Loving me some John

Ok - let's start this post by saying I LOVE Jennifer Aniston. Love, love, love. Favorite actress of all time, hands down. Don't try to have the "every movie she makes does horribly" conversation with me either, cause you won't win. I won't change my mind. Love is love. I haven't seen a Brad Pitt movie since the divorce - enough said. I say this because knowing my love for Jen you may wonder, how I could also love John Mayer? Basically no one should believe Jen is sad over this break up - yeah right. Look at her, she is fine. Secondly, obviously John is confused about love - just listen to his wonderfully depressed music. She is better off.

Now that I have cleared that up, on to the point...

Back in February, my sweet Ben bought us John Mayer tickets. I was more than ecstatic and immediately the countdown to March 30th began. Every couple weeks I would remind him it was coming and he would have me double check that the tickets were still in place. I put my John playlist on repeat and spent my work hours listening to John Mayer lyrics until FINALLY the day came! Let me just say - he did not disappoint. What an amazing artist he is. It was exactly how I would picture a John Mayer concert - a guy, his guitar, his awesome voice and incredible musicians surrounding him. I could have listened to them all night. My favorite part was when he came out all alone and sang some faves, just him and his guitar - perfect.

I should also note that John thanked the audience quite a few times for purchasing tickets and supporting his music. That doesn't always happen - I was very impressed. How about little sampling for your listening pleasure.... maybe you'll understand my obsession.

Jumping Into A New Age... Literally.

This year, given my feelings as previously posted about getting older, I wanted to do something completely insane for my birthday. My first initial thought was skydiving, then as Deneal and I were talking (she has a birthday 10 days after mine) we decided that maybe the proper way to celebrate our special days would be to jump off a bridge! (To show our true feeling about getting older while attached to a bungee of course). I told Dan and Shannon our plan and they were more than enthusiastic to join. And so it was, we made plans on Labor Day to each jump off a 480 foot bridge, TWICE, in Amboy, WA. This is not something I would normally do, so to save myself from losing my mind I actually just didn't think about it to the days leading up to it. I honestly had no anxiety until I stood on the bridge filling out liability paperwork and had to check yes or no to questions that read "Would you like an open casket?" or "Would you like to be cremated?". Yeah - not funny. But I was already there, I committed and come what may I was doing it.

Because of my shortness I had to use a different bungee than the rest of the group and therefore, had to go last. I wasn't sure if watching everyone first would be a good or bad thing but there wasn't much of a choice. The process goes like this, you climb over a small fence to the platform, you turn around they count down 3...2...1.. and you jump - superman style. They are very particular about this with good reason. They say if you give yourself enough time up there to reason you will have a really hard time jumping. Instead, you just jump as to not let sanity get the best of you! :) The superman style is to make sure that your head is fat enough away from the bungee so you don't get hit in the face. Once you do your first jump they pull you back up and it's time for the second jump... backwards. Let's be honest these are probably the most nervous smiles you have ever seen.

Dan went first, He did awesome and because he had done this once before he got to try a "special" jump where you run and jump off the opposite side and do sort of a sling shot move. Yeah, now that's insane! Next was Shannon. Shannon was nervous and if you know Shannon you know that although she is adventurous and always up something new, bungee jumping was probably not her first choice. But, this was an exciting adventure and something to check off her bucket list. She did get a little bit of a fat lip from her first jump and although she was worried about her teeth she went for jump number 2. Look at her down there, THAT is how far you fall. Whoa...Next up, Deneal. She had to clear her head a little and did not want to hear a word Shannon said as she was coming up. After the bungee was attached, she went for it. She yelled, "I love this" on jump number 1, backwards jump number 2, however, she was not a fan of.Then it was me. I had to take a moment to find my inner strength, peace, insane woman, I don't know what I was trying to find, I think I was just praying my heart out that I would survive. Then after I explained the "rules of jumping" back to the jump instructors and making them promise me again and again that they had double and triple checked my bungee I started the climb over the fence. I have to be honest... climbing this little fence off the side of a bridge in the rain and stepping onto a tiny platform 480 feet above a slow moving creek is TERRIFYING! I went as slow as I could and felt it necessary to tell the instructor that "I am not a strong fence climber". Which is true! Alas I made it to the platform. Looked the guy in the eyes ONE more time and asked if I would be ok. He nodded his head. My legs were visibly shaking and I thought to myself as I turned around, "I better jump when they say 1 or there is NO way I am jumping off this bridge." At that point my body and my brain were saying, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?" Well, this is what happened...

Here are some pictures in case you have no interest in watching video of a person flinging themselves off the side of a bridge...

After they hoisted me up, it was time for round 2. BACKWARDS! Oh man, I really had to find some inner strength for this one. No one in their right mind jumps off a bridge forward, LET ALONE backward!

But, with the same technique, I made them promise I would be ok, they counted and I knew jump now, or never.

SUPER happy I survived!

And VERY relieved to be on the other side, not positive that the last 15 minutes really just happened.

