Dear Magic 8 Ball

Thankfully I registered for a Magic 8 ball for a wedding gift. And thankfully my crazy friend Kathryn got it for us. :) (thanks girl) So the other day I asked it a very important question.

"Will I ever find a job again?" (I've been starting to wonder)

Thank you Magic 8 Ball! At least someone (thing) has faith in me!

Here's hoping it's right.

In other news, here's my adventure update:

We have on the schedule:
-Going to a pumpkin patch and getting apple cider
-Going to a special poetry reading
- General Conference
- (maybe) Zion National Park
- That Swiss town we found
- AND another trip to the Planetarium.

Also, I have begun to volunteer! I'm so excited for what I have found. For the past two weeks I have been training to become a Rape Crisis Team member. The training has been intense and interesting. But basically what it will entail will be that once a month I will be on call for 48 hours. During this time I will either get hotline calls where I'll listen to victim's stories and help them or I'll get hospital calls to go help a recent rape victim during her/his Code R exam and such. Or both. It's a unique opportunity to be in the thick of the situation and to really help out. So I'm excited.

Sunday Drive

 

Went on a little Sunday drive through the Canyon to see the pretty colors. 

 

It's no New England fall drive I'm sure, seeing as we have many more coniferous trees, but still, I was impressed. And honestly, last weekend there was even more color. The best part though was spending time with Buck. I love to drive around, being silent or talking. Just being together. I'm kind of obsessed with him. 

Besides all that, we found this:

 

And a small Swiss town. Why? I have no idea but you better believe that we are going back on a not-so-Sunday day to find some Swiss cheese. 

NAAAH! SVETNAH!! SADAVECH-eeee-AH-VO!!

Umm, that was my Swahili you see in the title... just imagine the beginning to the song "Circle of Life" from The Lion King and you got it. Why you ask? Oh. I'll tell you why.  Probably because I got to go see the Broadway production of The Lion King this weekend. Which means this weekend= amazing. 

 

It's even better than that though. You see, Buck bought these tickets in, like, March or something while we were just dating. I remember when I found out that he got them... for September 25. "Wow..." I thought, "He thinks that we will still be dating for that long...."

Haha. 

Probably more funny to me than to him. 

Well, except that his plans worked and we watched the play as married people.

 

Guess the joke's on me. ;)

Point is that it was such an amazing play. I mean, what can you expect when you get Broadway and Disney's budget and imagination put together? 

 

And that's  the circle of life baby.

Judging by the Cover

Heeellllooo! Welcome to our little apartment. It's nothing too spectacular but it feels like home. You know how they say that you can learn a lot about a family by their medicine cabinet? (If you looked at ours you would think that we get a lot of head aches, cramps, can't sleep, and that we think that cough drops are candy...) But I think that really one of the best ways to get to know a family is by their bookshelves. 

So. Say "hello" to our bookshelf.

It holds many treasures. As you can see, we hold the board games up top. One of my favorite shelves falls beneath that:

 

 

Proudly on display you will find both of our undergrad diplomas, all my many glorious travel books, and two paper weights that I made in a glass blowing class that I got as a Christmas present last year. This shelf says a lot to me.

Below that you find:

 

This is basically my book shelf, seeing as these are all mine... AND that piece of pottery is from my hands from when I took pottery (and almost died... I'm not so good but this is my one pride and joy piece)

And below this shelf is:

 

Basically the coolest shelf ever. I mean come on- who could pass up a book on sea otters? Or on stars or an Archie comic book? And that owl book end? I believe that comes from Buck's grandpa. :)

After that shelf we have Buck's shelf, which also happens to be our religion shelf. He's a big fan of this literature. 

 

And this, my friends, is only the beginning of the books he will collect through his life on this subject. :)

And then last but not least, we really needed a shelf for these, seeing as we have so many:

Lots and lots of records. And a music book or two. 

And now you know us a little bit more. We love culture, religion, pondering, social activists, children's books, music, art, and the fact that we graduated. 

Oh. And we do have another book shelf, nearly the same in size, that's located in the bedroom. This one holds many, many journals and notebooks, music books, stationary and letters, random nick-knacks, several mad libs, and a music box.

Thanks for visiting! 

What's in your book shelves?

