Hi, it's me.

What a stranger to my own blog I have certainly been! Life has been busy recently. The end of this month and May will continue to be busy, actually. I just got back from a XanGo Las Vegas Regional convention last night. It was quite the show, really. When I got home yesterday morning, I was absolutely beat, which is evident by my early departure to dream land at 6:30pm and rise at 7 am this morning. Loved every moment of it. Tomorrow I leave for Charlotte on a surprise visit to my dear nephews Gavin and Ryan. I don't get to see them enough, so I fully plan on a week of hugging and kissing their heads off!
Later in the month I leave for a work trip to Frankfurt. It'll be a busy trip, but nice to be in a new place.
Anything else? I think not. Just wanted to let you, my faithful public know that I am still here :)

The Weather, Spanish peanuts, and Rochester

So, I have writers block...or something. You know, I don't feel the need to write something clever in each and every blog. I want to be real and just write the things that are on my mind. But sometimes the words simply won't come. Are you picking up what I'm putting out? Ah, ok. Lemme try, then...

Today it snowed. It snowed a whole heap of a lot! I don't mind the snow. I don't mind that it snowed late in the season either. I know many people have issues with it, but I rather like the drama in weather and the very unpredictability of it. My favorite part of the 'crazy' weather was the rain beating down on the house and on my window pane last night. It's romantic to me. I believe my parents influence has me on this one yet again. Each time it would rain growing up - especially when we moved to UT (Hawaii was always rainy anyway) my mom would buy vanilla ice-cream, Spanish peanuts and chocolate sauce. Perhaps it was the lack of rain storms in UT that provoked it. Anyhow, we'd then watch "Little Women" (just the girls). I should also note that my dad is every bit of a romantic and likes to curl up with his book and a fire whilst a good rain is falling. I suppose that is what feeds my craving for the weather experienced last night. I bask in it like I would bask in the sun on the shores of Mexico! Truly.

I love period films. I am at this moment watching "Jane Eyre" from the new Masterpiece Theater performance, and oh my! This isn't the first time watching it. I've seen it a handful of times, but with the weather, it was one I had to pull out. That Mr. Rochester, that dear Mr. Rochester. Would that there were a 'Mr. Rochester' for me. Bless him for filling my heart with romance on this overcast day. We all need a little romance in our lives, do we not?

The dawning of the age of Aquarius

I am an Aquarian. I don't always know what that means, but nonetheless, I find it very interesting. My life isn't guided by my sign, but horoscopes do tend to amuse me. Each day I receive a new horoscope by email. I don't always read it, but when I have a moment I’ll peruse over the specifics of the horoscope and see how it fits into my life. It usually doesn’t fit, but today it went a little something like this...

Your freedom is more important to you than anything else in your life. It is often very difficult for you to get involved, whether personally or professionally. Nevertheless Erin, today you may have to think about it. Could it be that your thirst for freedom is just an escape? You may feel it necessary to think about this question today. Who knows? You may just decide to take the leap!

I thought it interesting that it brought up my freedom. I've been thinking about that a bit lately. I often feel the need to get out and spread my wings, which is usually in the form of travel. Travel is a definite escape for me. But beyond this one thing, I have thought about my many “quirks”. Some of my closer friends know this about me more than others. So, let’s begin this.

I have issues answering the phone. My brother-in-law Ryan pointed this out to me the other day when he tried calling. I wasn’t avoiding his call – since it was on quiet. Anyhow, when I called him back a few minutes after realizing I missed the call, he said “are you so controlling that you can’t answer the phone, and have to call me back on your own time?” He was laughing about it of course, but it got me thinking. Now, I’ve known that I’ve had a “fear” of the phone for many years. Yet, the one thing I love about having my own cell phone is that I don’t have to answer it until I want to. I can let voice mail get it, and surely if that person wanted to talk to me badly enough, they’d leave a message. Isn’t it the greatest thing?! But yet I get crap about it all the time! Usually when family calls I don’t mind picking up, because I can say “Hello, what’s up? You need me to do such-and-such, or blah, blah… ok, bye”. And it’s done. There is no pretense to it. I don’t even feel bad cutting the conversation short if I’m busy, and they don’t care either. They are perfectly fine with it. On the other hand…

I have great friends; lots of great friends. The friends that know me best (bless their patient hearts) know that if they call me, I usually won’t pick up. This isn’t because I’m trying to avoid a call or don’t want to talk to them. The reason I do this is because I want to find the time to have a long conversation without interruption. For obvious reasons, I wouldn’t be able to chat it up while I’m at work. I don’t like chatting about personal things in the store, or anywhere else for that matter. The “safe” chatting zone is in my car or in my room. Do you get me? Yeah, quirky I know, but true.