Well, that's it - I jumped off a bridge to celebrate my new age and I lived! I think it's going to be an awesome year! Would I do it again? Absolutely, now I get a discount. Was it the scariest thing I have ever done? Yes, without question the scariest thing, but I must also mention that flying through the air at 68mph is an INCREDIBLE feeling. I can honestly say I have never felt anything like it. High fives all around, good job guys!

This Letter Goes Out To...

Dear Sprinklers,

Please stop hitting my new car. I am really nervous that the spots that you create will ruin my new paint and its stressing me out.

Respectively,
I really need a garage


Dear New Car,

I love you. I love you in indescribable and pathetic ways. I am so glad I bought you. Your navigation has really come in handy and your sunroof has made driving so enjoyable. Thank you for bringing love into my life!

XO,
Obsessed with my new car


Dear Ed,

If you did, in fact, cheat on Jillian then you are an idiot.

Signed,
Keeping my eye on you


Dear Kenneth Cole Sales Guy,

Thank you for introducing me to my new pair of shoes and telling me “I just had to have them”. Thank you for shrieking in inaudible tones, that only dogs can hear, when I tried on that skirt I wish I would have bought. Thank you for saying I am tiny and bringing me a dress two sizes too small to try on even though I KNEW it wasn’t going to fit. It was a valiant effort and you made me feel good.

Sincerely,
I’ll be back for more

Dear A/C,

I never knew you were in such few houses until I moved to Oregon, but I am very glad you are a part of my life. I feel bad for my friends who can’t sleep because it’s 110 degrees. I feel bad that the city is in a state of panic because of the heat and I am sitting in my office with a blanket and a space heater. Thank you A/C for keeping me cool and sane.

Respectfully,
My toes may have frostbite


Dear Australia,

I can’t wait to meet you! I really need a vacation and I am positive you will be the perfect fit! I hope when I come home I have incorporated words such as “mate”, “bloke” and “bikkie” into my vocabulary.

Signed,
Only 2 more days!


Dear Decisions,

You are my nemesis. Why are there so many of you that are good that I have to choose between? You make it very difficult when you present me with wonderful options and say I can only have one. That’s like asking me to choose a favorite ice cream flavor or a favorite movie. I never choose favorites, but can I give you my top 5?

Sincerely,
Still trying to decide


Dear Data Phone,

I think you may have taken over my life and it’s a bit overwhelming. Email, phone, text, IM, blogging, Facebook and a google search all just one click away has made me a little too connected – yet, I have no intention of letting you go.

Signed,
Wishing your battery lasted longer


Dear Bing.com,

I love you for your commercials (hilarious really), but your search engine is sub-par in my opinion. I don’t like the look and although you tell me I am getting more information, I feel like I am getting less. Sorry, I can’t jump on this train!

Respectfully,
Sticking to Google

(This idea came from Aimee who has such a great blog!)

The Troll Under The Bridge

My mom took trip to Seattle this weekend I was able to meet her up there. It was a quick trip, but lots of fun! We had the most amazing dinner on the water with such a beautiful view of the city, my mom was able to experience was it feels like to live without the sun and we found a big troll living under a bridge! Oh my heck, we searched high and low for this guy! Dan told me about it and my mom and I knew we just had to find it. I fall into the category of people who refuse to ask for directions because I believe that I have a superior set of navigation skills. Needless to say, we didn't find the troll until the second day of the trip! But we found him! The Troll under the bridge is made out of concrete and he has a (real) VW bug under his left hand. My mom loved the troll and was even more interested in the fact that there were people living behind the troll under the bridge.I wanted to sit by his nose, so I climbed up onto his hand - Oh so fun!It's always an adventure when we get together. Thanks for a fun trip Mom!

Seeing Never Looked So Smart

My age has caught up with me. No, this is not a post about more gray hair. I still only have one and it is sufficently covered. The time has come when I can no longer look at a computer screen for 9 hours straight without getting a headache. My eyes have graduated to the next stage of life... glasses.

Luckily, I actually still have pretty good vision, but because I work in front of the computer most of the day my eyes were getting strained and the glasses are supposed to (soon to be proven) allow my eyes to relax. Not to mention that I went a whole year without an injury and my FSA money was really burning a hole in my pocket! So here they are, don't I look smart?! Maybe I can use these to intimidate my competition if I ever get on Jeopardy or run for President.

Braving The Elements

Join me as I brave the elements to go to Shannon and Dan's to make a snowman. Not a lot of people go out while it is snowing in Portland, obviously since church was cancelled, but I think a little part of me wanted to prove that I could do it. You'll have to excuse the awful camera work, but it sure was an adventure! (Assuming you have 5 minutes, watch the clips in order. I couldn't upload them all as one because it was too big.)









When I finally arrived we all bundled up, including Chompers, and headed out to make a snowman! Normally Chompers won't let me hold her, but I think since we were wearing matching jackets she thought we could be friends. The snow was pretty dry, but Dan had a great idea to use a spray bottle to make the snow stick. Meet our snowman, Frank! He has chalk for his nose, drawer handles for eyes and fresh picked blueberries for a mouth. It sure is fun when everything is cancelled for a snow day. Everyone in Utah is really missing out!

