Weekend

You are about to read the story of my stellar weekend:

I have never been a hugeCali fan, you know? Like never have I been one of those people who was like, "OH MY GOSH I LOVE CALI!! LET'S GO THERE ALL THE TIME!!" ...Yeah. No. That has never been  the case for me, I've always been like, "Oh. Sure yeah I'll go to Cali." BUT. This weekend, when I went on my random venture with my lady friends, I have come to love Cali. (keep in mind, love does not mean crazy obssessed, it means I have finally seen Cali for some of it's greatness that I had previously not seen)

My friends, Emma, Miranda, Hannah, and myself, left for our adventure to visit my best love Lars at school. (she's really cool and plays tennis for Chapman University, no big deal.) And from the get-go it was an amazing trip; we had killer tunes all the way up and played MASH (yeah. what cha gonna do.) And the family we stayed with was so bomb, as soon as we got to the house we were staying at, the mother (later known as California Mom) ran out of the house and shouted "You're here!! I was so worried about you all!!" (keep in mind, we did not know this woman) She basically became one of my favorite people ever. So sweet and so nice and they fed us Eggo waffles and we didn't have to pay them a thing. I am forever grateful for my California family.

So we get there. Naturally the firs thing we do is go to the beach.

Miranda,

Emma,

and I,

were very very happy to be there, even though the water was unbearably cold. But we couldn't help at least saying hello to our mother ocean! After which we visited old-town Orange County where we met up with Hannah and her brother Loren and ate a Bruxies. WARNING: if you ever eat at Bruxies be prepared for an amaxing taste sensaiton as well as sublime happiness filling your soul. I mean it is the most unique place I have ever been to eat. EVER. I'd tell you what it is but...the only way to accurately describe it is...it's waffle sandwiches. I will say no more. Just go. You will be so happy.

Our California house with our Californiss family was only ten minutes away from Disneyland...so naturally we couldn't not go!! And so BAM. Disneyland. And if there is one thing I have learned about me and my relation ship with Disneyland is that I am a child. It's true. And I dont mean age wise. I mean like evry time I saw Princess Tiana this weekend (meaning everytime I saw the beautiful lady who pretended to be Princess Tiana) I had a little freak out in my heart and openly squealed out loud. And everytime I saw a ride I had flooded memories of how stinking much I adore thisa place. And every time I heard a familiar Disney song, I started dancing which is totally unacceptable because I can't dance! I get that everyone feel a wee bit childish and kid-like at Disneyland, how can you not, but OH BOY. I had the greatest time. And we had the best luck. (and I meant hat honestly because what I am about to say may not seem very lucky, but it made our day fly by so smoothly and made it THE BEST) We broke down 5 rides! Here's the break down of our breakdowns:

1. Pinoccio: So here we are in Fasntasyland loving all of the generous splendor and magic that Disney offers and we are just going along in our little cart through Pinoccio and stoppage...lights turn on....intercom sounds tell us the ride has broken down! Normally people would be super bummed right? But no. This made us so giddy and happy because we had to walk through the whole ride to get out! The lady told all of us not to touch anything as we waalked out...so natually Emma and Miranda touched everything and it made my soul fill with delight.

2. Haunted mansion: Now, you may or may nmot count this one but I do. So we went through all of Haunted Mansion and were on the "doom buggee" going out (like the hitch-hiking ghosts part) and stoppage...the ride was having some slight problems so we didn't walk out unfortunately, but it still dtopped for about 4 minutes! So I counted it. We stopped the ride.

3. The Disney train: So this one kinda doesn't count either BUT we still stopped. So we were resting on the little train that runas around the whole park and we slowly came to a stop. At this point we were like "Oh my gosh we are cursed!" BUT it hasd nothing to do with us, the train in front was just WAY slow...however it still had some stoppage for a brief amount of time and therefore it counts.

