Festival of Colors: Mission Accomplished

Aubs and I have had one common goal since last year about this time: go to the festival of colors. We could have gone last year...we thought about it, but decided we were "too tired" because we'd just come back from last year's St. George trip. A few hours later when a few of our friends came back from the festival, covered in color and dust, we decided there was no way we were going to miss out on that the next year. So. The time finally came, and baby, oh, baby, was it ever fun!! I lost a flip-flop, got battle wounds, and I think I'm still recovering from inhaling so much chalky colored crazy. :) But it was an absolute blast! Hello, new tradition every year until I move away from this valley of insanity. :) Alaina, you are already committed to coming with us next year. You may absolutely NOT be out of the country. Ya hear?? :)

I would also like to mention that we had to park and ended up hitch hiking the last few miles to get there. Had we lost our mode of transportation, you ask? Why, no. It's just that the whole world decided to go as well. Seriously, I've never seen a traffic jam in Spanish Fork, Utah, of all places, but there's a first time for everything, I guess! Honestly, I was too chicken to do it, and the guys were convinced no one would stop for them. (they were right) so Aubs, the brave/crazy one of the moment was our hitch-hiking hero of the day. :)

And mom: hitch hiking = we hopped in the back of kind people's trucks and then hopped back out again, one time on the way there, and one time on the way back. Each time as they came to a full and complete stop to let us out. I know that doesn't completely soothe your mind, but keep in mind that on the way back, I had only one shoe and...uhm...a battle wound...on my other foot. :) All healed now, but seriously...the 3 miles or so I would have had to walk like that? I love kind people with trucks. :)

Please also note the man in the orange spandex body suit. Only don't look too closely at him. Some people are so crazy it makes me laugh. Hehehe... we couldn't let a sight like that go unnoticed. That's like walking past all the crazies in San Fran the first time you see them. Must be documented at least once. :)

It's times like these that I wish I had a better camera, or the time/materials to further enhance the color insanity of this event, but..huh. I didn't. :) The end.

I found a baby I want.

 

Seriously.  Could I put in an order for a baby this cute?? If only it were that easy...  hahaha .....

I have this dear and wonderful friend named Greg.  He got married last week, and it was the happiest wedding reception I've been to in a long time.  Greg is one of those college friends I'll never forget, and it's for a lot of reasons.  Greg is pure goodness, but he could make us laugh like he was getting paid, but it was always for free.  :)  And he contributed to my all-time favorite spring break trip EVER; for which I will always be grateful.  Greg, kneecaps will always make me think of you.  :)  I'm so happy you found your other half.  :)

It was so much fun to be there and see everyone from the good 'ol Utah State days...these were the earlier days for me...people like Clark (also from that famed spring break trip) and Nicole...and all these people had their babies with them.  Their babies who looked JUST like them.  Only in miniature human form.  AH!  I love it!  I've met and cuddled Nikki's little Kate before, and she's a doll.  I love her.  But this was the first time I'd ever seen Clark's little guy other than in pictures, and I kind of wanted to sneak out and take him home with me.  Puh-lease bless I have one that's half this cute someday!  What a character, too!  Good job on that one, Clark and Tammy.  :)  

AND, just as we left, our good 'ol friend John (also from that winner spring break trip of all time) arrived, with his fiance of about an hour!!  YES!!  We love these guys to pieces; hilarious, but good to the core (okay, John, mostly...heheh...I kid, I kid) and to see them getting engaged, married, and having darling little babies (all in that order...whew...) just makes my heart sing for joy!  

BOSS road trippin' 2009 - danaubssicaura

 

Every year - since uh...last year - we, the bossy bosses of bossness go on a roadtrip to St. George to escape the gray sickness that is Utah about this time of year.  We claim it as the success of Dani and Dave, soon to be the Macfarlanes in June of 2009...and I'll swear by the trip's magical powers in person if you'd like.  Jess decided to call it the "Zion Trip" this year because she misses us.  (of course) Okay, we miss her too.  Maybe just a little bit.  :)

Just before we left that morning, we went and saw our friend Matt (okay, he's better friends with the other three than he is with me, but I think he's dang funny and wish I knew him better) on his "iStop"  (I like that name for it) before he goes to Iraq.  If you read the bodyworlds post I wrote before Christmas, you'll know who I'm talking about.  I'm mad I didn't know him sooner, but that's what I get for...yeah, I'm not sure what I did to deserve that.  :)  

There were far too many favorite moments this time, but the first one was probably the hotel we stayed at.  We stayed at the same one as last year, and it was perfect all over again, but for entirely different reasons.  :)  This year, we had the pleasure of sharing it with a few high school  baseball/softball teams.  (I know.  Yippeee....)  After an appropriately satisfying meal at RED LOBSTER, which we lovingly call "Rad Loster Fastage" (where we make Dani try at least one new seafood specimen each time...) we went back to the hotel, and Aubs and I prepared to take advantage of that hot tub.  Danz and Jess decided to come with us and just put their feet it.  Whatever.  Aubs and I were ready to take it on; but then we got outside and remembered the high schoolers.  Dang it.  :)  

