This blog was private for the past few weeks...and it felt weird. I'm a private person, and yet i'm not a fan of privacy. So that's all over with.

 

--- Last week, aaron and i ate dinner at Panda Express. I opened my fortune cookie at the end to read this: "Be assertive and you will win." That slip of paper, obviously meant to be mine, is now in my wallet, to act as a sort of CTR ring. "Choose the assertiveness." I take my fortune cookies seriously.

 --- I really appreciate the summer months. I wish i could say autumn or spring are my favorite seasons, but they are far too short. But summer lasts exactly long enough. And it is delicious to the taste.

 --- I really have nothing left to say for this post, and i racked my brain trying to think of more. Except here is another video that is awesome. My mom laughed, aaron laughed, we all laughed. Rideo, ridere, risum. ---

Thirteen Thoughts

Just a few things: 

 1) I just pre-ordered the 3rd Hunger Games book...i signed up for an AmazonPrime free trial (my 2nd..) so i could get the free 2-day shipping.  (note: must remember to cancel within a month to avoid the $79 charge...yikes! if I forget than it’s fine, I will just order extra books to make it worth it. Wink!) 

2) Sea salt chocolate  is my favorite thing at the moment 

3) A year ago today, i was sunburnt from Lake Powell. Today, i am sunburnt from Crooked Lake. Both were worth the burn. 

4) My personal topic of research lately has been North Korea- I had never read much about it before, so i've learned quite a bit. Especially interesting to read about the experiences of people who have visited or lived there: (see here, here, here, here, and here). 

5)  We saw all 10 of the 2009 best picture nominated Oscar films...my favorites were 'An Education' and 'Inglorious Basterds' (least favorites: 'District 9' & 'Hurt Locker') 

6) I really don't like the saying, "life is short". seriously? do we need reminding? Really, any time-related reminders i don't like. (e.g. someone checking the clock before bed and saying, 'you have to wake up in 5 hours', or,  hearing that 'summer is halfway over', etc., etc. 

7) So, another thing i don't like...being obligated to say "bless you" when someone sneezes. Truly a terrible tradition from the Middle Ages.  But some people act offended when you don't bless them. (e.g."ah-choo!"...pause....awkward silence..."well, bless me") Perhaps everyone could go on a sneeze blessing strike? Can we try it? When i sneeze, ignore me! (and i'll return the favor) 

8) I also don't like pennies...i used to throw them away. They're useless. Then i graduated college and found out that a penny saved is a penny earned. 

9) The italian side of my family is having a reunion in a few weeks...i made tshirts with the family coat of arms. 

10) we’ve caught up on watching all of the Big Love series.  On the whole i would say two thumbs up.  And it helped with Utah withdrawals ;)

11) Very delighted for my dear old roommate and friend monica who is engaged! Now i just need to meet this guy. someday, somehow?! 

12) When aaron was working late into the night during his winter busy season, i would sit at the piano and belt out this song. really dramatic. 

13) Speaking of aaron, he found the most hilarious video ever today...i hope he posts it on his blog or something. If not i'll link to it later. *later: here it is. please watch it. 

*Edit: this makes me sad. i have no books to pick-up.

[kids playing soccer on the street in naples, italy, from when i went with my mom...this is my tribute to the world cup, despite that italy was eliminated so early]