My husband has hilarious friends from high school. It is always a riot when they get together. Two of his good buddies from high school, Jared and Jeff, are getting married on the same day, November 11, 2011 or 11.11.11.
Pat really wants to attend both weddings, but since one is in Colorado and the others in California, it's not possible.
Pat used Facebook as a tool for him to make this difficult decision. See the hilarious conversation that followed....
There has been a lot of hype about "Mormon's" in the media these days. With the success of "The Book of Mormon," the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, the recent NBA draft of BYU's Jimmer Fredette, and the entry of Mormon politician's, Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman, into the Republican primary field, it seems that Mormon's are all the buzz these days. I guess you can say this is "The Mormon Moment" as Newsweek stated on it's cover of a recent issue. The cover shows Mitt Romney's head photoshopped over an image from a poster for the play "The Book of Mormon."
How do Mormon's feel about all this attention? I can't speak for anyone besides myself, but I think it is just plain exciting. I guess it all goes back to the old saying "There's no such thing as bad publicity."
For some reason The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is a greatly misunderstood church. Throughout my life I have been clearing up misconceptions and answering questions about Mormon's and their beliefs, which I greatly appreciate the opportunity to do so. Due to the fact that "Mormon's" are currently in the limelight, many doors have been opened for others to have their questions answered regarding what I believe, and I LOVE it.
Some of these questions and misconceptions include: -Do you believe in Jesus Christ? (The answer to this is a profound Yes! Mormon is our nick name, and this question can be answered if one knew the real name of our church, which is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.) -I didn't know you could wear makeup. (Why yes. Yes we can) -Do you worship Jon Smith? (The correct name is Joseph Smith, and no we do not, we worship Jesus Christ. We believe that God has always had prophets to communicate to people, like Moses and Noah. We believe he continues to communicate to us through prophets today. Joseph Smith was one of those prophets God chose to help bring back all the teachings that Christ's taught in their purity.more>>>) -How many moms do you have? Or how many wives does your dad have? (One.) -Can you cut your hair (yes) and do you have to wear skirts all the time (no)? -Do you believe in the Bible? (yes) -Why don't you live in Utah? (We live everywhere. Over half of Mormon's live out side the United States) -Are Mormons and Amish the same thing? (Nope) -Are woman suppressed in the Mormon church? (Nope. We actually have the oldest and largest woman's organization in the world) -Are you Christian? (Yes! See above. Christ is our Savior and central to our beliefs)
I am often the first Mormon they have ever met and people are often shocked when they find out I am Mormon. I do not know what they expect Mormons to be like, but apparently I am not it! haha I believe this is why The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has launch their new advertising campaign.
Through research, the Mormon Church, "identified that almost half of the people in this country say they know nothing at all about Mormons, with many saying they do not know any Mormons personally. "
This was troubling to church officials who felt that "the best way to understand Mormons is to meet and come to know us," Since they couldn't arrange to get more Mormons to live in more neighborhoods around the country, church strategists decided to harness the power of the internet in general, and social media specifically.
"We determined to use mormon.org to help people get to know our members...the campaign directs people to the website, where thousands of members have created profiles about themselves describing their interests and how Church teachings and practices make them who they are."
They have recently launched this advertising campaign here in New York City with a billboard in Times Square and a few hundred advertisements on taxis.
It is exciting to see how the Mormon church is getting the message out how Mormons come from all walks of life and are Christians.
I liked the quote in an article that interviewed a few people on their impressions of this Times Square Billboard:
"'It's kind of neat,' said Dowd Timmerman, 35, of Augusta, Ga., who was staying at a nearby hotel and said the ad was one of the first he noticed in the crowded square. "I guess anybody can be a Mormon."
Monday night I had a girls night out. This wasn't your typical watch a chick flick and eat bon-bons girls night out. This was a dance your booty off, sing 'til you lose your voice and laugh 'til it hurts girls night out.