Jess and Dani just stood there laughing at us, but Aubs and I forget ahead.   We wanted to sit in the hot tub!!  We're Bossy, right?  We can figure out how to get what we want!  We walked up the then empty hot tub, but some stinking lanky little boys ran into it just ahead of us, so we veered quickly away from it.  Strike one.  We could see Jess and Dani snickering off in their far, shadowy corner.  Snicker and sneer all you want, jeerers.  :)  Aubs and I just kept walking around the pool, and decided to stop for a bit.  These kids had to have some kind of curfew, right?  And it was getting later and later.  Well, we only had to stand there for another 10 minutes or so, and then we could tell they were all supposed to go in.  Stinking lanky boys jumped out of  the hot tub, and Aubs and I walked with speed and purpose to get there before anyone else.  I hate sharing hot tubs with strangers.  At least if I'm there first, I feel some territorial rights.  Hahah.  By this time, Dani and Jess figured we had a lost cause on our hands, so they'd gone back inside, thinking we would follow soon.  Don't worry.  The next time we saw them, it was when they came to put their feet in the hot, bubbling water.  VICTORY!!!  :)

We had a good 20 minutes or so...maybe 30, with just the four of us laughing about silly things, until a few more slightly older high school boys came and got in.  We put up with them for about 5 minutes, and then it was time.  Time to leave the children.  Jess was having "I don't like this because it feels like I'm hanging out with my students" issues, so that helped hurry us along.  :)  (They were valid issues, Jess.)  But the best part is yet to come.  Mehehehe....

One of my favorite parts about being friends with Aubs is that everyone always thinks she's 18 or 19.  I don't see it because I know her, but I get why strangers think that about her.  And I love it because it's constantly hilarious.  :)  We got back to our hotel room only to discover Aubs had left her charm bracelet out by the hot tub.  Dang it.  We'd already had to pass through a giant gathering/herd of teenagers with cat calls on our way back in to the hotel, and we'd have to pass that way again.  (As high school age kids, passing through there was a completely different feeling than us passing through there now, but it was still hilarious to be reminded of the mentality...hahha)  Keep in mind we're walking, quickly, through the thunderous herd this whole time...

As we passed through the first time:

skinny-blonde-boy-with-an-ego:  yells out "Hey, I lost my phone, will you call it??"

Aubs and I:  * snicker * Ignore.  Keep walking.  But laughing because that was actually a little bit funny.

...More random cat calls from the high schoolers...

We acknowledged their efforts, but gave no encouragement as we left.

As we passed through the second time:

skinny-blonde-boy-with-an-ever-increasing-ego: "Hey, I still can't find my phone!"

sbbwaeie's skinny jock friend w/a backwards baseball cap:  "My friend thinks you're hot."

Aubs: "Okay, seriously, we're a lot older than you guys."

sbbwaeie: something along the lines of "I like older girls"

Aubs: "No, really, guys.  We're like 10 years older than you."

sbbwaeie: "No way!  I thought you were like...19 or something..."

Oh, no he did not...  :)  Aubs and I looked at each other...you know how girls can do that?  And you know exactly what the other girl is thinking?  (Yes, we know you think we're the hot college chicks.  We are.  Just minus the college part.  Oh, boys.  Even though this is funny, your ego is mind-blowing; staggeringly hilarious!)

Aubs:  "Well, I'm not."

sbbwaeie is a little stunned for about 2.3 seconds, and then says: "That's okay!"

Aubs and I (at the same time, and laughing hysterically at this point: "NO IT'S NOT!"

By this time, we've turned the corner and are opening our hotel room door, and we're laughing, and the entire herd starts laughing at their slightly sheepish friends.  We closed the door, and laughing through our tears, told Dani and Jess the whole story.  * ah * it still makes me laugh just thinking about it!  Boys and their brains are so funny to me.  Thank you, heaven, for having a sense of humor.  :)

The rest of that night was filled with the reasons I love these three girls; it's everything from hilarious out-takes about dirt biking (if you know us at all, please tell me you laughed about the four of us going dirt biking.  Together.  On purpose...) to beautiful insights on life and the gospel and how to face the things we're each dealing with right now.  Any problem we might be having is simplified...two heads are better than one...now double that.  :)  I love this trip.  It's so much better than any class or workshop.  And a million times cheaper.  :)  

We found a WOW (wall of weddings) but that's another story for another day.  Just visit the St. George institute and you'll find it.  Priceless.  A giant sagebrush joined us for much of our trip home, "WATCH OUT, sagebrush!"  yells Jess.  And then it stuck.  :)  AND...let it be known that taking "laughing" pictures with Aubrey is one of my favorite things in this life.  There's so much more, but Jess wrote about some of that on her blog, so if you've already read hers about it, I'd hate to bore you.  :)  Until Boss roadtrip 2010.  We've discussed doing this until we're 50.  A book could easily be written about this.  It's that good.  :)

America is just not that into you...