So, maybe it’s not all about freedom, but more about control, eh? Hmm…

In short, I cherish my freedom. I will probably change when change is required, but for now, I think I’m going to hang on to my freedom. Oh, and a good thing to know, I’m GREAT at texting!

How does any of this have to do with being an Aquarius? No real clue, actually. It could be that Aquarians are generally those that are constantly looking to spread their wings, and experience difficulty settling down. What does that have to do with fear of the phone? Oh, I don't know. It's just a blog, people!

Me gusta cantar

So, here I am singing. You'll notice the microphone wasn't working so well.
It has been so long since I sang a solo, people. It feels good to get up and do something I love. Ahh... it's nice.

Red Mango

So, I went with Rob and Vicki to this new, hip yogurt joint last night called Red Mango, which apparently is all the rage in Asia. Yogurt is not a new concept for me, but once I got to the front of the line and said "I've never been here", the guy on the other side of the counter started spouting the benefits of yogurt, which are: 100% all natural, fat free, rich in calcium and protein, and contains live and active cultures which are good for the body. Sounded good to me. I asked for a medium pom yogurt with sides of fruit and graham crackers. It was delicious! I was so excited to have found such a yummy treat, and one so good for me too!

One hour later... my stomach was not happy. I woke up at 2 am with my stomach in knots, KNOTS I tell you! It was very upset. I don't know why it affected me so much. I don't eat much dairy at all, so I figured that the live and active 'cultures' were probably trying to find their place in my acidophilus-free stomach. Seriously, I was so excited to have a new found favorite treat, but the stomach ache was almost too much to bear. It finally went away after I popped about 20 Rolaids at 3 am.

Am I the only one who has had this reaction to the delicious Red Mango yogurt? Do share if you have any insights.

{Bummer}

Well friends, my Egypt trip didn't turn out as planned. My friend and I were going to be traveling on buddy passes, but flights were very full out of SLC. Not only that, but I also came down with something a few hours before I was to leave. Bummer. Ah well. This is the life of standy-by passengers. Sometimes it works out, and sometimes it doesn't. I'm ok with it, because I know that I'll get to Egypt someday. Sooner than later!

So, here's to future trips be they stand-by or confirmed!

Twinsers

Ok, I've done it once before, but how does it happen that two people in the same small department have the same dress?! As evident from the picture, Nicole and I purchased the same cute, comfy, long frock. Hilarious!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

A grand day indeed! As a very young girl, I have memories of green porridge for breakfast, mom drawing shamrocks on our faces, wearing pins saying "Kiss Me I'm Irish" and being afraid of ever wearing one again when a boy in school actually tried to kiss me, watching movies like "Darby O'Gill and the little people", and "The Quiet Man". Oh, the fun! My parents have always made a big deal out of this holiday, and they have always made us proud of our Irish heritage. As I've been able to travel to Ireland on several occasions, I am even more proud of such a beautiful land, and equally beautiful people. Just take a look at the beauty of Ireland; the place for which I was named.In front of the Cliffs of Moher, 2004
Blarney Castle with friends, 2004

More cliffs.


One of my favorite places in the whole world! Ah, amazing Ireland!

My brother Sean... so proud of him.

Check it out... you'll be glad you did.
http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/303097/17/

St. Paddy's day is-a-comin'!

A clip from one of my fave St. Paddy's day movies. We have watched this on every March 17th since I was a wee lass. That dear Sean Connery... what a looker!

Enjoy!

Viva Mexico!

I recently returned from a 6 day long trip to the sprawling, massive metropolis of Mexico City. This is my 3^rd year going for work, and I never cease to be in awe at absolutely everything. For one, the size of which I have spoken, the loco drivers, and the amazing food. Oh, and need I mention Mexican Coke? Ahh, simply heaven.

This trip was basically all work, but we did have some free time for site-seeing and food tasting. The majority of our time was spent at a very large convention center called the Banamex. There we worked for 3 days to set up and run XanGo’s regional event. My job was in the Glimpse area, which is skin care. The distributors had the chance to have a picture taken of their face on a Vizia machine. It showed the amount of wrinkles, A/V damage, bacteria, and much more. I had worried for some time as to how I would do a skin care consultation in Spanish (which isn’t my primary job in the company), but once the appointments starting rolling in, my Spanish started flying! I loved talking to these people, but mostly I loved how grateful they were that I could explain it to them in a language they could understand. After each 3 minute consultation, they would hug and kiss me on the cheek. I reveled in it. I was so tired from talking, but was so happy to be there. After those 7 hours, I felt like a total expert in skin care. Hmm… something to think about. Nah, totally kidding. I suppose it really helps when I use the stuff myself.