4. It's A Small Wolrd: This one was great. So we were getting on it around the same time as the fireworks show started so naturally we were byummed that we wouldn't get to see it. BUT as soon as we sat down in our little boat to go, no moveage... they then told us that there were some technical difficulties and we were welcome to stay and wait in the boat but it'd be about 15 mintues before it got moving again. So we waited and got to watch the beginning part of the show and came out of the ride  (once it got moving again) right at the finalle (for those who do not know, the fireworks show is rather right next to It's a Small Wolrd)

5. Indiana Jones: MY FAVORITE BREAKDOWN. We got on the ride quick thanks to our handy dandy fast passes and went along super swell (I love Indiana Jones, it's my favorite) when crazy-shaky-maddness-stoppage...the lights came on...and we sat there as all the tech men came and checked out our vehicle. As it turns out, our exact car was the one that caused the ride to stop. SO, in conclusion, we got to get a free re-ride (WOOT) AND...wait for it...we got to walk out of the ride!! AH!! Unfortuantely we didn't get to walk through the huge main part (they said it would ruin the magic which I can totally respect that) BUT we did walk through the beginning area and it looked something like this:

Miranda and I in bad quality lighting but reveling in awesomeness. Photo by Emma.

So some my say "wow that really sucks" but oh contrare my naive friend! It was super exciting and just what us AZ ladies needed for an exciting weekend of adventure.

(favotite Disney candy!)

And they tripped Happily Ever After

Liberty

So I work at a fancy little place called Libert Market (you may or may not have ever heard of it) and I just wanna take a minute and share my love for that splendid place. My job at Liberty is fully creditted to Rae Crozier (my lovely friends whom I often call mum) who told me of openings and I naturally was like "man my job sucks right now so lets take a whack at it" and BAM job. Done. Love it. Thanks Rae.

I gotta say that the people I work with are fabulous, and it's like we have a wee little family! Every one has a different but warm personality and it makes going to work enjoyable. If I didn't like my coworkers, honestly, I would quit. Bbut that is unnecessary cause I love them all SO MUCH. Every one is so funny and even when I come to work with a not-so-hot attitude, I end up laughing and smiling cause we are all so...AWESOME. Gosh I just love it.

I understand that this wee little post about how great my job is and how I love all of my fellow employers is random but I can't help it! My good friend Kylie finally got herself a job up at BYU and while we celebrated (in two different states mind you) I couldn't help by feel overwhelming gratitude for my current job and that even though I don't have any bills to pay, I am so grateful for the work I have.

Also. Brief segway. ALL of the food at Liberty Market is DELICIOUS. All of it. I cannot tell a lie. Love my job. Love my food. Love Liberty.

Delicious Margarita pizza

Spanish Love

LOVE.

In the spirit of Valentine's Day being yesterday. I have another fun story coming to you form Downtown Phoenix. Prepare to be thrilled.

SO. I was riding the lovely light rail home with my lab friend Jenny (we figured that we might as well make friends with each other since we are in the same lab and ride home together on the light rail and it's much safer to ride with a buddy, right? Exactly.) We were just chatting along and then (like clock work) we have to get off the light rail by Sky Harbor Airport and wait for the train behind us to get us (I say like clockwork because EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT, without fail, the train we get on always goes back to the station after the Airport station, meaning it doesn't go through the whole ride).

SO. Jenny and I wait and while we are waiting we meet a pal named Ryan (maybet thats his name?). We were just socializing along, getting to know each other while we waited and then this big, tall, dark man comes up to me and says, "Parle vu Francais?" I giggled and said, "Oh no I'm sorry." and the conversation goes:
Man: "Oh no?"
Me: "Nope."
Man: "You weren't speaking a different language?"
Me. "Nope. Just English."
Man: "Oh I thought you were. Are you from England?"
Me: "Um. No?"
Man: "Oh really? You look like Margret Smith you know, like you could be from England."
*ok, first, who is Margret Smith? Second, what? I look English cause I'm white? Sir I am confused.*
Me: "Oh. hehehehe well I'm American."
Man: "Oh ok. Well look I have this for you!"
*gives me one of the mysterious bags of stick things he has been holding*
Me: "For me?"
Man: "Yes smell it!"
*it's drugs isn't it. Oh gosh.*
Me: "Uh....oh that's strong!"
Man: "Oh yes! That's Spanish Love!!"