One Month

So.  Since we are newlyweds, we took our rights and celebrated our {one-month} anniversary. I had to be somewhere until 9:00 p.m. but when I got home Buck surprised me with a dozen red roses (yes the ones in the picture above) and he made me sticky rice and mangoes because one time when we were at a Thai restaurant I proclaimed how much I love that dessert. Sometimes he has a good memory. (sometimes) ;)

I can't believe that it's only been one month. It feels like it's been longer, but in a good way. There was never some huge transformation but more of a natural unfolding. Perhaps it's because we've known each other for almost four years. Maybe it has nothing to do with that at all. Maybe this is how forever feels, that is, that not only is there no ending, but there is also no beginning. 

And I feel like we knew each other a perfect amount. That we knew each other well enough to be best friends but that we didn't know each other too much so that everyday it is going to be exciting. 

The point is that I am in love. I'm positive that I always will be. I keep thinking how I am the luckiest girl in the world and how getting married to him was the best decision in my life. 

Here's to many more months to follow. I. Can't. Wait.

:)

Creative Adventure Guide 101

Okay. So after yesterday's post and the comments I found therein, I discovered that I was not alone in my feelings. So I decided that we all need to kick it up a notch. I can't speak much for jobs because, well,  that is up to the employment gods BUT there are other things that we can do to make sure that life is memorable.

See, I have this theory. Think about all the days of your life that you can't remember. I know that I have countless memory-less days behind me. But think. When we do something, anything, that is worthy of long term space in our brains, then we have been successful. Every day is important. That's my opinion anyways.

So I am sharing with you some of the gems I have found.

Adventures:

1) Tis the season to... go pick fruit and pumpkins and other various pick-able things. Check out this website to find farms near you. Especially at this time of year when it's time to carve a pumpkin or two, drink apple cider, and bake some zucchini bread. Why waste time at a boring store?? GO pick it yourself and enjoy the environment while you're at it. Learn something; meet people.

Pick it

2) Here's something random for you. Did you know that you can go and help on an ARCHEOLOGY DIG as a VOLUNTEER? Well, you can! There are treasures and discoveries happening everyday! There are more to be found in the summer but there are also some in the fall. Check out this website to see if there are any happening near YOU. Take a weekend and find a dinosaur. Why not?

Dig it

3) Ever wonder what it would be like to see Native Americans in their element? Dressed in sacred ceremonial clothing and dancing to the beat of the drum? Ever wanted a real Navajo taco? Well here is your chance to go. On this website you will find a current listing of real pow-wows happening all over the United States. Go explore the roots of our nation. 

WOW it

4) Ready for this little gem? It's a brilliant website for all your road tripping needs. But here's the thing: you don't have to go on a road trip to experience road trip wonders. The world's larges ball of yarn may be right next door to you. Your "road trip" may only be 15 minutes away. So go and find Sasquatch's footprint or see a pirate museum. And stop at a diner while you're at it. 

   

Discover it

5) Ready for something other than the community pool? Do you want to find a place to really float those floaties? Have you ever wanted your own "swimming hole" down south? Turns out there are swimming holes to be found all over this blessed land. And there is a website for it too. But this guide is good year round as it also shows you were to find the best hot springs as well. So go take a dip  somewhere unique. 

Swim it

6) Do you live in the wild, wild West? Then it's about time you explored just how wild it used to be. There are ghost towns and ghost town sights all over just waiting to haunt you. Hey, maybe there are some back east as well. If not I know you all have plenty of creepy old cemeteries to go to. Either way, go spend some time with these spirits.

Believe it

Helping:

Let's face it. We all want to serve and volunteer and get involved. At least I know that my friends (you) do. Because you are good people. But sometimes it is hard to know where to go or what to do besides to make another casserole for the widow down the street (which is a worthy cause and should continue.) But if you want to find somewhere to go and something else to do, try this website and see what is in your area.

Serve it

Creating:

Don't have time or desire for any of these adventures? Or do you need something to entertain yourself during the day when you're alone? I'm right there with you. So before you do ANYTHING you need to first watch this little message:

Create it

And then you need to PLEASE PLEASE read this talk! I don't care what you're doing or if you've read it before. It's all about creative creating. And you need to read it. It will help you get going. Get you out of that rut. It will inspire you. It will enhance you.

Become it.

Thus ends my first edition Creative Adventure guide. I know I've got some plans up my sleeve. I'll let you know of my adventures and you let me know about yours! LET'S GET GOING.

{If any links don't work let me know and I will post the actual site}

*Sigh*

Maybe you wonder what my purpose is. I sure do. I mean as far as my day-today-I'm-a-contributing-human kind of way. Why? Because I don't have a job. Nor can I seem to find one. Or interview successfully. I applied to a billion places though. Maybe something will come through.