My roommate (and Director), Marcole and I stayed an extra day to visit some hotels, and then do a little site seeing. Little did we know, there was a very big fish in the Mexican pond that day that would thwart all of our site-seeing plans. On our way out to see the pyramid ruins of Teotihuacan (an hour or so away), we were aghast to see so many armored military men and policemen in the area. We knew that things had been heating up on the border of Mexico, but at the ruins? Well, come to find out that dear President Sarkozy of France was visiting the ruins that day with the President of Mexico, and no one was allowed in. Not only that, but there was an armored, machine gun carrying military man at every post – approximately every 200 feet encompassing the whole area of ruins (which is at least a few miles around). Plans had to change, obviously. Instead our driver took us to a restaurant called La Gruta, which is a restaurant in a grand cave. It was pretty amazing.

We then tried to see a bull fight. No such luck. It was closed for the dear, sweet French President as well. Then, once again, we tried for something else – a concert to see Luis Miguel (a favorite of mine), but tickets were sold out, and scalpers were asking a pretty penny for what was left.

We did, however, get to walk the busy city a bit more and see the Museum of Anthropology, particularly a museum of Russian Tsar’s. I loved it, because, well, I love Russia.

All in all, a good trip filled with good people, good sites, good food, and a good 3 pounds gained on my part. Not happy.

Viva Mexico!

Just a few of the trucks filled with military men surrounding the ruins.
The cathedral near the Xocolo.
Truck of policemen guarding the perimeter of the ruins.
The pyramids (luckily I visited them 3 years ago)
Marcole at La Gruta (the cave)
Looking into the cave.
Me in the center of town - the Xocolo
Checking out Nate's bling (check out the wrist)
Just taking a moment in between sessions at the XanGo store.

Travels

This week...

Mexico City





Next month...



Ahhh... heaven.

Douglas...

So, tonight as I was readying myself for bed, I searched for a book to read before laying myself down to sleep. This is a nightly ritual, and one that can get me in trouble, for I stay up far too late reading books. I looked through a stack of books I had beside my bed and realized I had read them all. I got up to look for something else - surely I hadn't read them all! Lo and behold, I reached into my closet and found a book my Dad had given me for x-mas. It is entitled Churchill's History of the English-Speaking Peoples. Does this sound like a book that would keep me reading until the wee hours of the morning? Most likely not. However, I thought about this book more and more as I handled it, and read my dad's note on the first page which reads, 'Merry Christmas Erin. One of the great histories written by one of the 20th centuries greatest figures! Love, Dad'
If you know my dad, Douglas, you know that he is a lover of literature. He is a passionate man, my dad. For as long as I can remember he tried to get us to read books and instill within us the same love of literature as he had. During summer vacations we'd get a dollar for each book we read, but I think only a few of us actually took the bribe. Dear Dad, he has always been kindly persistent. I remember a time when he gave me a Tony Hillerman book to read. It didn't 'look' like what I'd like reading at that age (there was no love story). However, once the stubbornness subsided, I would finally give in and read the book suggested. I liked it. I liked it a lot. I think he could see that I was perhaps more easily persuaded to enjoy books than the other kids in our family. He still gives me books to read that he has had on his stuffed-full-of-books shelf for years. When I finally changed my major to its last, it was to English Literature. Naturally, a place that felt like home.
So, tonight as I sat there looking at this book, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for what my dad has helped instill within me; the love of literature and a thirst for knowledge.
He gave me this book because he knew I enjoyed history, but he also gave me this book because he thinks I'm an intelligent person. He not only looks upon me as his feminine daughter that enjoys pretty things, but he looks on me as an intelligent woman that has the ability to further my knowledge of the world. He knows I have potential. This knowledge gives me confidence. It gives me confidence in my own intelligence and abilities. I really appreciate my dear dad's thoughtfulness, his kindness and his love. I don't often come to realizations like this, so I thought it would be best to record it somewhere. What better place then on this here blog o' mine.
Daddy Doug can usually be found sitting on his grand leather chair, next to the fire, surrounded by his books. At Christmas time, there will be music playing 24/7. Sometimes he'll fall asleep in his comfy chair, with reading glasses still clinging for life upon his nose. I enjoy that sight. I'll remember it for years to come. But mostly, I'll remember what he has taught me to love by example and gentle nudging. Thanks, Dad. Love you.

Everything is amazing, and nobody is happy.

Check this out. It's very true, folks. Very true. Go here.

cool under fire

I just watched my roomie Melanee put out a rather small, but potentially large fire. I gazed from the couch as she (in complete control) put out this fire that would have caused me much distress had I been in her position. Not Melanee. She is the gal you want to have in an emergency. Cool, calm, and collected. Bless her for saving my wee life!