When Boredom Calls ...

Moved

2009-12-23T16:03:00.002-07:00

In case you come across this blog you should know I've joined forces with my wonderful husband at brookeandben.blogspot.com .... So if you are looking for a blog to read head on over, or you can check out my book blog at brookejeansbooks.blogspot.com

See you there!

Wedding Day Fun

2007-09-07T12:19:00.000-07:00

It's seemingly ironic that I should post about Runescape before my own wedding. Well I'm righting the wrong and I'll share some "wedding day adventures".

We arrived at the temple around 6:25am, just in time to witness the explosion of this building. Unfortunately we didn't get a picture of the cloud of dust that quickly took over the downtown area.

We were very blessed to have an east wind that morning (something that never happens) and a large number of temple square workers who were able to clean up all the dust in the area before we even got out of the temple. Our pictures looked great!

After pictures we all headed over to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building to enjoy an amazing breakfast, friends, family, a quick little speach by Will, and a much longer and more embarrassing one by my mother, as well as a toast by Jay. Did I mention the food was amazing?

This next portion of pictures I like to call "The Reception: Before and After the Thunderstorm"

BEFORE:

The decorations were amazing: Provided by my mom's hard work. We didn't get many before shots of the reception but once we get the pictures back from the photographers we'll post more since they have all the really fun ones!

I borrowed this picture from Ben's sister's blog since I didn't have any of people before everyone ended up soaked!

DURING:

My sisters and Kjersty ran around in pouring rain to save all the decorations. They saved everything but ended up a little wet - Probably my favorite picture of the night!

AFTER:

We wiped down the chairs and tables and people enjoyed the smell of a fresh rain while I stood back and wished it would have waited an hour. Oh well ...

The rain didn't stop us though from enjoying the wedding celebrations. (Notice the sopping wet sister and best friend in the background!)

and last but not least ... My Cake! I think Albertsons and my aunt Donya did an amazing job!

So after all is said and done ... I wouldn't change a thing. The explosion of a building, the thunderstorm of the year, the homemade bouquets (which were made by Kjersty and myself about 2 minutes before guests arrived), and the people that shared in all the excitement just made this day one that I will never forget. I dare old age to even try!

Runescape - Marketing gone right!

2007-09-05T13:03:00.000-07:00

Why am I blogging about Runescape? I really don't know. Some (any grown adult, including myself) would say that it is a waste of time and yet the game itself is quite intriguing when you look at it from a marketing perspective. The way it is set up allows players to play for free with small encounters throughout the free game enticing players to subscribe for only 5 dollars a month in order to participate in the member options. There are two types of worlds you can enter - a non members world and a members world. In the non-members world (even if you are a member) you can't do the members world things - however, Runescape developers have placed member objects, and activities in the non-members world so people will click on them and get the response "You have to be in a members world to receive a quest from ____" or "You need to be on a members server to use this feature". Great marketing plan. Non-members encounter these sort of responses several times a day in their early gaming experiences. However, once you have been playing for awhile you learn which things are not available to a non-member and so you stop clicking on these options. At this point you think you are safe from being drawn into the member fees but you are so wrong.

Runescape is full of quests. After someone has been playing awhile they will eventually use up all of the free quests - there are about 30 free quests for people to do and about 100+ member quests (which is continuously growing). Once a non-member has finished all their quests they start wandering aimlessly about Varrock, Falador, Al Kharid and Lumbridge looking for a purpose in life and then they glance at their "quest list" and wonder what it would be like to save the dwarfs' tree house, attack blue dragons, fight off lvl 110's, or become the conquistador of a skeleton army.

Before you know it, anyone and everyone who has finished all their free quests who is still even slightly interested in the game is paying the $5 a month member fee to stroll through the once forbidden lands and to talk to the once forbidden folk and to climb over once forbidden fences.

Moral of the story - avoid this game unless you have countless hours of time to waste or if you are interested in seeing remarkable marketing work taking place right before your eyes. (That's the only reason I ever log in).

My blog has been put on hold

2007-07-11T07:44:00.000-07:00

Due to recent events this blog will be put on hold. (As if you didn't already know that). I will resume my sporadic posting after about the 1st of September. :)

It's official! August 18th is the big day!

2007-06-11T08:59:00.001-07:00

I think the ring says it all.

So ever since we announced our engagement I have been asked how, when, and where it happened. I should warn you this is only my side of the story and that there was a lot more planning and preparation going on than I am about to account for.

On Thursday, June 7, 2007, Ben Scott Newman thought it would be a good idea to go to "The Meadow of Luuuve" to paint some pictures. We had been up here with my roommate and her fiance hiking prior to this day and had decided that we should name all the different places along the way (and that is where it got its name). This particular meadow is a gorgeous green field with mountains and trees surrounding it on every side. Here are the pictures of the field in panoramic order!

Anyway, we sat down to paint and I quickly realized Ben wasn't in a painting mood at all. So as he did his thing I did mine. He finished his painting in like 4 minutes and I just continued painting nothingness as he loomed over me acting very anxious. I just figured he didn't want to sit down because there were bugs and a potential tick infestation all around us. I didn't really care much though because it was great weather and I was sitting in the middle of a beautiful field. After about 20 minutes I finished and we went down through the trees to go to the stream so I could rinse out my paint brush. As we got to the bottom of the hill Ben looked at me with concern filling his eyes. As he opened his mouth he started to spew forth words that at first made me think he was going to break up with me and then he made it sound like he just wanted to postpone our wedding until December (for any of you who know me, you know that this was almost as heartbreaking as being broken up with). It went something like this:

Ben: Brooke, I don't want to talk to your dad tomorrow. (He was going to be talking to my dad about marrying me and asking for my families blessing).
Me: (slightly confused) Okay ...
Ben: I mean, I've just been thinking about the timing of things and finances and you said you'd be ok with waiting until December if we really needed to
Me: (trying to smile because at least he wasn't breaking up with me) Yeah, ok.
Ben: and anyway, the real reason why I don't want to talk to your dad tomorrow is because I took work off and drove to Taylor (where my parent's live) yesterday.
Me: .... (I am guessing the look on my face was pure confusion)
Ben: (while reaching into his backpack) _________ I'm not allowed to say the mushy stuff that ben said here but before I knew it he had a ring and he was down on his knee asking me to marry him!
Me: Yes! A million times yes! (I don't know exactly what I said but I do know that at that moment I had a hard time believing it was all real!)

Anyway, so then of course I couldn't stop smiling for the next 10 days (yes, I am still smiling). And Later that night Ben took me to an amazing restaurant - The Chef's Table - to celebrate our engagement and to see if he could challenge a previous statement I had made that any girl who goes here will remember the food but won't remember the guy or the rest of the day after a year or two. (I think he has definitely made me retract my statement). I'm already forgetting the food but I will never forget that day.

So, now it is all official and we have started making plans. Our wedding date is set to be August 18th, 2007 and we are getting married in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple at 7:40am.

Oh and here is a close up of my engagement ring: (A princess cut diamond with 8 round diamonds set to the sides of it): PICTURE HAS BEEN DELETED .... I'll post a better one once I find it!

Radio Station Gone Reprobate: Story of K-Bull 93

2007-05-15T11:54:00.000-07:00

Over the past few years I have noticed Utah's radio station quality continuously decreasing. My favorite country station was taken from me, my favorite alternative station was dissipated and now ... the station I had come so fond of doesn't deserve my attentive ears.

Click here for the story.

It's too bad that good people have bad things like this happen. K-Bull 93 now has a lot of P.R. work to do to get their name back up in good graces. As for me, I think I'll just give up on the radio and stick to CDs and satellite.

My Camera: The Canon PowerShot S80

2007-05-14T08:24:00.000-07:00

It was about February 8th that I realized my camera had encountered an untimely accident in the depths of my purse. As I pulled it out and tried to turn it on, all I could hear was the sad attempts of a digital device straining to live. Each attempt I made to get my camera to work only made the death of my camera more eminent - or so I thought.

After that day many picture worthy events occurred but I was unable to document them. I won front row tickets to the valentines day Men's Basketball game where we were so close that I could feel the sweat permeating from the athletes in front of me. That same day I had a great Valentines Day "Date" as me and my roommate took turns being on a date with the same guy. During the month I also attended my first hockey game at BYU, watched the rembrandt commercial for the first time (truly life changing), watched BYU beat the UofU in Salt Lake City for the first time in 13 years, and had lots of "oh man if only I had my camera" moments.

March and April were even more full of moments I wish I had been documenting. Unfortunately, my camera was buried and I was clueless as to how to bring it back to life. My camera breaking only had one reward, I lured my friends out of hiding. They learned of my camera's disappearance from my everyday life and decided they could handle hanging out with me again. I made many feel safe, as though the paparrazi was no longer going to upset the living of their simple customary lives.

Unfortunately for them I have an awesome co-worker and for my birthday he decided to look into the warranty of my camera and he got it sent in and fixed (better than it was before it was broken: I even got a new LCD Screen on it). Now after my cameras recrudescence I can re-acquaint myself with my camera and now I can continue my repugnant picture taking habits at the expense of my family and friends.

Even though my camera missed Britney Spears breakdown, Anna Nicole Smith's Death, my roommates awesome St. Patty's day party, and Des's engagement now that it is back, my life is more fulfilling and happier than ever before.

Editor's Note: I cannot honestly attribute total happiness and a fulfilling life solely my cameras resurrection. There are definite other factors to making ones life seem whole.

Babybel Cheese

2007-05-09T10:30:00.002-07:00

Me (to co-worker): "What should I blog about?"
Co-worker: "Babybel Cheese" [Then poses with some corny look while holding an wrapped Babybel cheese in his hand]

Babybel Cheese is "Real Great Cheese, All Wrapped Up!™ Babybel® is a unique, wholesome snacking cheese for the entire family. Each 100% all-natural cheese comes individually waxed and wrapped for freshness and portion control. The perfect on-the-go snack at home or in a lunchbox and a good source of calcium."

