duck 2010

Base Tan Weekend year 3 has been fantastic. Having Duck Beach as the back drop to a girls' beach weekend was really fun and I'm glad we could all experience Duck Beach together for the first time.
What is it about the salt water/ sand/ wind combo that makes your hair look so awesome? I love beach hair! (P.S. I have like a hundred takes on this photo trying to minimize the cleavage-- this is not a pornographic blog!)

Have you ever seen 26 YSAs get caught in a rip tide then need rescuing from 6 lifeguards? It's quite spectacular. It was probably their punishment for beaching on the Sabbath. Lol.

Few things beat a beach picnic.

I make every effort to enjoy my firm's swag whenever possible.

I really love this hat I purchased for my trip. It also saved my face from repeating the sun burn disaster from April.

There were these creepy white crabs all over the place. They're called ghost crabs and they're really really fast. Sometimes we'd see one during the day, but apparently there are a ton of them out at night. And apparently if you drop several in a cooler together things quickly deteriorate into a cage match.

A perfect six-person jumping pic. Tell me you're impressed. Our friend James was taking the pic and shared with us his theory that only mormon girls like jumping pics. I'm still deciding how true I think that is.

"OBX" for the Outer Banks. Well, actually it's "ObX" in this photo.

Kirst, RZ, me. So glad we could all get together. Although K-Hill was dearly missed.

Twin jumping pic.

We spent a lot of time taking photos. Clearly.

Strolling the three blocks to the beach.

There was a lot of food in the kitchen. I mostly lived off Nutella, pictured.

RZ serving. The volleyball tournament brought everyone together to the same beach. It was so crowded and so fun. And RZ's a fantastic volleyball player.

Beach time is perfect for self reflection.

And people watching. And gossiping. And tanning. And napping. And swimming.

welcome to 929 corolla drive

With 21 men and women staying in this beach house, things could get a little crazy. Let's hope they do. :)

sometimes

We have alternative FHE, in my hot tub.

new high, or new low?

New high or new low: buying Lady Gaga tickets ten months in advance for a show out of town during busy season? It's on a Saturday, I'm sure I'll be able to swing it. :) Besides, how could I 1) not see her in concert, and 2) not see her with Kirst and Linds? I couldn't. Clearly.

Ga-ga-ooh-la-la.

that's senior associate, to you

I got the official partner call Friday afternoon letting me know I would indeed be promoted to senior associate, official July 1. But who wants to wait until July to reward herself for a promotion at work? Certainly not me, especially with the AmEx gift card from a few posts ago burning a hole in my pocket.

I'm not really a watch person, but have been loving the white ceramic watches all over. Now, thanks to Michael Kors and Nordy's, I can check one more item off the list of accessories every girl should own. It's beautiful, right?

i have my saturdays back

I didn't have to work this Saturday, and I did so many things instead. Mostly running errands and cleaning, but that is my fav way to spend a Saturday. Here I am at the farmer's market with Jon after step. My game plan for Saturday AM for oh the next 8 months or so.

Breakfast was hash browns with eggs and thick cut bacon from Northwest Heritage Farms. Best bacon ever. I bought some of their sausage to eat at home this week. My breakfast beverage was unpasteurized cherry-apple cider. Umm, what?

i heart mom

I have a really great mother. And, my mom is one of my best girlfriends. It's a killer combination. She always knows what to say, and she never tires of having to say it. I have learned so many things from my mom, and will highlight some of the best lessons right now.

• The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of my mother is compassion. She has taught me to love, to forgive, and to have compassion for others. This lesson has been taught again and again through example.
• My mother taught me to be kind. Once, I was having a really hard time getting along with a girl in my second grade class. I was friends with everyone in the class, but this one girl really got on my nerves. I was venting to my mom, and she pointed out some things that made this girl's life very difficult. She suggested that maybe I had known this girl before this life, and we knew her life was going to be really hard, and I had promised her that I would find her and be her friend. And wouldn't I feel awful if I didn't end up keeping that promise? That casual, after-school conversation has really affected me.
• My mother taught me to love reading and to love learning-- in and out of school. She would read to us every night before bed, and help us with all of our school assignments. I can neither confirm nor deny that homework help continued into grad school.
• My mother taught me how to cook, clean, properly set a table, and host a lovely party. Our home was always clean, neat, welcoming, and open. We have always had room for visitors, regardless of the size of our home or budget. I can remember one of her young women who got kicked out of her house when she got pregnant living with us. Giving her a room involved my brother, sister, and I sharing one bedroom in our tiny little home. I have so many memories of random people at our house for holidays. Sometimes I really hated it and didn't want to entertain weird so and so instead of just having fun with my family. Sometimes I still do hate it, but my mother would never let inconvenience or a tantrum from me keep her from making a lonely someone feel welcome and loved in our home.
• Last of all, the most important thing my mother has taught me is to love my savior, Jesus Christ. She has taught me to listen to the spirit, and seek after the truths of the gospel. I have watched my mother perform hours and hours of church service. I have discussed gospel principles with her over and over again. She has taught me the importance of faith and obedience.

There are many other women who have played a mothering role in my life. I appreciate them, and I aspire to be like them. Happy Mothers' Day to them all!

new high, or new low?

I find myself asking this question quite often. It doesn't seem like the kind of thing one should find herself confused about, but I'm suspicious I'm not alone in this type of quandary. So why not post these questions to my blog as they present themselves in my life? Here is phase one, with many more to follow I'm sure.

New high or new low: setting the table (plates, napkins, forks, etc. all in place like mother taught you) for my audit team as we take a break for dinner and gather in a conference room to eat? It's just like family dinner, except totally not.