I know. You thought this was going to be some kind of political statement from me. (hang on...do you even KNOW me??) Try to hide your disappointment. Trust me, it's best if I keep my thoughts about that to myself. :) BUT...If I were ever going to be a columnist of any kind, and if I were to ever write about...say...American Idol, I think my article would look similar to this one:http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29781589/

I think she and I would be kindred spirits. I'm just sayin. Now...if only I could find one that defining about our economic state. Or maybe about Mr. President. I wouldn't have nearly as much fun writing about that, but...I would get some enjoyment out of it. Until I thought more about it, that is....

Dear 24-hour:

I'm getting really sick of seeing this in my inbox:

Membership Special

Could you please stop? I'm very happy with my current gym situation. I've already tried your "unsubscribe" link. Multiple times. So could you get on that? The stopping thing?

Most Sincerely,
DeeAura E Thompson

...


In other news, I've found myself really missing this sight - and the sounds that go with it. :)

GO AGGIES!

I just laughed so hard...

This picture was taken 2 years ago. But about every few months since then, I'll be living my life, going from day to day, and suddenly this picture will pop in my head, and I find myself putting my head in my hands at my desk and laughing hysterically (as quietly as possible, of course...) reliving Michelle's face....(don't be mad, Chelle! I freaking LOVE you AND this picture.) Aubs and were just trying to show off our shirts, and Michelle, of course...oh my gosh, I can't even write about it without laughing!

Reason #1 I am so glad I went to Utah State instead of...say...BYU. :)

SPRING BREAK!!!

How the heck do they do it? That little break in the middle of winter when you could actually go somewhere warm or spend a week NOT worrying about school (instead of just blowing it off like I see some students do down here in happy valley)...that recoup time was priceless. Priceless, I say!

** P.S. I love BYU as well. Don't take my love of spring break to equal a dislike for BYU.

This year's St. George road trip coming soon. Over.

...Money, money, money...

Heheh...oh, funny. :) And yet again...wait. Dang it.

Anybody have a 2x4? This should probably be pounded into my head on at least a weekly basis. (The concept, not the actual 2x4....) Don't worry. I'm totally working on it. *ahem*


P.S. If for some reason you can't see the video, go here.

Meatloaf gives me hearburn. ALWAYS.

Please read this:

http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/03/idol-wild-card.html

It expresses my current outrage. Say what you want about your favorite people on American Idol this season, but I'm currently SPEWING DISGUST. Really. I'm spitting fire. So sue me! I watch this show! I love it! It makes me mad sometimes, but there's always at least one person with rockin' vocals that I get some legitimate joy out of listening to.

I'm actually excited about hearing from Alexis Grace

and Allison Iraheta.

I think they both rock, and they're not weird to watch. Unlike "others" who will, unfortunately, continue to speak for themselves on that matter...

I'm ANGRY...no. LIVID that Felicia Barton didn't even get a wildcard...but freaking Tatiana Del Toro did??? I really just threw up all over everywhere.

But back to the "top 3" from tonight...Lil Rounds?? SCOTT MACINTYRE????? Should I NAME the others from the last two weeks??? ARGH! The back-stories this season require words I refuse to even think further about. I don't care if your mother's best friend's neighbor's multi-cultural daughter died or went blind or lives in poverty...if you can't sing the socks off me, get off the singing show!!! This, of course, is not just the voter's fault. Or just the judges fault. Or even necessarily the fault of the singer who isn't doing well. Dear American Idol producers: I would very much like to rip your kneecaps off right now!!!

If you think I'm overreacting, you should have SEEN my roommate Dani when David Archuletta didn't win last season. She had to leave and take a walk. She was that angry.

*SIGH* I have to go watch LOST now. That'll make me feel better. I'll come back later when I've been sufficiently submerged in the world of Sawyer and Jack. Over. and OUT.

Question of the day: Could you do this?

I just watched this video and was so impressed with her answers and her obvious dedication to finding out why she believes what she does. In our world today, just as in times past, I think it is so incredibly important for each of us to do the same: find out why we believe the things we do, and continue to live them to the fullest. I also loved her respect for other religions and belief-systems. She's definitely a small example of things I hope I am, or hope to be. (Okay, so I never went to Harvard...I'm not talking about that part!) It's 20 minutes long, but it goes by quickly, and it's so nice to see a group of people speaking sense rather than anger and refusing to understand one another. Happy Wednesday!

Day of Faith: Personal Quests for a Purpose - 3. Rachel Esplin from Harvard Hillel on Vimeo.