I've been struggling with things to blog about so hopefully tonight I'll dream about something fun I can blog about tomorrow.

Shoes! Shoes! Shoes!

2007-04-27T12:06:00.000-07:00

This post is dedicated to Kendra Keller. My long lost roommate that has Mononucleosis and was kidnapped and taken back to Soda Springs, Idaho. Her love for shoes will forever live with me in my heart.

I haven't always been obsessed with shoes. There was a point in my life when I would proudly pipe up in a conversation and announce my total of three pairs of shoes. One for church, one for running, and one for everything else. I led my life in bliss being the one who could claim every article of clothing in my closet was purchased at "Ross: Dress for Less". And then it happened.

It was last summer at the beginning of June. Kjersty and I found ourselves at Meier and Frank looking at scads of shoes and it just so happened that I'd always wanted a pair of cute espadrillas with a hemp like sole. (Of course at the time I had no idea what an espadrilla was - a type of mexican food maybe?) Anyway, as we browsed I turned a corner and there they were. It was as if I was in a movie and my prince charming had just walked in the room. The lights from heaven shown down on these shoes and my heart became instantly attached. I slowly crept closer to the shoes and wide-eyed I looked at the price tag. At that moment I was facing one of the largest wardrobe dilemmas that has ever been faced. First, I had never spent more than $15 on a pair of shoes before. Second, these shoes were about $40 (maybe a little less ...). And lastly, there were two pairs of them. Now in comparing them to decide which to buy I realized they were a lot like guys. They both had wonderful qualities but they weren't the same qualities. What one pair of shoes had the other lacked. That is when I pulled out my phone and decided to text a guy friend that knew more about clothes than me.

His answer was almost too simple. First, he asked me if I really liked them both. Then he went on to ask me if I would wear them both. When I answered yes to both questions he said .... (Prepare yourself for ground shaking advice) ... "Why don't you just get both?". What an idea! If I was going to get the $40.00 worth of wear out of them I might as well buy them. Since then ... my shoes are now stacked in my closet 5 high. My life has been forever changed by that moment in Meier & Frank and will forever live on as the moment I became a little more "high-maintenance" and began to enjoy the fact that I am actually of female origin and can completely enjoy a good pair of shoes and a good shotgun experience all in the same day! (There is never anything too manly to not wear heels if you so desire!)

Since then I wear heels every day. If by chance I feel a need to wear completely flat shoes my calves hate me for it and I have to spend 4 days recovering from sore muscles. It's just easier to stick to the heels. Rain or shine my shoes and I will stick together. When the rest of the world walks out on me, my shoes will be there to help me walk with them. ... or something like that.

My effort to deter from productivity

2007-04-16T10:31:00.000-07:00

In a weak attempt to deter myself from doing any more group economic projects, history papers, marketing plans, or team presentations I have decided to pretend as though it is already summer and avoid the pressing deadlines that are hovering above me. Instead, I have decided to write a meaningless blog with no real underlying theme other than keeping me from doing the list of things I need to get done.

On April 18, 2000, I went to my mom and told her I was almost 16. Yes, I still had 364 days until I was 16 but I had already been counting down the months, days, hours, and seconds until I turned 16 for the past year. Now, I am counting down the hours, minutes, and seconds until I will be 22. This time, I am not counting down because I have been looking forward to this birthday for a very long time, but rather because I am dreading being any older than I already am. I never thought I would be old enough to wish I wasn't as old as I was. My mom always told me I should stop looking forward to being older because before I knew it I would wish I was younger. And now, here I am ... wishing I could stay 21 forever, and knowing full well it is impossible.

Since my life is flashing by before my eyes I have decided to put my edited "life list" on my blog ... (My actual list is longer but needed to be censored due to the fact that some people who might read this don't know me very well and may take my list at face value)

My Life List:

Learn to drive a stick shift car (Summer 2005 .. sort of)
Learn to play the drums
Go skydiving
Go bungee jumping
Run in a marathon
Write a book
Paint a picture (It was a bush ... 4/13/07)
Kiss someone with braces (8/11/06)
Learn Sign Language
Take a trip to Hawaii (8/31/06)
Take a trip to Australia
Have a NCMO (Fall 2003)
Kiss someone in a snow storm (December 2004)
Kiss someone in a haystack
Kiss someone in the rain (Summer 2004)
Cut a boys hair
Meet Wentworth Miller
Be in a movie
Get married in the temple
Go to every temple in the U.S.
Spend 3 days and 2 nights in every state in the U.S.
Go to 7 continents
Hike the Y (Winter 2004)
Change a car tire (2003)
Change the oil (2003)
Hike Mount Timpanogos (July 29, 2006)
Sing in a sacrament meeting with a small group(1999)
Meet the current prophet
Buy a car
Buy a house
Get lasix eye surgery
Get laser hair removal
Make a giant gingerbread house that actually stands on its own!
Run in the state track meet (Spring 2002)
Be on a game show
Ride on a llama/camel
Go to the Krishna Temple (8/19/06)
Milk a cow
Take a cruise
Make a quilt (Summer 2003)
Donate my hair to locks for love
Get a drastic hair makeover
Live outside of Utah for at least a year
Be a mom
Wear mom pants
Graduate from BYU with a degree in Marketing Management
Drink Hot Chocolate in France
Go to Disney World
Go Snorkeling (9/2/06)
Learn to Latin Dance

My Summer List

2007-03-31T09:24:00.000-07:00

Keri Huddleston, Age 14

Those that know me, know I'm crazy for summer. Last summer was probably one of my favorites as I found myself traveling farther than I have ever before. I was able to hike mountains, make new friends, go snorkeling with tropical fish, ride horses, watch fireworks, travel down the alpine slide, work on independent study, go swimming, float the Provo river, buy a shotgun, and do a lot of growing up. Since, last summer is going to be hard to beat I have decided to make a list of things I want to accomplish this summer. We'll see how ambitious I really am as summer approaches.

My List of Summer Fun:

Do an overnight hike

Hike Angels Landing at Zions

Spend a weekend in Oregon

Go to California and spend some time on the beach

Get my motorcycle license

Get my passport

Go to Capitol Reef National Park

Get some scrapbooking done

Go to Raging Waters in Salt Lake City

Try 10 new restaurants

Go white water rafting

Start some sort of workout plan

Get tan!!!

Save money for my CD account

Go to Timpanogos Caves

Go Spelunking

Visit the hot springs out in Saratoga Springs

Read 10 books

Play basketball!

Play some Frisbee Golf ... aka "Frolf"

I am sure I'll add to this list .... if you have any ideas for me this Summer ... I'm interested to know what else there is to do.

The End Has Finally Come!

2007-03-16T10:42:00.000-07:00

I can't really talk about this whole thing right now. I'm still pretty emotional about it all. Let's just say I gave BYU Men's Basketball team the benefit of all doubt and while filling out my bracket for the NCAA Championship and had them making it to the final four. Wishful thinking? Of course. Unfortunately for me, the curse has not yet been lifted. BYU Men's Basketball team has been unable to advance in the NCAA Tournament since 1993. Maybe next year? .... Doubtful but I'll continue to hope.

Now I must give a quick tribute to the Seniors on the team that have made this year so memorable. Keena Young, Austin Ainge, Jimmy Balderson, Fernando Malaman, and Mike Rose. Ending with a 25-8 overall record, a 13-3 conference record, holding the #1 spot in the country for the longest active home-game winning streak, shooting an average of 78.1 points per game, making an average of 7.5 three point shots per game, shooting a 41.3% 3 pt average, a 49.3% field goal average, and 65.8% free throw average, receiving an average of 37.5 rebounds per game, 3.5 blocks per game, 6.2 steals per game, and scoring a total of 2577 points this season, and claiming the Moutain West Conference Regular Season Title, as well as MWC Player of the year and Coach of the year. Although the curse was not lifted, I think it is safe to say I was proud to be a BYU Basketball fan this season. We hit some rough spots and it's still hard to think about the dreadful loss last night to Xavier but all and all, we had a dang good season and next time I see Sam Burgess, Ben Murdock, or Lee Cummard outside one of my classes ... don't expect anything less than a quickened heart rate and the longing to someday say more than "uh ummm ... hi".

GO BYU COUGARS! See you next season.

Editors Note: Dearest teachers: for the rest of March Madness ... expect my less than undivided attention as I will be watching the many games on my laptop in class and during any other event that will still allow me to have wireless internet access.

(the link provided only allows you to watch the games on an internet explorer browser)

“You’re Killing me Smalls!”...or lack thereof

2007-02-23T10:58:00.000-07:00

This post was found in the Daily Universe the Wednesday following the "white-out".

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to inform the powers that be of an egregious travesty; namely, the overabundance of XL and 2XL t-shirts at the BYU vs. Air Force basketball game. I find this disturbing on several levels.

First and foremost, the large amount of XL and 2XL shirts and the scarcity of medium and small sizes are not representative of the student population. I arrived at the game early in order to support the greatest basketball team on Earth only to find myriads of students scavenging the stands in search of the one small or the one medium shirt. If we are going to spend the money to buy shirts for the students, let’s make sure that the shirts fit.

Second, in the Lord’s doctrine and covenants, we read that we are to seek moderation in all things. Can we classify XL and 2XL shirts as moderate? No, we should be purchasing medium shirts, yea even extra medium. Only in this way can we truly draw close unto the Lord.

Lastly, I am sure that those shirts were made by underage, overworked, underpaid, and overstressed children in Haiti. By ordering so many XL shirts, we are adding work to those poor children who will have to sew the extra long seams of these huge shirts.

Sincerely,

Steven Murdock

Thomas Jones

Brooke Huddleston

& the rest of the medium and small-sized student body

White Out in the Marriott Center: Cougs Upset the #13 Falcons!!

2007-01-29T09:13:00.000-07:00

Article from the Daily Universe
And the die hard fan's perspective

With 22,700 Cougar faithful looking on, the BYU men's basketball team bumped and bruised the No. 16 Air Force Falcons on their way to an impressive 61-52 victory Saturday afternoon.