Lights, Camera, CHRISTMAS

I love Christmas lights, I LOVE the zoo... now imagine combining the two of them and you have Christmas ZOO LIGHTS fun!

Myself, Dan, Shannon, Shelby, Jon, Christen, Jason and the kids braved the crowds and the freezing temperatures to bask in the wonderfulness of the Oregon Zoo. They had really fun lights AND I got to see tigers! Seriously, I wish I could have gotten a picture of them (it was too dark) because they are so huge! I could see their breath in the air though (cause it was cold) and I felt like we were so close that they could have jumped out and eaten me!! I loved it! Other than that, most of the animals were sleeping so I think I definitely need to go back. The zoo + lights was a very fun way to start off the Christmas season.

"My Heart Will Go On..."

Tonight was my lucky night! A friend of mine got Celine Dion tickets, in a party suite, and invited me to go along.

Celine is AAaawwwESOME! Her show is so incredibly amazing and entertaining. I didn't realize I would love her show so much, but everything - even down to her jewelry with wardrobe changes - were fabulous.

As I was enjoying the concert I realized something very important. I think if Celine and I knew each other we would be great friends! Aside from her being amazingly talented and six feet tall we are almost the same! I think this for the following reasons:
- She made a bird noise on stage. I also make bird noises!
- She changed her clothes 6 times during the show, I also like changing my clothes!
- She has AWESOME shoes! I also like shoes.
- She dances really well. I dance, but not well.
- She has a microphone stand studded in diamonds. If I had a microphone stand, it would most definitely be covered in diamonds!
- She fist pumps at the end of a log note - hilarious!
- She sang a song in French, if I was a man I would have fallen in love right there.

Apparently when you are sitting in a suite at the Rose Garden they don't allow flash photography or video cameras. Ok, first of all... weird. Second of all... anyone who knows me knows that being without my camera makes me extremely anxious. ESPECIALLY when I am at a Celine Dion Concert! Needless to say, I didn't get any pictures on my camera, but here are a couple from my phone.


If you ever get a chance, definitely see her show!

Buffalo Princess!

What do you call a girl who can eat her fair share of really spicy wings? Buffalo Princess!

On Saturday night Deneal, Jessyca and I went to a buffalo wings restaurant with some friends in the ward. After eating wings that were too hot, getting car sick, almost being abducted by a ghost on a motorcycle and laughing the entire time I can honestly say that being a buffalo princess isn't too bad!

Such a fun night guys, thanks!

Attack of the Birds!

Ok, that was over dramatized, but tonight we watched as hundreds of Swift's made a home in the small chimney of a school. Swifts are the most aerial of birds and look similar to Swallows, but apparently are a member of the hummingbird family. As they migrate every year they spend about 3 weeks sleeping in a chimney in downtown Portland. Every night hundreds of birds gather together and funnel into this chimney while hundreds of people sit on a hill for a couple hours, eat dinner and watch the show. Here are some pictures, but you must know that the pictures don't do the whole production justice. There were birds everywhere, it was crazy and a little bit frightening knowing that at any moment one may need to go to the bathroom. Don't worry - we came out clean!

All the little black dots, those are birds
Here they are beginning to funnel in

And a short video for your viewing pleasure


Also notable, I wore the shoes tonight that Shannon and Dan gave to me for my birthday! They are TDF(To Die For). I love them, thanks again guys!

Wakeboarding

I can't tell you how many times I have been boating, but have never tried wakeboarding. This is mostly because my rational told me I would be absolutely terrible at wakeboarding. So why waste the time of these nice people who are actually good at the sport (is it a sport?). Well, on Friday Shannon and I went camping with some friends who have a boat and multiple wakeboards. They were insistent that I give in and give it a try, promising that they would be patient as I learned. Turns out, I am not as terrible as I thought I would be. It took me about 4 tries to get up and I took some pretty crappy falls before I learned the art of standing on the water, but I did it! It was fun too! I couldn't quite figure out the getting all the way across the wake stuff, but one thing at a time. I was just ecstatic that I actually got up, yeah - me - Amber - the klutz of all klutz's who fell mountain biking, who runs because it takes no coordination, held onto a rope behind a boat and stood up. I rock. I even have pictures to prove it.

This face means - "Holy Crap I got up!"


This face means - "Dude, I totally got this!"


This is Shelby in the air - she actually does rock.


And my favorite part of the whole trip - Shannon forgot to put on sunscreen so by the end of the day she had to shield herself from the sun under a towel. Poor red Shannon!


Thank you to Shelby, John, Christen and Jason for taking us out on your boat! It was such a fun time!

***I would also like to note that people in Oregon go boating on rivers. This is really weird to me because my association of a river is one like Provo River. You can try and try, but you are NOT boating down Provo river. I am so used to boating in lakes and reservoirs that I couldn't even wrap my head around boating in a river?! Chalk that up to another weird Oregonism.