{a game}

Every now and then when I get restless and want a change in scene, which let's face it is about every few weeks, I play a little game. If you dream of living and traveling to far away places, you too might enjoy it. It's very simply, really. If you are familiar with craigslist.com, you've already got a head start!

Here's how it goes:

1 - Go to craigslist.com and choose a location, or someone can choose a location for you (my co-worker Stephanie and I choose for each other).

2 - Once you have chosen your location, you will find out everything you can about this city/state/country. Particularly, you will want to find a place to live, naturally. So, find housing and take a look at what is available. In your mind, this may be just a vacation or temporary living arrangement. It's up to you. Money is not object.

3 - After finding a place to live, of course you will need a means of making income, yes? Look under the column that bolds the word jobs. Since there are so many skill sets you have, and this is just for fun anyway, choose whatever you like! I tend to choose the jobs that will give me the most time off to enjoy the area and travel about.

4 - As you are getting to know your area, look under community and find out about all the ways you can get to know people in your community. Perhaps you want to take an art class, or even volunteer in the area. So many opportunities!

The prospects are endless. I know it may seem like a silly way of passing time, but actually it helps me get out of my day to day, sometimes uneventful life. It allows me to dream of possibilities and helps me more happily enjoy my life where I am. Even if I don't take the vacation or begin the new life I planned for myself, it doesn't matter. All that matters to me is that I'm still dreaming.

Model for a moment

Here I am trying to look model-ish. Actually, I think I was just about to break it with a laugh!

Shannon (my sister) is an amazing photographer. Check out her blog for all of your photography needs: www.shannonhaddenphotography.blogspot.com

Phelps! Phelps! We love Phelps!

This guy is amazing! Without a lead until the last lap in the 200m butterfly, I was fearful. However, as he always does, he came out a champ in that last lap. The guy is incredible!

I saw a streaker!

The streaker was my beloved roommate who will remain nameless (starts with an m and ends with an elanee). Bless her. I haven't seen any streaker roommates - or roommates at all for that matter, for at least two and a half years. But recently, I decided to make the move from being solo to a quartet. I was unsure of how it would be sharing quarters with more than myself, but I have found my transition to be quite painless and rather pleasant. Each time I've mentioned to someone that I've gone from being alone to sharing, they usually gasp and think we're going to be at each other's throats. That is simply not how it works - at least not with our lovely house of ladies. We are all working professionals and we enjoy each other's fun company. I didn't realize how nice it would be. Luckily I've shared a house with two of the three before. It makes things so much easier to adapt!

Anyway, not only do I love my roomies, but I love the location. I am only a couple of blocks away from where I lived for so many years in Orem. The difference in this home is that we have a lovely canyon breeze that blows freely through the house at night, which is just incredible! I love that I can hear the trees blowing in the wind at night, and can enjoy the wonderful rain falls (I was in a basement before with few windows). I'm excited to watch the seasons unfold from my bedroom window.

Seasons and streakers... it's all good fun!

Down dooby-dooby down!

It is day 7, and I am down 10 pounds! I know what you're thinking 'you're losing too fast, you'll never keep it off'. Al contrario! You see, it is expected with this particular weight plan. I'll tell you all about it... when I finish. You only have to wait two more days. M'kay?
Thanks for your encouragement!

Shark week!

It's shark week on the Discovery Channel. So freaking awesome! I've been mesmerized, for real.
I have a healthy fear of sharks, but still am fascinated by these water dwelling creatures. I did learn one cool thing on the myth busters portion of shark week. A shark is more likely to attack if you are thrashing about. Best thing to do - play dead. Not that I get out to shark infested waters very often, but still, a good thing to know!

Day 3...

We have success! I have lost 6.3 pounds and 15 inches (overall). Yeehaw!!

Day one...

Today I begin anew.... yes, it is weight loss time, and I'm in it for the long haul! I will keep you posted as my chubby physique changes. Woohoo!!

Encouragement is always greatly appreciated! :)

Give up counting the sheep

Instead, buy this lovely gem of a product. I've been using Origins Sleep Time gel for months, and I've never had a better night of sleep. It's all natural too. Put the Tylenol PM and the Ambien away. You'll love it as I do.
Buy it here.

Friday night shout-out to...

Enterprise, Alabama! (you know who you are)

:)

Thursday scream/yell day...

Go ahead - let out your frustrations. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhHHH
(breath) AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

Just let out all of that aggression!!

GO ahead! Do it!

*namaste*

Just the way you are...

"Don't go changin', to try and please me, you never let me down before... hmm-mm-mm-mm-mm"

In the world of relationships, can we ever really be loved just as we are? I used to think so. I don't know if it's true.

Ah, frustrations that I can't even verbalize.

Ah well, I'm just putting it out there.

Photoshop with Shannon

I love it when my sister can make me look nice in a picture. Love that photoshoppin'. Let's keep it, shall we? Ok. By the way, my sister Shannon is an amazing photographer. Check out her website here.

Amigos

I'm a big fan of having friends. In my 32 years, there have been friends made in so many stages of my somewhat short life. Last night I got to spend time with some friends that made my years of High School bearable - even sweet. I don't see them very often, but whenever we get together we just pick up from when last we met. I love that about good friends. We may lose touch for a little while, but we pick up from where we left off. I love that we can still be silly, too - which is evident in the photos. Man, we're such nerds!
Thanks to all of you friends for your friendship. Not only the ones in these photos, but all of you that have been a part of my life - whether it be 30 odd years, or one month. I'm grateful for all of you.

The week in pictures

* My friend Heather has been in town from NYC, and I had the chance to finally meet her 3rd child, Stella. What a beaut! Also, little Cole (almost 3) and I have become buddies. He is hilarious!
Margaret (not pictured) is a doll. Some of her mannerisms remind me so much of Heather. Love them all! Too bad Matt can't be here with them for the whole trip. Ah, the joys of work!

* XanGo employee night at the Real Salt Lake game. My brothers Conn, Sean and I had a great time, along with my friend from the mission Aaron Metcalf and Sean's friend Victoria. I loved spending time with my brothers and friend. Good times.