With seating so packed in the student section at the BYU vs. Air Force game on Saturday our group of 15 people had to basically sit on laps in order to fit, and yet this just added to the intensity felt in the Marriott Center Saturday afternoon. Some students, including myself, were at the game nearly two hours early to get the promised free shirt (watch for a post in the next day or two regarding this) and a decent seat. (ROW 15 BABY!)

The roaring crowd made their presence known early and played a big part in lifting the Cougars to victory.

"It was a great college basketball game," BYU coach Dave Rose said. "I thought it was a great crowd and a great atmosphere."

There were points in the game where I had to plug my ears because the roar of the crowd was so deafening. Anyone who tried to answer their cell phone or even talk to the person sitting next to them did so in vain as the decimal level went through the roof.

The Cougars got out to a slow start and found themselves trailing 10-4 early on. However, they fired back with a 25-6 run, led by a few three-pointers and a healthy dose of Trent Plaisted inside.

For the first few minutes of the game I felt hopeless. I felt as though I should be down on the court helping them out or better yet I should be re-enacting the Disney Movie where they rig the basketball so that a remote control could maneuver it however and wherever I like.

"Trent was great tonight," Cougar guard Austin Ainge said. "He scored when he had to, and he made passes out when he needed, and that's what it takes to get a win against a good team."

Screaming, yelling, booing, and breath holding all took place in the next 15 minutes of game time. My heart nearly fell out of my chest on several occasions as BYU pulled ahead and made some amazing plays to take a 10 point lead over Air Force. With thirty seconds left in the half Air Force got the ball and tried to end it on a good note but the Cougars put a stop to them once again and the team retired to the locker room with the Falcons trailing behind.

BYU continued to trade baskets with Air Force, and the Cougars held a 31-21 lead at half. The second half began with a series of plays that let Plaisted show his dominance instead. He took a pass from Ainge and dunked it with his left hand to open the scoring.

On the other end of the floor; Plaisted blocked a Jacob Birtschi shot and started the transition down court. He arrived in the lane again, took a pass and finished it with another powerful dunk, causing the crowd to roar.

Is there anything better than watching a 6'11" man dunk a basketball. Yes. Try watching a 6'11" Trent Plaisted dunk a shot, block a shot, and dunk another shot all in a matter of seconds. Words cannot describe the feelings and warm pricklies that came over me as I watched in awe at the skill Plaisted was adding to the court.

"It was the greatest college basketball environment I've been a part of," Plaisted said. "I was screaming at the top of my lungs and I couldn't hear myself."

The crowd, however, would soon be quieted.

Air Force made a run, as they have consistently shown they can do all year. A barrage of three-point shots and some tough defense cooled the Cougars off half-way through the second half.

As Air Force slowly crept back into the game my heart pounded with fear and I lost all ability to to speak. I may have even teared up a little as I watched the falcons come with in two points of tying up the game.

With 35 seconds left, the BYU lead had diminished. The score was 54-51 when Air Force intentionally fouled Plaisted, putting the 49 percent free-throw shooter on the line.

In terror I watched as Trent Plaisted approached the free-throw line in an attempt to make his shots. (I have been a large doubting thomas in regards to his free throws so let's just say I was praying but not expecting much at the line). Soon I was left awe stricken with my chin down to my knees and Plaisted unexpectedly made not one, but BOTH of his free throws giving us a 5 point lead with 35 seconds left in the game.

"If I was Air Force Coach Bzdelik I probably would have done the same thing," Plaisted said. "He is a good coach, and it was a good coaching move."

Plaisted took the pressure in stride. After the front end of the one-and-one barely made it over the rim, he knocked the second free throw down to extend the lead to five points.

The falcons then came down the court and Nick Welch missed a three-point attempt. Air Force tapped the ball back out, where BYU forward Keena Young was waiting.

Young grabbed the rebound, dribbled down the court, put the ball behind his back and finally made a layup as he fouled with 20 seconds left in the game. He hit the free throw to extend the lead to eight.

From that point on it was smooth sailing, and the Cougars won 61-52.

WE WON! WE WON, WE WON, WE WON!! There was a moment when I thought I was going to die of suffocation as the crowd around me jumped and cheered and screamed and hugged so tight I could barely move my lungs. And yet, this moment of complete and total fear of the loss of my life was drowned by my ecstasy over our win against the #13 Air Force Falcons. WE WON! We continue our home game winning streak. Now a total of 27 home game wins.

Plaisted finished the game with 22 points, while Young added 17.

The play of the two post players, who continue to work better with each other, was the difference. Their bruising play helped the Cougars out-rebound the Falcons by 22 for the game. The extra opportunities created by those rebounds made a big difference.

"It was a real big part of our game plan," Rose said. "We thought if we could get our three, four, and five men at the basket we could get our hands on the ball at least. We could also get some closer shots."

The win brings the Cougars' record to 15-6 overall and 5-2 in conference. They are now tied for second in the Conference.

BYU also extended their winning streak to 27 victories, which ties them with Air Force for the second-longest active home win streak in the country.

On Wednesday we head up North to face the arch-enemy and well hated University of Utah. I would say wish us luck, but I was told luck doesn't exist and besides ... I don't think the Cougs need much luck. We are just awesome anyway. ... WE WON!

Hakuna Matata has never been sung so greatly!

2007-01-22T17:34:00.001-07:00

On the way home from spending the night in Provo and attending the BYU vs. San Diego State Men's Basketball game Brinley decided to entertain herself for a good 15 minutes singing this song on repeat. Once again she managed to steal the spotlight and leave everyone in the car dying of laughter.

P.s. I fixed the video!

Business Ethics, the famous Oxymoron

2007-01-12T13:17:00.000-07:00

Three questions you learn to know and love in the BYU social scene:

1. What's your name?
2. Where are you from?
3. What's your major?

I can answer the first one without breaking a sweat. The second question almost takes too much effort to explain. I usually answer with something like "I am from the Ogden area." Sometimes I can get away with that answer. Other times the interrogator insists I give a more specific location. I have several answers but my most common is "I'm from this place called Taylor. No, you haven't heard of it. It's Taylor, not taylorsville. I know you don't know where Taylor is because I grew up in Roy which is about 5 minutes away and I never knew it existed until I moved there. Even though I am from Taylor and I should have gone to Fremont, I went to Roy High because I grew up in Roy. The name of the person that you know from Roy probably sounds familiar to me but I probably don't know them. If you want to get really technical, Taylor isn't an "official" city because it doesn't have a postal office so I guess I could have just told you I live in West Ogden but I didn't want you to think I'm from the ghetto, because I'm not. I am in fact a country girl who has cows and horses for neighbors, and yes, my family owns horses. I also didn't want you to list off 15 people that you know that happen to be from Ogden that I know I won't know." Now if you thought that was bad, imagine what happens when they ask me my major.

When I first applied to my program I was naive and believed that all majors were looked on equally. Boy was I wrong. "Yeah, I'm a business major." This answer gets several responses. My favorites include, but are not limited to a slight nod and raised eye brow as they say "so do you plan on having a family." Of course I do, but I wouldn't give them the benefit of such a simple answer so ... "Yeah, maybe when I'm 60 I'll adopt a child. Until then I plan on focusing completely on my career because I want to be a Junior Partner in a Fortune 500 company. If you are single with out kids you have a much easier time being a millionaire and I think that is what is most important in life. Besides, I am a feminazi and I don't really think a husband could contribute much in my life." Another response to my answer is said with a sarcastic "Oh, you're one of those." Yeah, I'm one of those. The "one of those" they are referring to is the people found in "The Great and Spacious Building". Just because we like to have our future in our hands and we love the feel of a dollar bill in our pocket doesn't mean us business majors are such bad people ... or are we?

Here are the statitistics from my Business Ethics Class:

When asked "Did you cheat to get into Graduate School?"

–43% Liberal Arts said yes
52% Education said yes
63% Law and Medicine said yes
AND NOW ... Drum roll please ....
75% of people in a Graduate Business Program said Yes to this question.
(The lawyers are even more ethical than "my type")

Another appauling stat:
Convicts in 11 minimum security prisons had higher scores on an ethical dilemma exam than MBAs.

And yet another:
76% of MBAs were willing to understate expenses that cut into their companies' profits..

Let me be completely frank with you. I don't think there is anything wrong with having money. I don't think that people who want to make money so they can live comfortably have anything wrong with them. And I especially don't think that humanities majors have any special insight into whether my building and the "great and spacious building" have any connection. So ... Yes, I am a business major and yes, I plan on being successful. And, even though, my major and my gender (since I have a strong interest in being able to buy as many shoes and clothes as possible) makes me more susceptible to ethical dillemas, doesn't mean I am already doomed to fail. In fact, until you come visit me in the state pen. for committing a major white collar crime and say "I told you so", I think it's fair to say I'm innocent until proven guilty.
•

Just for fun.

2007-01-11T23:14:00.000-07:00

Mostly I am posting this so my parents can see what a weird daughter they have. Yes dad, she wanted me to put the leash on her. In fact she cried when I tried to take it off so we could go home. If you ever want her to stay in one spot and behave, I suggest you use this method. It was the most calm I think I have seen her since she learned how to walk.

Kicking Off Finals Week in Style

2006-12-16T00:02:00.000-07:00

So I don't know about you, but at the end of the semester you just need something to rejuvenate yourself and make you feel alive. Last night my two roommates, Desiree and Kendra, and I were able to feel a little bit younger and celebrate no more classes for the rest of the semester.

It all started while sitting in our front room when I asked if we still had our garbage bag full of newspaper. Turns out the answer was yes. From there we decided we wanted paper shreddings, but how? At that moment I had a brilliant thought ... I have a heavy duty shredder at my work in the Kimball Tower on campus AND I own an "after hours" key to the building. So we dress in black and make our way to the SWKT. As we approach the building I notice a lock missing from one of the main doors to the building. I pulled and the door opened (turns out I didn't even need a key after all). Well we made our way to the 5th floor where we quickly discovered we had forgotten to grab paper to shred. SO we went back down to the main floor and dug through the "newspaper recyle bins" and we grabbed all the unread newspaper in the newspaper bins outside the building. After filling up a 40 gallon bag with cross-cut shredded newspaper we headed to the other shredder at my work (another 40 gallon bag) and grabbed it also. At this point we were feeling very sneaky and getting into this whole "prank" mode.