I also keep planning all these epic things like Sunday canyon drives, weekend pow-wow and Navajo fairs, Zion National Park escapes, pancakes for breakfast, morning walks, ghost towns, corn mazes, volunteer work, starting a singing group, going to a pumpkin patch and apple cider mill, and maybe taking some people's pictures. But do these things happen?
No.

Because I have been feeling like a pile. And as each of these things pass away and become lost opportunities I feel more and more like a flower without a scent and therefore I keep laying at home.

Mostly because I don't have a job and all my friends here have jobs and/or school during the days. They are incredibly productive people. Unlike someone I know...

Don't get me wrong. I'm not sad. Because really, my life, as in my life- {his name being Buck} is the best life I could ask for. Which is why I just want to contribute.

But until God sees fit I guess that I will take care of this little monster:

Yes. Those are my socks. It's amazing the things he finds and knights as toys. He is sleeping next to me right now though. I sure do love him. My little punkin. He's growing up!

The point is... that I don't know what my point is.
Life is always so bizarre. And so are cats. 

Honey & Hammocks

Saturday had some alliterations. We bought some honeycomb at a Farmer's Market

and laid on a hammock.

We pretended that we were laying in a hammock that was "perilously hanging between two tall black canyon walls, up high, over a blue rushing river."

{I love his imagination.}

We also got to spend time with lots of different people. Friends and family and family friends and friends that are family and family that are friends. And we got to hit a pinata that was decorated like a bee hive.

We also ate too much food and are now in remission.

Wedding-ness

Alright. Speaking of wedding photos... here is a link to see the professional wedding photos taken that wonderful day. We loved our photographer! He is awesome and so fun and did a great job! You will see a lot of photos in the gallery but there are 600 more that aren't up! And we get them all- full resolution and full rights!= AWESOME. Just to talk him up a little more- he has been doing photography for a loooong time and has amazing and expensive equipment. He used to do landscapes and therefore is a master at lighting and the camera- something lacking in today's "photographers." What he captured for us are photos that are pieces of art, stunning lighting, yet classic- something that will look beautiful for years to come- not just trendy in a Facebook album. (although I do love those kinds too!) Point is, as you can tell, we are happy with the outcomes. So go ahead and look if you please. You can leave comments on your favorite in the gallery as well, which is welcomed. Okay. I am done rambling.

Click here to see them!

And in case I suck at linking things, here is the actual address:

http://alloutdoor.smugmug.com/Wedding-galleries/Anna-and-Buck-wedding/13705427_23KGE#1008141448_qSgs2

ENJOY!

The Western Idaho Fair

        So. Funny story. Right after we got back from our honeymoon we were able to go to the fair and have a lady take pictures of us in our wedding cloths on the Ferris wheel. The whole event turned out to be quite entertaining. So they let us in for free. Then we get to the Ferris wheel and wait. People are congratulating us and pointing and stuff. Once we get on the ride two ten year old boys waiting in line keep chanting to us “Kiss! Make out! Kiss! Make out!”
       Once we were off the ride some large woman comes up and asks if we really got married or if we were just “farting around.” We admitted that we indeed just got married and she pulled us into her large bosom and hugged us and then made her grandson congratulate us.
       Then two little girls came over and one asked in a small voice, “Can we take our picture with you?” So of course I agreed and we took a picture together, just like the I Disney princess I am.
       Then we got some pictures of us eating cotton candy and then a fair worker at one of the games gave me a stuffed animal prize for free as a wedding gift. Which was awesome.
       And the results of the most entertaining 23 minutes at the fair? The most hilarious pictures ever at the fair. Before I had an idea of romantic fair pictures but nope. These things make me laugh so hard every time I see them. So maybe I didn’t get my romantic Ferris wheel wedding pictures but I sure did get some funny ones and some memories as well.

Here are some of the highlights: The decent ones: {note: the "photographer" got some interesting angles, meaning she shot from below into the belly and the whole ferris wheel just looks like an old metal machine. haha.}

This one my arm took. :)

Ok. So my mom actually took this, what I consider to be the most artist one. And anyone who knows my mom's photo skills, knows this is a miracle. (love you mom)

Another one my mom took. One of the best. Should of paid her the 25$

 

Do you love the break lights in this one? And the carnival workers' head to the right?  A masterpiece.

And now for the funny ones:

   Eat cotton candy is always so ... majestic for me...

And NOW for my personal favorites:

Thanks for looking and hopefully laughing with me at these. I love them for what they are.

{Three weeks married and never been happier though} :)