Turns out. He was selling me inscense for a dollar. I had no dollar. BUT Ryan (the fella previously mentioned) did. And he bought two packets, by force. Jenny, the entire time, looked away and totally checked out; thanks pal! Ah man. It was a good time. I got a spcial gift from a guy I had just met who bought it from a man who tried to originally sell it to me... Well. That's love for you. Spanish love. In the form of the 70s. Mmmm. Inscense... My car still smells like it. Woot.

Downtown

I love Downtown Phoenix. I know what you're thinking:

"Zo. That's gross. There's homeless people and prostitutes there."


And you would be right. Yes. Yes there are. But I feel like such a boss!! My 18-year-old self struttin' her stuffs in the city with my head held high and my anatomy books in tow. I ride the light rail every morning and night; BY. MY. SELF. I just feel like such a big girl! And it's like "OOOOO my time of brief independence!" Seriously though. Downtown I can navigate myself where ever, go shopping at Urban (my poor POOR wallet), and just rock it in the city. Essentially, it's my replacement for not going away to college...

I was originally gonna head away to good ol' Logan Utah for school with some girl friends and we were gonna take over Utah State Uni. But. That pesky spirit sent me a prompting that I shouldn't leave and I had to explore my options here and stay at home. Devastation. I was like "Are you serious?" And he was like "Yep. Logan, Utah? FORGET ABOUT IT!!" (said like Cake Boss)   *angry grumbles*      I listened though. Which is why I'm still here. But that spirit sure knows his stuff. Despite my previous bitterness I'm so grateful to be here, to still be working at my fabulous job, to have a comfty bed and a full belly, so thanks. Even though I didn't wanna hear what you had to say.

I digress

Back to Downtown

I know I'm a silly wee lass for thinking this but I dunno. I CAN'T HELP IT.

The other day for example. I was walking back to campus from eating yummy lunch at Chipotle (Oh. Chipotle.) and this older African American man walks out of this barber shop that I was passing (I only add his race because it helps to understand how he was talking to me which is why this story is so great). So I say him and he say me and I'm not a rude person so I gave a friendly, polite smile to him and then BOOM. He starts talking to me. The conversation wen something like this and for the purposes of entertainment, we will call him Leon:

Leon: "OH boy! Now that's much better sweatheart!!"
Me: "Excuse me?"
Leon: "When you walking with that straight face of yours people passing see that you pretty. But when you SMILE at the m child, that's when they see that you beautiful!!"
*oh gosh*
Me: [polite laugh] "Well in that case I will smile forever."
Leon: "Yeh, that's betta. Now what's a girl li' you doin' down here."
*I'm in jeans and a collared shirt wearing floral flats and a bun. I'm obviously a floosy looking for some weed. Silly goose*
Me: "Oh I go the ASU campus down here."
Leon: "Oh well that's god girl! What you learnin'"
Me: "I'm studying nursing."
Leon: "Very good child, so you gonna help people who need help."
Me: [pleasant chuckle] "Yep, that's the plan at least."
Leon: "You know what you should do girl."
Me: "What's that?"
Leon: "You should teach people. The idea of going to school is to help people. You could teach people about the ways to be healthy cause when you naturaly healthy everything is betta! Like you tell people they can improve they sex life they gon listen to ya!"     *please oh please don't go pervert on me Leon*   [Leon smokey laugh] "The idea that you leanr is that you teach others that they can help themselves. Leanr what you can so tha way you can help others and they can learn and better themselves through you."

Liiiiight Baaalb! Leon just shared a small piece of profound wisdom. He was so great. And kind. The people down here ARE crazy. I'm not at all saying they aren't. But good golly the are so fun!! Yes the 11 total of school and commuting is a pain but it's a wee adventure mate! And I do love me a grand adventure.