About thirty minutes later we were standing outside a carefully selected apartment in our ward. We taped a sheet of plastic to the frame of the door and then filled it with newspaper. It was truly amazing ...

Here is our sneaky adventure in progress:

Digging through recycle bins for newspaper

Shredding the paper. (Probably my favorite part of the whole night!)

We have decided we are the closest thing to Charlie's Angels that exists! (Gorgeous, Sleak, Smooth and VERY VERY Sneaky!)

We are up to absolutely no good at all

The beginning of a beautiful masterpiece!

The final touches!

The Work of Art is complete!

As you can see we wrecked havok upon poor apartment #106. However, our prank was short lived as we soon discovered that Adam, one of the boys in 106, was actually not home at the time of our mischief so he came home and found it and took it down before it could fall all over their kitchen floor. But we did get to talk to Adam about how genius we are and we discovered that we have started something which may be way over our heads. Oh well ... let the prank war of the BYU 123rd ward begin! Bring it on!

-Brooke Jean

BYU Police Beat

2006-11-30T10:42:00.000-07:00

(Yes I know this picture has nothing to do with the article but I am basking in the glory days of BYU Basketball!)

As some of you may know, the Daily Universe (BYU's Campus Newspaper) has a small section in it titled "Police Beat". The police beat reports on calls and other incidents reported to campus security. Here is the Police beat for today:

POLICE BEAT

Tip of the Week
It is common this time of year to find an iced-over windshield when getting in your car to leave somewhere. While nobody likes to scrape a windshield or wait for it to thaw, it is important to take the time to properly de-ice a windshield before driving anywhere to prevent avoidable accidents.

Criminal Mischief
Nov.21 - Several residents of Heritage Halls made and detonated an explosive device, causing a small fire. No permanent damage was done and the responsible parties have been identified.

Property Damage
Nov.21 - A female student attempted to get the attention of two male students passing by Fox Hall in Heritage Halls by tapping on the glass window of the lobby. The female student shattered the window with her tapping.

Suspicious Activity
Nov.20 - A female student thought she was being followed by an older male near the Richards Building. The student reported the incident to University Police, who were unable to locate the subject.
Nov.20 - A student reported a suspicious package on the ground between the Nicholes and Widtsoe Buildings. Upon investigation it was found an employee had left the package, full of equipment, unattended between the buildings.
Nov.24 - An individual in Deseret Towers reported five suspicious men playing pool in the lobby of one of the halls. Upon investigation it was found the men were simply students playing pool with their girlfriends.

-Brooke Jean

My Michigan Adventure

2006-11-11T13:58:00.000-07:00

So as it turns out going to bed at 3:00am and waking up at 6:30am can actually be fun! I was able to spend last week in Grand Rapids, Michigan, campaigning for the prospective senator Mike Bouchard and hopeful governor Dick Devos. We knocked on doors for hours at a time encouraging people to go out and vote. As soon as the sun went down we headed back to the headquarters and started making phone calls reminding everyone that election day was on tuesday. We did this til about 9:00pm and then we tallied up all our statistics and went out and put up Bouchard, Devos, Land, and Cox signs all over the city. Then we went to bed and started all over again.

Lucky for me, I was able to slip away for awhile and go out and see a bit of Michigan. Turns out, even though it is bitter cold, it's a gorgeous place (minus the lack of mountains). The thing that I thought was the most amazing was the many beautiful churchs they had all over the state. I could have spent an entire week just going around looking at them all.

While in Michigan I was also able to learn a few things about hot tubs, Arthur Vandenberg, and complete and total defeat. Yes, not only did our republican senator lose by 13 points but the wealthy business man Dick Devos lost as well. And then to make matters worse we watched as the democrats took over the house and took many of the republican senators spots throughout the nation. Talk about a kick in the pants. Anyway, it was an awesome experience that I would never take back and I even made some great friends along the way.

Chrissy, Janessa, Allison, Becca, Eric W., Eric H., Jarom, and Lauren were amazing people to work with and Kit and Clint will hopefully be forgiven someday for scaring my mom half to death. Other than that ... I miss Michigan but I'm sure glad to get some sleep at night. Oh and if any of you want to know anything about Proposition 2 ... I know ALL about it!

Brooke Jean

Life After School Began

2006-10-02T08:48:00.000-07:00

So now that I am writing 10 page single space papers, reading 56 pages per class each night, and sitting through 9 hours of class each day I have found it rather difficult to find anything of interest to write about. My options have been the basics of financial management, the fundamentals of strategic management, maybe a little about work and relationships in the home, and most boring of all the class that I can't even remember what it's called.

But I managed to put some creativity into this mundane life of mine. Two weekends ago I was able to go to a BBQ with a bunch of friends from high school. We remembered some good times and caught up on the lives we have all been living. Michelle and Lance were recently married, Rachel just had her first baby, Jenny came down from Washington to visit for her Dad's 50th birthday while her husband was on business in Alaska, Kjersty is going to school at Weber State now and working at a donut place in Ogden(I can never remember the name ... sorry Kj), Robyn is working at Flying J and dating a great guy named Kevin, Heather left her husband and the baby home and let me know she is moving up quickly at her job, Alyssa is working at Wal-Mart and looking for a good guy to start dating. hmmm .... I think that sums up the majority of the stuff my friends are occupying their lives with. I took a bunch of pictures while hanging out with them, so here they are:

Heather, Robyn, Alyssa, Kjersty, Michelle, Jenny and of course ME!

My favorite friend who lives in Washington and Ben hoping I had aimed the camera so that he wasn't in it! oops!

My favorite Wal-Mart employee ... she is the only good I can find in the company!

The funniest part about this picture is that I took it when no one was paying attention and they are all doing something odd ... to put it nicely

Anyway, Thanks Michelle and Lance for giving me a reason to come see you guys I had a blast! To the rest of you I hope to see you all VERY soon!

My Sister is Queen!!!

2006-09-28T09:22:00.000-07:00

Brinley is doing her "I Love You" sign!

Just a little innocent sibling rivalry

Brinley, her trophy that's as tall as her, her crown, and her sash ... NO, I'm not jealous! ;)

So this past week my little sister won Queen Miss Hawaiian Tropic (The sunscreen) for her age division at our local mall. Now she gets to compete in a tri-state competition in Draper, Utah and if she wins that she will get to go to Canada for a week and compete there. (I haven't even ever been out of the U.S. - Canada and Mexico included - man I wish my mom would have "exploited" me at such a young age). Anyway, I don't have any of the pictures of how cute she looked that day because my mom doesn't know how to get the pictures from her camera to a computer to an email to me! But I just wanted to brag about how awesome my baby sister is!

I hang with the big boys!

2006-09-18T13:45:00.000-07:00

Ummm ... I just wanted to brag about my sighting of Maverick from Top Gun and that he let me take his picture!!! He is actually looking just as young and energetic as he did when the movie first came out!

I know I'm not supposed to get rides from strangers BUT ...

2006-09-17T00:56:00.000-07:00

I go to BYU! So if my mom reads this blog she will probably spaz and drive straight down here to Provo and give me a huge talk about how I am not supposed to talk to strangers and then at the end add how important it is to make friends, but here is the story about getting rides from strangers.

So I live a good twenty minute walk from campus and since my car is no longer working for me every once in a while I have to get to school the old fashion way - one step at a time. Well, on Friday I started on my adventure and decided I would time how long it took to get to school so I would know for next time when I was rushing to get to class.

After about 3 blocks a car stopped and asked me if I would like a ride. I asked them if they were headed to campus and they mentioned they were heading to the engineering building so I hestitated, quickly went over every lesson I've ever learned growing up, realized there was no candy involved and made the assessment that the situation was safe. Besides, I didn't have a "bad" feeling about it and I was wearing cute high heels so I knew if I walked the entire way I would be taping bandaids to my feet again.

I got to campus in record time, said a gazillion thank-yous and watched the stranger drive away in the distance. Shortly after getting out of the car I realized what an idiot I was. I have always been taught to be careful and avoid situations that could lead to trouble ... so what if they weren't bribing me to get in the car with some lollipops ... so what if my feet were in danger of yet another scab ... so what if I would get to school 15 minutes faster. Now I am kicking myself in the head thinking what an idiot I am and yet at the same time I am wondering if I would do it again. I am always wanting to stop and ask people if they want rides to campus because I know how it feels to have to walk so far. I guess it would be harder for me to say yes to people if they weren't so clean cut, nice, normal looking people in such a "good" place.

So mom, just so you know ... I don't usually get rides from strangers. I would say no to a stranger if I was in places such as Seattle, Ogden, Roy, Detroit, New York City, etc. yes, I will always be looking for the "bad" feeling before accepting a ride with strangers in Provo and no, I cannot gaurantee that if offered I will not accept a ride from another complete stranger, sorry! I guess I just have to say, Thank goodness for the Utah Valley Bubble!

My car is the epitome of disappointment

2006-09-12T09:28:00.000-07:00

This should be a short and simple post - mostly a warning of my possible sour mood.

I have retired my Dodge Neon as of 9:14am on Monday September 11, 2006. On Tuesday the 5th of September I gave it the benefit of doubt and put $33.00 of gas into my car so that it could brake down about 4 minutes later. It has started and died several times since then but my dad came down to Provo on Saturday and helped me fill up all the fluids and said he thought it would work for at least a little while longer. I think the clinking, high-pitched squeels, the leaking anti-freeze, and then the ultimate death of my car were all signs that he was wrong. I would consider fixing it ... but in all honesty I hate that mutilated little piece of crap and I don't think putting even ten more dollars into that car will be worth it. And so .. It will sit in my apartment complex parking lot until I can get my parents to come back and take it off my hands.

