girl didn't attend early morning seminary, so she was always able to make practice on time. He asked me about it and said, "Aren't all good Mormons supposed to go to seminary?" I answered, "No. The only thing is probably that you have a little harder time getting into BYU if you don't."
Somehow my coach thought it would be funny to go up to this other Mormon girl (who was in my ward and my Laurel's class with me) and say, "Sara said you're not a good Mormon because you don't attend seminary."
You can see how 1) this was completely not what I said, and 2) how that would be completely offensive to the person to whom it was directed. After the damage was done, I tried to repair it by explaining to my coach that that wasn't a funny joke and that he needed to apologize to this girl and let her know that I actually did not say that.
Too late. You know those moments when you just get wedged into your head one idea and hardly anything will change your mind on it? Yeah, I think this is what happened to this girl. She never talked to me again. Ok I take that back. I think I saw her at the temple once right before my mission and she was there for a wedding. I think I got a "Hello."
So this event had a huge, huge impact on my life. See, for weeks, months, and arguably YEARS later, I tried to repair this damage that I felt like I didn't really cause. I saw the hurt, and I saw how valid she was in thinking that it emanated from me. I seriously tried everything: service, cute notes, going through mutual friends, treats, everything. For the first time in my life, I felt like a total utter failure.
But I learned one thing about relationships: SOME THINGS ARE OUT OF YOUR CONTROL. And when you come across one of those situations, there's really a two-step process: 1) You do everything in your power at the time to remedy the situation, and 2) You let it go and respect their agency.
I have been repeatedly reminded of this principle over and over again the last three month with many different people. Perhaps that shows my weakness--that I cannot solve my own problems effectively. But you know what? It is what it is. I am me, and I am trying my best and sometimes my best isn't good enough for people.
So for all you whom I have offended, again and again for the rest of my life and forever, I am deeply sorry and would gladly do anything else to try to repair it if I actually knew what more would help. And the fact that I have stopped trying is a sign that I feel there's nothing more I can do and I am on to step 2: I just have to let it go.
I'll wait forever for the other person to use their agency to forgive, forget, and let go of their feelings and be cool with me. But I think I should give them their space and allow them to do that at their own pace and not try to force them to be cool with it.
Seriously, this has been one of the hardest things to learn. I really do love people--I love all people. I guess I just haven't mastered perfectly how to show my love individually. Any ideas or insight is always welcome.
Love, Sara
In high school was the first time I learned that I had offended someone close to me. Our coach noticed that another Mormon girl didn't attend early morning seminary, so she was always able to make practice on time. He asked me about it and said, "Aren't all good Mormons supposed to go to seminary?" I answered, "No. The only thing is probably that you have a little harder time getting into BYU if you don't."
Somehow my coach thought it would be funny to go up to this other Mormon girl (who was in my ward and my Laurel's class with me) and say, "Sara said you're not a good Mormon because you don't attend seminary."
You can see how 1) this was completely not what I said, and 2) how that would be completely offensive to the person to whom it was directed. After the damage was done, I tried to repair it by explaining to my coach that that wasn't a funny joke and that he needed to apologize to this girl and let her know that I actually did not say that.
Too late. You know those moments when you just get wedged into your head one idea and hardly anything will change your mind on it? Yeah, I think this is what happened to this girl. She never talked to me again. Ok I take that back. I think I saw her at the temple once right before my mission and she was there for a wedding. I think I got a "Hello."
So this event had a huge, huge impact on my life. See, for weeks, months, and arguably YEARS later, I tried to repair this damage that I felt like I didn't really cause. I saw the hurt, and I saw how valid she was in thinking that it emanated from me. I seriously tried everything: service, cute notes, going through mutual friends, treats, everything. For the first time in my life, I felt like a total utter failure.
But I learned one thing about relationships: SOME THINGS ARE OUT OF YOUR CONTROL. And when you come across one of those situations, there's really a two-step process: 1) You do everything in your power at the time to remedy the situation, and 2) You let it go and respect their agency.
I have been repeatedly reminded of this principle over and over again the last three month with many different people. Perhaps that shows my weakness--that I cannot solve my own problems effectively. But you know what? It is what it is. I am me, and I am trying my best and sometimes my best isn't good enough for people.
So for all you whom I have offended, again and again for the rest of my life and forever, I am deeply sorry and would gladly do anything else to try to repair it if I actually knew what more would help. And the fact that I have stopped trying is a sign that I feel there's nothing more I can do and I am on to step 2: I just have to let it go.
I'll wait forever for the other person to use their agency to forgive, forget, and let go of their feelings and be cool with me. But I think I should give them their space and allow them to do that at their own pace and not try to force them to be cool with it.
Seriously, this has been one of the hardest things to learn. I really do love people--I love all people. I guess I just haven't mastered perfectly how to show my love individually. Any ideas or insight is always welcome.
Love, Sara
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