Goodbye my half painted, rusting, broken down, unreliable, accident prone little car. I hope your time at the dump is as full of laughs and good times as the last 4 and a half years have been with me running you into the ground!

The Day the Buildings Fell

2006-09-11T13:19:00.000-07:00

The second post by Kjersty Elizabeth Martinez Olson

Marching band practice was my reason to be awake so early. 6 am was way too early for a Junior in high school to be awake, but I voluntarily agreed to put myself through it. It was very dark outside and very cold. I had arrived a few minutes early so the quiet morning was still mine. The stars were so bright against the dark sky that is seemed like the most perfect morning. This morning was like no other morning I had ever experienced, it was amazing. I would later find out that this morning truly was like no other in my lifetime, but for every reason opposite of what was going through my head at that point.
At the other end of the country at that moment while I was standing in awe of the beautiful night sky a building had been crashed into by an airplane. I had nothing to complain about that compared anywhere close to what the people in New York were going through, but I was the one selfishly complaining about having to wake up early and be out in the cold.
Math class was where I learned about the massive tragedy that had just occurred. I sad watching the television that I thought played a movie, but in fact it was reality. I didn't, or couldn't comprehend what the news reporter was telling me. Why would they say such things? People don't attack our country, this had to be some sort of accident. It was at that moment that I witnessed the second plane crash purposefully into the second building.
My class watched in disbelief. Silently we sat, beginning to wonder if we would also die that day. Some cried, some got angry, and everyone wanted to call home to make sure their families were still okay. I just continued to sit quietly refusing to believe what I just saw. My eyes had to have been deceiving me. There is no way that people would dare to attack the United States of America...NO Possible way! The World Trade Towers, which I had never even heard of before this day, were pouring out smoke over the whole city. People were running and screaming like they would on an intense action film while we watched glued to the screen with a small grin on our faces knowing that it is just a movie. The scary part was that this wasn't a movie and we did not have grins on our faces. We had horror-stricken faces as the first tower started to fall. All the people in that building were dyeing and we were watching them die. All we could do was watch. There were people jumping out of the windows from the very top floor. They said it was raining people. I don't know how it would feel to have things be so extremely bad that the only logical answer is to jump out of a 110 floor building window. So many people were dyeing at that very moment, thousands of people, but I could do nothing, nothing to help them get out, nothing to ease their pain. Then the other one fell. How many people would have to die that day? People were comparing the severity of this even to Pearl harbor and the Civil War. Sad as this much destruction is, it wasn't the only bad thing that was happening. The pentagon had also been hit. A huge chunk of it was smashed into an unrecognizable void where more people died. That was when I heard the name Osama Bin Laden for the first time. How was it possible for a man to be capable of creating mass destruction to our country and we had no idea that he even existed? Shouldn't we know about these sort of people?
The emotions were just running continuously through my brain as if it kept happening over and over again. For all I knew, they were coming to kill everyone that day. We have one of the biggest air force bases in the U.S. right here in my own city. Maybe they would destroy it as well.
The day the buildings fell down I saw countless unimaginable things happen at my school. I saw people comforting people who they never would have even talk to before. I saw some popular, 'tough' guys cry, Most importantly, I saw people care for this country and for God again. Everywhere I went after that day the marquees on buildings said 'God Bless the USA' and the American flag was flying in front of every single building and most houses. It was like the fourth of July, except it was every day for at least a year. It was amazing. The terrorists tried to break our country apart, but instead they created more unity and pride for our country. Those people who died in those buildings were like heroes who mended out broken country, and the fire fighters who both lived and died were like super heroes who helped so many people live that would not have lived otherwise.
I know there is a lot of controversy over war or no war, but the fact is that if we could remember the way we felt that day when we sat and watched that second plane hit the building, I am sure you would remember why we went to war in the first place. You can't mess with this country and expect us to stand back and watch them bring the war here. We had to keep it away from us. Do you want to live in a place where you can hear constant bombings and fighting going on just out your window? I don't.

-Kjersty Elizabeth Martinez Olson

Dreams Come True!!!!

2006-09-06T13:24:00.000-07:00

You will have to excuse the grammar/ organization of this post. When I begin talking about Hawaii I become so scatter brained that it's quite ridiculous. I think I started dreaming of my vacation to Hawaii when I first muttered the word "Aloha" (Which would have been around two years old since my baby sister says it beautifully). At the age of 19 I began to set aside money for the specific purpose of going on a trip to Hawaii with some of my dearest friends the next December. After two months of scrimping and saving my best friend's car broke down and all her savings went toward getting it fixed. My Hawaii dreams were postponed and so I spent my entire savings on something to help cheer me up a bit. At 20 I decided my college apartment bedroom could use some color so I took 100 pieces of the brightest colored paper I could find and cut them into hundreds of strips. Soon I had created a chain about 30-40 feet long. I attached the two ends together and hung it up along the walls in my room with a sign above it that said "Days til Brooke goes to Hawaii". Whenever I would show people my room they would comment on my chain and I would tell them I planned on going someday but it seemed like a lifetime away. Since then I have also bought some beautiful poster pictures of the Hawaii landscape and I have hung them in room to make me feel as though I have a bit of paradise in my room with me (which helped sometimes when I was having a less then splendid day).
About three weeks ago I found out my younger sister, who plays for Dixie State soccer, would be going to Hawaii to play three Hawaii teams. I was jealous beyond all belief until my mom mentioned she would be going along. At that point I "demanded" (Ok, really I begged, nay, groveled at my parent's feet) that I would get to go along as well. Two days later my dad, 13 year old sister, mom, and myself all had plane tickets to Hawaii departing on August 30th.
It all happened so fast that I had to remind myself on several occasions that I was actually getting on a plane to go to Hawaii in a few days. Before I knew it I was at the airport waiting for my plane and then I was actually flying over the ocean on my way there.
Now that I am back in Utah, I look back and it seems as though it was all a dream. But I have proof that I was there: LOTS AND LOTS of pictures. As some of you know it takes a good hour to go through all the pictures I took and so it's been hard to narrow down which ones to post but here are some of my favorite pictures I took while in Hawaii.

I wouldn't have been here without them so I had to add a picture of my new favorite people in the world!

This picture was taken at "Sunset Beach"

This was one of my favorite things we did while in Hawaii

We had a similar experience to Chick's Cafe at this less then lovely restaurant so I thought I would post a picture to protect you from making the same mistake we made.

Sunset seen on the beach of Waikiki

The Punch Bowl Cemetary overlooking Honolulu

United States Flag as seen from the inside of the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor

Unfortunately I was unable to get any pictures of our snorkling adventure because I left my camera in the car all day but I thought I would make a quick note that you CANNOT go to Hawaii and not go snorkling at least one day. It's like going to the Zoo and refusing to look at the animals. So now that my dream of going to Hawaii has come true, it is on to dreaming about a trip to Australlia (and now it doesn't seem as unrealistic as it did before)!

-Brooke Jean

My Ode to the Fall Television Program Schedule

2006-08-28T13:41:00.000-07:00

Although summer is by far one of the greatest seasons of the year, last May I found myself wishing the spring would last just a little while longer. Within one week, everything that gave me purpose for waking up in the morning was gone. Michael Scofield, Jim and Pam, Dwight Schrute, Jack Bauer, Kate, Sawyer, and Jack, they were all to be put on hold as the summer approached. I became so close to these people that they were nearly my dearest friends. I laughed, cried, loved with them and lived vicariously through their lives. Jack Bauer inspired my purchase of a shot gun (ok not really but I do like pretending I am as stealthy and stylin' as him from time to time). Michael Scofield encouraged me to remember my allegiance towards my family - even if that means pretending to rob a bank just so you can go to jail and spend the last few months with your brother who is on death row and try to break him out. Kate inspires me to be incredibly hot because as my co-worker has pointed out on several occasions "she's in incredible physical shape, she has striking hazel eyes, a cute nose, an appealing smattering of freckles, and curly brown hair". What's not to like about that? Sawyer has taught me how to make people hate me just by looking at them. Jim and Pam have embolden America and made it possible for hundreds of people to see through their layers of friendship and take a chance at something more. Doctor Jack has made me realize that sometimes when all you have is a jungle for supplies you can still perform a successful operation. And last but surely not least, Dwight Shrute has demonstrated that it's ok to talk without thinking about what you are saying. In fact, he has made the office nerd the new cool thing to be. (See Paul it's not bad to be considered a Dwight replica).

Now as the summer comes to a close I am hesitant to enjoy the fall but I am ecstatic at the chance to become reaquainted with my long lost friends. I will lose my life to school and these people. But I will live my life through them once again and I will feel as though I have lived a life that others could only dream about. I will once again be reunited with my longing for a massive shootout, the office humor, the adventurous polar bear infested island, and the psychological thinking of those trying to escape the law. Thank you for making the transition from "Summer fun" to "Fall fiasco" a little better and a little easier to live through.

To all my friends I have made throughout the summer ... I am sorry but you have been replaced. My true friends are back!

"Motivational" Poster of the Week

2006-08-27T21:06:00.000-07:00

Favorite quotes from the summer

2006-08-21T07:38:00.000-07:00

This summer has been lots of fun and there have been some great quotes and conversations that have come out of it and I think that they need to be posted online, again! I'll probably be adding more from time to time til the summer is over!)
"Hey why don't we go get us some drinks ... then we can say 'We don't drink, foo' and throw our drinks on the ground and then the bartender will go 'You still have to pay for those'".
well stated by Ben Newman

You're going to twist my quote all around so it is going to say something like 'I like boys' - love Ben Newman instead of anything even remotely close to what I said!

I like Boys!
- Ben Newman

Dating in the ward is like peeing in the swimming pool ... after you do it you still have to deal with it.
-Someone in my FHE group

I think getting married will be so much fun I plan on doing it a couple times.
- Ben Newman

You have to always look your best because you never know when Google Earth is updating!
-Ben Newman ... again.

There are only a few persons in the world whom I would call for a ride in the middle of the night from, you, and my mother. I hope that makes you feel terrific that I would sacrifice your sleep for the handiness of your sometimes unreliable car. YAY for you.
-Kjersty

I would be so embarrassed if I was a pink mummy. I would hope no archeologist would ever find me!
-Benewman

Me: I could be an ear model
Ben: No, don't! The money will go to your head and then you wont be as good of a Brooke.

BRING ON BRING IT ON AGAIN AGAIN!
-Alyssa A.

Mormons don't have to get drunk to do crazy things; we just do them and accept the fact that we're crazy.
-Best quote of all time to describe me!

It was the Beth Berthday ever!
- My favorite Apodaca

Like, this is genuine can't breathe freakin' outness!
-me

You're like blue meat in the middle of brown bread!
-Alyssa!

I AM IN LOVE WITH SHOT GUNS!! And since it's my right as an American citizen, I WILL own one.(This was said shortly after an amazing experience with Mr. Black)
-Alyssa Apodaca

Brinley (my 2 year old sister): Where's heaven mommy?
Mom: Way up in the sky
Brinley: I need a very big ladder den

Doug: (while trying to get Ben to notice that he has finally shaved asks this question) What do you like most about my face?
Ben: Ummm .. your lips
Doug: Jamen, What do you like most about my face?
Jamen: I'm not answering that! (Ben, this is how you should've answered that question, just for future reference.)

It's about time!

Doug is famous for stating this phrase within 45 seconds of any girl showing up in his apartment: "Wanna make out?"

Infomercial for the magic bullet:
"I hate broccoli"
"Vernon, try this and tell me if you can taste the broccoli"
"I can't, it tastes great"

For those of you who go to BYU you will appreciate this quote:
"I think we need to have a DTFR ... you know, Determine the FACEBOOK Relationship.
-Ben

Will you tell Mickell that now that I am using facebook I will have to communicate with her solely through the internet. I am unpersonalizing my life!

(If this conversation doesn't make sense ... then you read it right!)
Person 1: It's because I haven't been shivering as much lately because I have been hanging out with a certain hot person that I'm not losing weight. He told me that's how it works and I believe him.
Person 2: What?
Person 1: You know, shivering makes you lose weight ... I'm not shivering which equals me not losing weight. Either I should quit hanging out with him or I should just accept my fate.
Person 2: I think you need to be admitted into a psych ward.
Person 1: I would love to be in a psych ward, I bet they get all psyched up every week before church.

"Motivational" Poster of the Week

2006-08-20T09:42:00.000-07:00

If only this was an accepted norm!

Reasons I hate moving

2006-08-15T17:30:00.000-07:00

I am once again running out of options as far as housing goes and my contract is up on Saturday. Last year I spent 4 weeks sleeping on friends' couches while trying to find a place I could call home for the next year. This year I am determinded to have a place to live by move out day ... I hope.

Why does it take me so long to settle on something I know I wont be happy with anyway? Here is a little insight into my mind while looking at apartments. (p.s. the picture to the left is my future place of residency - I am going to be a hairy forest girl after all).

1. I will not sign a full year contract. I will probably end up living there a year anyway but I refuse to tie myself down like that "just in case" something else comes up.

2. New roommates ... I have a 99% chance of living with someone who does something that annoys me. In fact change that to 100%. Some people have personalities to compensate for their drastic annoying habits but I don't really want to be the one rooming with the dramatic, hyper-sensitive, high maintenance, boy stalking, morning person. I mean, you sign a contract and you have no idea what type of people you are going to be stuck with through the ups and downs of the coming year.

3. New Ward ... New ward = New callings and new responsibilities. I am finally getting the hang of the calling I was given 9 months ago.

4. Packing and Unpacking. I start out trying to organize everything while packing then I realize I have 20 min. until the "cleaning lady" comes to make sure I have everything moved out so I have to pack 85% of my things by throwing them into boxes that will end up having the bottom fall out on them within seconds of picking them up. And then the unpacking ... where do I put all my stuff?

5. Rent. I have to pay rent for a place I think is too small, too smelly, too dirty, too far away from campus, too spider infested, and too old for my liking. Oh and most importantly the rent is always WAY more then I would like to pay.

So, I am trying to find a place to live that has a working stove, a running dishwasher, a fridge big enough to fit 8 people's worth of food, a lack of spiders, a decent amount of parking, reliable internet, a good cable hookup, and a big room for all my clothes. The worst part is, I should be able to find a place like this for a decent price. But .. not in Provo. Instead I have to pay 350.00 a month so I can be crammed into the smallest room of a house so far from campus I almost think I need a private helicopter to get to class on time. And so, my house hunt continues.

At least I know there are others out there like me. I wish you all the best of luck!

The Other Side

2006-08-07T12:49:00.000-07:00

A few years ago I worked for a dentist office. While the Doctor drilled into their little mouths I got to hear the cries of several kicking and screaming children from the front desk of the office. Each time one of these children would start throwing their tantrums I would roll my eyes and think that the parents of this child needed to whip their kid into shape and make them realize they are only making it worse on themselves by screaming while the dentist is drilling into their teeth.

I have had this perspective for almost three years now, but today it all changed. I had my first cavities worked on today. After getting the numbing shot of novacaine jabbed into my lower jaw I was ready to go home. As luck would have it the shot got clogged and it had to be reinserted two more times. After the first jab I began whimpering like a little puppy and I longed for the ability to scream out and stop this madness. Unfortunately, my pride got the better of me and I continued to sit in the dentist chair making only small sighs and low toned moans while he drilled nonchalantly into the lingual side of my M1 molar.

I will never again roll my eyes at the screaming child in the dentist chair. They are much, much braver than myself. They deal with the dental situation in a way that every adult wishes they could. Kicking and screaming really does make some situations better, and the dental office is on of those situations. It's nice to be on the inside looking out and to finally see why the tantrum is such a better way to go. Then again, I think avoiding cavaties in the first place is the best way to go. Let's just hope I don't have to go back for at least another 21 years.

-Brooke Jean

Recent onset of Insanity

2006-07-31T11:05:00.000-07:00

Dripping sweat, sleep deprived, blistered feet, sand covered legs, strange funky sunburn and sore muscles from head to foot. This is what I get as a result from thinking it would be fun to climb to the top of Mount Timpanogos. Lately, I have had a strange fetish with doing athletic/physically enduring activities. I think my fetish has come to an end.

Saturday morning I woke up at 5am to the sound of my roaring alarm clock. I rolled out of bed, poured myself a bowl of cereal, braided my hair, loaded my little backpack with all the "healthy food" I could find, and then I looked at myself in the mirror and thought, I am completely insane and I am going back to bed. Just as the thought came into my head there was a knock at the door and I no longer had the option of backing down.

Before I knew it I was stumbling out of the car half asleep and hoping it wouldn't be as bad as I had heard. Unfortunately I decided to go on this hike with three guys. Being the only girl I felt I had to prove myself and all other people of my gender by handling this extreme outing with ease and never slowing down the males! Within a few minutes I was gasping for breath and trying to make small chit chat without letting them hear my wheezing between words. Just as I thought I could not make it another step without my lungs exploding we reached the first mile marker. A beautiful waterfall that made for a perfect picture and an even better resting place. (Thank goodness for photo opps. That was the only things that got me breaks along the way).

Things slowed up a little. Speedy Gonzales, also known as Roland, trekked on ahead while Ben, Kenny, and myself set a little more relaxed pace. After 4 hours and 30 minutes we reached the top and I thought the hike was very much worth every minute of torture we had just been through. I basked in my success and felt as though I was one of the most accomplished people in the world. I continued to enjoy my newest accomplishment until Kenny said something about heading back.

"Woah, hold up just one second. No one said anything to me about having to go back". My mental state collapsed and I swore I would rather become a hairy forest girl then walk all the way back to where we had started. However, once again my pride got the better of me and I realized I had to continue on my quest to prove myself to these men.

To make a very long and torturous story short, we made it back to the car an awful 8 1/2 hours after we had begun. My feet are still sore, my back still aches, and my sunburn feels like it will never end. But I definitely feel like a better person and I learned that I really am just as good as any guy. I never once asked those guys for a break and I have done something that everyone needs to do at least once in their life. So now that, that is said and done ... Remind me never to do it again.

-Brooke Jean

"Motivational" poster of the week

2006-07-30T16:00:00.000-07:00

Brooke Jean

My goal!

2006-07-28T01:19:00.000-07:00

Every New Year people waste countless amounts of paper writing down their New Years Resolutions just to forget or begin to slack off come mid-february. I decided to postpone setting mine until the end of April. By doing so I am able to say that I am still fulfilling my new years resolution in May! (No one needs to know I didn't start it until April 30th.)

My goal: The stairs! (See picture)!

If you have ever been on Brigham Young University's campus in Provo, Utah, you know that it is on top of a hill. Coming from the west or south of campus leaves many wishing they were still in bed at 8am instead of climbing up the 150+ steps it takes to get to their first class of the day. My goal was and still is to run up these stairs every day on my way to work. I have run up them in rain or shine; heels, wedges, flats, flip flops, tennis shoes, and many more have carried me up this sometimes seemingly endless flight of stairs. Recently the biggest struggle with this goal is that Utah seems to be going through a heat wave. Since I usually go into work around 11 or 12 in the afternoon the heat almost kills me in the two blocks I spend driving my crappy car-which has no A/C-from my apartment to the student parking lot found at the bottom of the awful hill.

I have not yet let the heat break me from my goal, but after today, after stumbling into work completely out of breath and gasping for cool air I had to wonder if this goal of mine is really getting me anywhere. The purpose of my goal was to help me be able to make it to the top without being out of breath by the end of the summer. It seems like I am more out of breath now then I was when I started this little "work-out" plan. I don't know if I am doing this because I have a point to prove or because I am like Jack Bauer and I just like enjoy doing things the hard way. But no matter the reason, I am running up those stairs tomorrow in my stilletos and I am going to go into my office and I'm going to wonder to myself why I just ruined my hairdo and created a massive amount of sweat just to complete a goal. I'll continue wondering this until I regain my normal oxygen intake rates and then I will forget about it until Monday when I will repeat the awful process agian.

Yeah I'm panting like a wild hyena that just got done chasing it's prey! So what? Did I mention I am still fulfilling my new years resolution and it's almost August! I think the satisfaction I get from that statement alone makes all the pain and embarassment worth it!

Brooke Jean

Chick's Cafe

2006-07-23T20:44:00.000-07:00

It was another one of our saturday adventures. We had planned on going tubing down the Provo river but instead ended up going to lunch in Heber City. As we drove down main street we decided that we would eat at a "hole in the wall" because they always have the best food.

After about 10 minutes we decided to eat at "Chick's Cafe". As we were walking from the car to the restaurant some interesting people (interesting = I was scared for my life) were encountered. I second guessed our decision of going to this place and then realized that it just so happened that these people were making a visit to the city Liquor store and thankfully not Chick's! After sitting down at the table the server brought us our napkins and silverware. Just as the server walked away, my friend Ben looked down at his napkin and found a rather disturbing surprise. (See picture with silverware and napkin). If you would like to see the grossness in all it's glory I suggest clicking on the image to make it larger ... but if you would just like to take my word for it, which I suggest if you are eating or planning on eating anytime soon then just glance and continue reading!

Most normal people at this point would decide that eating here was a bad idea and they would leave, but not us! We are brave but more importantly we are starving college students and that gives us the right to disregard the fact that the rest of the meal could be a disgusting disaster or worse deadly. So I tried to push the image of the gross nakin out of my head and continued trying to pick out an entre from the menu.

After enjoying delightful chit chat, some fun picture taking, and consuming my salad and all but two bites of my hot chicken fry burger (which, come to find out, was not chicken at all) I looked at down at what I had assumed was a well cooked burger just to realize I had been eating a piece of meat so rare the animal was basically still alive. I started feeling a little nauctious but came to the conclusion that I am a poor college student who can't afford to waste even two bites of a meal. So I finished eating and then hoped I would survive long enough to tell the tale. Let's just say that next time I am just going with the regular nasty fast food restaurant.

-Brooke Jean

p.s. So far Kjersty, Sara, Ben and myself are all still doing fine. If there are any further complications from our meal I will definitely let you know.

"Motivational" poster of the week

2006-07-23T20:18:00.000-07:00

The man, the castle, the storm and me

2006-07-21T13:10:00.000-07:00

This story was written on a rainy night last school year while a friend and I took turns adding a sentance to the story. I apologize if it doesn't make sense or if the grammar is horrible.

The Man, The Castle, The Storm, and Me!

It was a dark and stormy night when a stranger, lost and alone, wandered into the almost abandoned castle. I was the only other person present and I knew nothing of his entering for a long while after he had come. Although his coming was unexpected by himself and me, it was pleasant and long awaited. The presence of a friendly face in a storm can never do anything but good. I was conscious yet cautious of his presence as he moved about the palace waiting for the rain to cease.

I settled with the idea of having a stranger be a mediocre friend to talk to when I was lonely and nothing more. I refused to open myself to the idea of someone actually saving me from this castle out here in the middle of no where lost and nearly completely alone. When the dark clouds receded and the bright skies appeared I felt a fog of despair fall over my head at the fact that he no longer had need to be sheltered from the storm that had brought him here for so long. As I was entering the castle as he was on his way out, but he lingered a little while longer. He had already made his plans to depart but I couldnt help but wish for one more moment with this man of mystery.

I asked him to come inside for a cup of hot chocolate before he left. We sat and talked for hours and hours, he told me of his aspirations and plans, and I told him of my troubles and explained the reason I was out here in the middle of no where. I grew fond of his listening ear, and he of mine. He no longer wanted to see the sun but wished to linger in the castle much longer. Everything he wanted to see was already there. Alas, he had to go, there was no other choice. There was no way to stop his voyage from continuing as planned. As the time grew short he grew distant, afraid of becoming attached and breaking his heart or mine. He stayed only a few more days, but the days seemed empty and I longed for substance and a knowledge that he would return for me someday.

The day came, he left and I spent many hours even days in the castle alone weeping with sorrow at letting someone so special slip through my hands before I ever had a chance to know if I was in love. The days seemed so long after he left. His days in the foreign land so many miles away from me were full of knowledge, but empty of passion. Each day left him longing for a feeling he had only experienced a long time ago in a forested place far from reality. And so he returned to the place of solitude to rescue me, the one he had searched for so long, yet didnt realize who I was until it was too late. But now, now we travel the world hand in hand. Its the story of happily ever after. The story of trial, heartache, pain, and longsuffering; and all ends with a happily ever after.

The End

Written by Brooke Huddleston and Kjersty Martinez

....

And that is what we do on rainy nights when there is nothing to do.

- Brooke Jean

Things I learned while in Seattle

2006-07-17T10:50:00.000-07:00

I know that by choosing to live in Provo, Utah I have also chosen to partially isolate myself from the reality of the real world. I recently took a trip to Washington state for the first time to visit a friend of mine and I quickly realized how isolated I really was. My first day in Seattle was spent opening up my eyes to things that I'd never imagined.

1. There are pay by the hour motels. Now being from Provo I have to ask this question, What in the heck is a pay by the hour motel good for? I can't even imagine staying at one of these. I would get a horrible night sleep if the whole time I was thinking, "Oh man, I really should just get up even if it is 4 am because if I sleep another hour I'm going to have to pay for it". That just doesn't seem like fun to me. At this point my friend would point out that this hotel is located in the heart of the "seamstress district" (I will explain what this is also.) I then turn a little red and begin to understand the meaning of a pay by the hour motel. Dirty!

2. The seamstress district got its name from all the "women of the night" claiming to be seamstresses on their taxes. After the government saw how many seamstresses there were they decided to tax everyone owning a sewing machine. When they went out to find sewing machines to apply the tax to they only found ONE sewing machine in the whole area. Hmmm ... go figure!

3. The Summer Solstice Parade is something you want to avoid if at all possible. I would include a picture of this event, however, I think many of you would find it extremely inappropriate. The Summer Solstice Parade is an event that allows people to ride their bikes around town completely naked. Many of these people choose to paint their bodies to make it look like they are wearing clothes but some choose just to let it all hang out while they make their way around the streets of the Fremont area of Seattle, Washington. When I first heard someone mention the Summer Solstice Parade I thought it sounded like a good way to enjoy the longest day of the year, I'm glad I got "The facts" before I actually went to the event.

4. If you toss fish to eachother hundreds of people WILL crowd around you with their cameras to get a glimpse of the action. I think that anyone who has ever been to the Seattle area knows exactly what I am talking about. If you visit Pike Place Market the first stand you come to is a giant fish stand where literally hundreds of people are crowded around just waiting for someone to order a fish so that the employees can throw it around and wrap it up to go! I will admit that I stood there for a minute and then I realized that people throwing fish just wasn't that entertaining to me so we continued on our way.

5. There are actually vehicles that transform from road vehicle to boat in a matter of seconds; it's like a dehydrated meal ... just add water! These vehicles were designed to be a tour of seattle. They are rather inexpensive and yet they do a great job of telling you some of the great and not so great facts about Seattle and the surrounding area. This tour is great for people who live in Seattle, live by Seattle, or live all the way across the country. They tell you lots of facts and make the tour fun and exciting. I would suggest doing this just so that you can experience the vehicles, but the rest of it makes it fun as well.

6. Taking pictures of road signs is always more fun when you are in a different state. I don't know why, but it seems as though every time I leave the state of Utah I "waste" half my pictures on road signs. One way, Wrong Way, Do Not Turn On Red, I am not quite sure why these signs are so much more appealing when I am out of my State, but they are. I was also able to take pictures of about 15 different state license plates. Someday I am going to look back and wonder what the heck I was thinking taking all these pictures, but until then I love it!

The Definition of Google

2006-07-12T12:24:00.000-07:00

In order to define Google, we must first understand that Google is a word originated from the the word googol. The definition of googol is

n. The number 10 raised to the power 100, written out as the numeral 1 followed by 100 zeros.

The founders of the Google search engine chose this particular word, googol, as the originator due to the implication of the vast amounts of knowledge and storage it provides.

Main Entry: Google

Part of Speech: verb

Definition: to search for information about a specific person through the Google search engine

Example: "She googled her high school boyfriends."

Etymology: trademark Google

Usage: googling n

Source: Webster's New MillenniumÂ Dictionary of English, Preview Edition (v 0.9.6)
Copyright Â© 2003-2005 Lexico Publishing Group, LLC

Main Entry(2): Google

Part of Speech: verb

Definition: to search for information on the Internet, esp. using the Google search engine

Example: We googled to find the definition of the new word.

Etymology: trademark Google

Usage: googling n

I remember the first time I used the phrase "Hang on, let me google it". At first people thought the phrase was strange, then it caught on and people everywhere began to use it. Now, google is a word in the dictionary! I am truly speechless

Brooke Jean

"Motivational" Poster of the Week

2006-07-09T16:08:00.000-07:00

Undiscovered Talent!

2006-07-09T12:44:00.000-07:00

It appears as though Ben, even though he hates the attention, was born to be America's next top model. He was discovered while resting on a broken tree up Provo Canyon near Vivian Park. Upon seeing him I immediately started snaping shots and was able to capture some of the most amazing poses of all time.

Wanted by the Paparazzi!!!

2006-07-07T15:20:00.000-07:00

Have you ever felt like you are constantly being followed and watched? Do you feel like you need to think about every move you make before you make it? Do you fear that what you do next will be recorded permanently in history by a photograph or a short video clip? I DO! There is a person who follows me constantly and photographs me at my worst times. She wouldn't be considered a stalker necessarily because she is my friend and she has permission to be around me. As I walk down the street, go shopping, change into new clothes, do my hair, or as I am just sitting there in a normal conversation there is always a fear of the words I say or the way I look being recorded for everyone on the internet to see. I now know in a small scale what celebrities feel like on a daily basis. I know my pictures will be shown to everyone she comes in contact with. Which would be fine if all the pictures she took of me looked half way decent. They unfortunately are not. There is never more than a 5 second notice in advance that a picture will be taken, sometimes there is no notice at all and I am permanently posed in a picture with the wind blowing up a size 3XL T-shirt like a balloon so I look like a morbidly obese freak forever (see picture to to the left)!!! I do however enjoy the attention. There is a certain feeling of satisfaction that I get from having someone want to take pictures of me. Although, I am not the only victim of her paprazzi tendencies, I am one of the people who are subjected to it the most. And so I put an end to this blog by giving this advice...Beware of the words that come out of your mouth so freely, beware of your surroundings, beware of the people who surround you, for you never know who is watching and recording what you say and do. It might come back to haunt you.

- KEMO
(Pictures provided by BJH)

Top 10 strangest websites/articles

2006-07-03T10:02:00.000-07:00

As I was browsing the web at work I stumbled across more then one strange website. So, in no particular order, I present to you my choice for the top 10 strangest websites. If you feel you have a better one for the list feel free to leave a comment with the website you think I should add!

1. I have actually stumbled across someone's top 10 ways to destroy the planet earth. It includes in it the number of times earth has been destroyed, the number of plans currently in progress with the final aim of bringing about the Earth's destruction, the minimum amount of time until the Earth is destroyed by natural means (discounting total existence failure), and the minimum amount of time until the Earth is destroyed by artificial means. It provides you with the tools needed and the method to follow in order to bring about the complete destruction of the earth.Link to this article

2. This website is actually titled "Weird Websites". It has links to about two dozen random websites you'd never think of visiting on your own but you might want to have a look if you are ever bored. Weird Websites

3. Someone is asking us to send them a penny. That's right, just one simple penny. Their goal is to receive one million pennies which would equal 3.2 tons and would add up to $10,000.00. Can you imagine the look of the bank teller who has to deal with that fiasco? There is even a mailing list you can sign up for. Support his cause!

4. Ok, the website itself is not strange or weird however, the concept is completely unbelievable. I would try to explain it but my words will not do it justice. You have to see it to believe it!

5. Did you love your Mr. Potato Head? Do you find Michael Jackson's ability to change his appearance, remarkable? Then this is the site for you. Dress Michael Jackson's Face!

6. A website loaded with up-to-date news that you probably don't care one bit about. This site includes the coolest Dixie cup sculptures you will ever see, an article on poor school kids going hungry because there's no profit margin in providing lunches, and the article on Alyssa Milano designing baseball gear - which means it's stylish, sleek, and utterly useless for playing baseball. It's Fark.com

7. In need of a therapeutic treatment? Are you bored of working? You can use this website to entertain you for hours. Or it just might drive you completely insane! Either way, you have to check it out. The key to viewing this website with complete success is sound. Turn the sound up and enjoy!

8. Ever wonder what type of dumb laws are lingering in your state constitution from the 1700s? Well here is the site that tells you all the really dumb laws for the fifty states and a couple of other countries. Dumb laws

9. This website was chosen based on the movies he has posted. You have to click on the "movie ticket" and then just sit back and enjoy some of the strangest little clips you have ever seen. Dave Mathis' Website!

10. What would the top 10 strangest websites be without a link to the Darwin Awards. It's just too easy to make fun of people anymore. Darwin Awards - That says it all!

"Motivational" Poster of the Week

2006-07-02T15:47:00.000-07:00

A little insight on finding the silver lining during all our trials:

The W.W.S. attacks again!

2006-06-26T12:13:00.000-07:00

Although the title says it all ... I will just say one more thing. What was once a place of happiness and solitude has now become my nightmare which I must struggle with everyday. How is it that one person can turn a state of ecstasy into the most loathed situation of all? You may not think it possible, but she accomplished it in a matter of days! For those of you who know nothing of which I speak you may think I am exaggerating, however, I am unfortunately stating nothing but the complete truth. My life of luxury was condemned the moment she walked through the doors. The Wicked Witch of the SWKT has had her way with us! The End

Brooke Jean

A day in the life of a crappy car owner!

2006-06-23T17:48:00.000-07:00

After attending a business meeting in South Salt Lake City, Utah, William, Ben and myself piled into the worn and beaten car excited to get home to Provo. After about ten or fifteen minutes on the freeway Will looked down and noticed steam coming from his hood. He didn't think much of it because he'd just had his water pump replaced two days before. However, after a few more minutes he became concerned and noticed that his temperture gauge was above the H (for those who don't know much about cars ... his car was overheating). Panicked, he pulled off the next exit and while waiting for the car to cool we grabbed some grub and put a gallon of water in the car.

After about an hour we jumped back in the car and headed on our way. We made it about two exits before realizing the car was overheating once again. While anticipating the next exit a strange knocking sound on the underside of the car started (If you can imagine a small angry gnome clinging on to the bottom of your car trying to get your attention - that is what this sounded like). We pulled off the freeway into an abandoned parking lot in the middle of nowhere (American Fork/Pleasant Grove). At this point we decided it would be more convenient to call someone and get a ride. As we waited I pulled out my handy dandy little camera and proceeded to take about 75 pictures and about 10 videos. After blinding Ben and Will and making them do way too many poses that I will someday use as blackmail Will's friend Jayli showed up to save the day. Finally after 2 and a half hours of this car adventure we were able to make it home in one piece.

This is what is continuously happening to people who own crappy cars. We must make time in our lives to spend stranded on the side of the road. Had I been a proud owner of a VW Jetta, I may have perhaps been annoyed by the lack of air conditioning and the fountain of steam coming out of this car. But I own a Dodge Neon ... I have spent more than enough hours on the side of the road to know that if you don't give yourself at least 2 hours to drive 35 miles you will end up missing something important. That is the life I know and will know for many more years to come. I don't complain, I just ask those more fortunate than myself to understand when I don't make it to an event as promised or when I arrive more than a few hours late that it's always the car's fault. ALWAYS!

The all-knowing quiz!

2006-06-06T11:10:00.001-07:00

You Have A Type A Personality

You are hyper, energetic, and always on the move
You tend to succeed at everything you attempt
And if you don't succeed at first, you quickly climb your way to the top!

You could be called a workaholic, but you also make time for fun
As long as it's high energy and competitive, you're interested
You have the perfect personality for business and atheltic success

Do You Have a Type A Personality?

Good thing I have a test to tell me what I am like. I wouldn't be able to figure it out any other way.

Brooke Jean

Kick me when I'm down

2006-06-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

I was going through a rough moment when I decided to relieve all my built up frustration and anger by ripping on people I knew. As I started to comment on how I hated the way Mark dressed, the way Beth did her hair, the way Kara never bothered to ask questions about how my day was, and the fact that Paul just couldn't figure out how to use a Q-tip on those ears of his, my dear friend knowingly smiled and handed me a piece of paper with something written on it. As I started to read I realized that the knowing smile was in fact the exact opposite. It was a leering grin of triumph over my sour mood.

The paper had the following poem on it:

I Know Something Good About You
Wouldn't this old World be better
If the folks we meet would say-
"I know something good about you!"
And treat us just that way?

Wouldn't it be fine and dandy
If each handclasp, fond and true,
Carried with it this assurance-
"I know something good about you!"

Wouldn't life be lots more happy
If the good that's in us all
Were the only thing about us
That folks bothered to recall?

Wouldn't life be lots more happy
If we praised the good we see?
For there's such a lot of goodness
In the worst of you and me!

Wouldn't it be nice to practice
That fine way of thinking, too?
You know something good about me,
I know something good about you.

-Unknown

As I finished reading I looked up at his still grinning face and managed a "Well ... at least I ...". I couldn't think of any come back. Not only did this make my sour mood a little bitter as well, but I had to admit that he was completely right! Although the words were inspiring and it got me to think about my friends a little more nicely, the least he could have done is joined in and made a little fun as well. All I have to say is ... Way to kick me when I'm down!;)

Brooke Jean

College of Nursing Highlights

2006-06-05T13:40:00.000-07:00

Day 1:

1. There are a total of two people working in the office today. This can be either a good thing or a bad thing depending on how much time I can waste playing online kid games.

2. We have hired a new secretary across the hall who, as luck would have it, is already beating the four of us in this office in the "relationship department".

3. The newly hired secretary has a husband who has a guy friend she needs to set up on a date ... The problem is that there are so many single girls at work, so he gets his choice from hundreds (you have to remember we are all working at the club for single/and divorced women of all ages). New meat in here is like sticking a dead rabbit in the middle of a flock of starving vultures. The result will not be pretty.

4. I just overheard a phone conversation that confirmed the fact that "The Wicked Witch of the SWKT" will in fact be taking a vacation to sunny California. Although she does not quite deserve the vacation ... a vacation for her equals a vacation to the rest of us stuck here in the office all week. I have one word to describe my feelings ... YIPEE!

#5. I got a job interview at HealthComputing Enterprises as a PT Receptionist for almost half the pay that I am making right now - but it's 20 more hours I would be working a week so I am not going to complain.

Please note: These highlights are posted out of sheer boredom. If you would like to keep me as well as several others in this office from contemplating suicide for 9 hours a day post comments, send quirky pictures, email me, find me a make out buddy, or all of the above. Have a great day! Try not to have too much fun!

Brooke Jean

Crazy Deranged Man!!!

2006-06-02T15:37:00.000-07:00

Craziest thing happened ... I am sitting here at the College of Nursing working my life away when a strange man in a deranged psycho killer outfit wearing earmuffs comes in with a little radar gun of some sort and just walks around all the rooms and offices not bothering to notice confidential meetings and such taking place. People say hi in a "what the heck are you doing coming in my office" sort of way, but he fails to acknowledge that anyone or anything other than his little radar gun exists. I believe it was one of the highlights of my day ... and it could very well make the top five highlights of my week!

Brooke Jean