Once again, amazingly creative Rubi made my night when she planned an awesome night out with the girls karaoking. However, this was not your normal night out to the Karaoke bar where you get to sing a song or two and then watch some strangers who are wanna-be-super-stars sing their hearts out hoping to be "discovered." Rather, this was a rent your own Karaoke private room for 2 hours and have the time of your life as you sing your favorite songs and make a total fool in front of your friends kind of night. Much better.
The night was a total blast as I realized what an ABSOLUTE horrible singer I am, listened to Ashely's DEAD-ON Jessica Simpson impersonation, swore that Cher was actually with us singing in person, and took mental notes of everyone's dance moves.
With all the singing and dancing we worked up a quite and appetite so we ate some YUMMY Korean BBQ to top off our very Asian-esk evening. Nights like this get me wondering why I don't do stuff like this more often. Thanks everyone for such a memorable and hilarious night.
This past weekend we gave Montee his first bath. The breeder said he didn't mind the water, but I was so shocked when I saw how easily he took to being in a tub FULL of water. Actually, as I was filling up the tub he came and started drinking the water, then jumped in all by himself.
I think he really liked being in there because the water was so warm and he loves being warm because he is always so cold without any fur.
I am so glad that Montee likes his baths, because I have heard and read a lot of horror stories about sphynx owners and trying to give their cats a bath. Since we have to bathe Montee once a week, the fact that he actually enjoys them is going to make everyones lives much happier.
People blow me away. I am always so amazed by peoples skills and talents. Saturday night was one of those nights, where I was constantly amazed by the skills, kindness, talents, and creativity of others.
Our friends, Rubi and Stanton are moving away to Paris. We were invited to their going away party, thinking it would be a simple gathering of friends to see them off. But boy, were we WRONG! Their going away party was the most extravagant, creative, and fun party we have ever been to.
As we arrived at Ryan and Kimberly Simmon's apartment, we were directed to their rooftop. As we entered the roof top we saw clothing lines of 30+ stripped shirts. At first we thought their neighbors must have a thing for stripes, but then we were told to pick a shirt and put it on. After we put on our stripped french shirts, we were came upon a table full of black and red french berets and scarves. There was a full length mirror there so we could assemble out outfit and of course put on a french mustache.
As we came around the corner of our dressing station there was a dance floor constructed from PVC pipes, paper decorations, balloons, and lights. French music was playing with the back drop of giant blown up pictures of French tourist attractions and Rubi and Stanton's faces.
Tables with french food, desserts, and non-alcoholic french drinks lined the roof along with chairs that was were cleverly decorated with stripes shirts as well. Every little detail of this party was taken into consideration from the napkins with the Eiffel tower stamped onto them to candy cigarettes that were passed out to give us the "real" French experience.
(The amazing party planners who made it all happen. They are such a HOOT)
During the night we danced, laughed a lot, ate, and took pictures. A photo station was set up with the back drop of the Eiffel Tower and the moon. We had different props to work with such as a baguette, a French flag and a giant red balloon. We each posed as couples, individuals, and groups for Rubi and Stanton to have pictures to remember us by.
The whole night was a TOTAL blast. I can't remember the last time I had so much fun. I was in awe of the whole experience. Unfortunately these pictures do not due the party ANY justice. It was simply magical. It was the perfect party to see Rubi and Stanton off.
Rubi and Stanton are by far the most creative couple I have ever met. It seems as if they were made for each other, as they each see and experience life in such a unique way. Rubi is a VERY talented hairdresser and Stanton is a creative in the Advertising industry. In addition to their creative jobs, they always have something unique up their sleeves.
Stanton makes his own leather shoes and bags. Rubi is a skilled photographer with vintage cameras, you know the ones that use FILM. Film? What is that!
The list of their creative projects is endless from street art to photoboother.com (a website they created that transforms your boring digital photos into cool vintage photobooth strips). There are so MANY MANY more creative projects that they are always working on that they are always so humble about. I am always finding out new and interesting things about them, as they never "brag" about all their talents, even though I wish they would! There is not doubt in my mind that both Rubi and Stanton are "goin' places" in this life, because it seems that they have already "arrived" and have life figured out. The more I think about it, the more sad I get about them leaving. I wish had more time to get to know them and have them rub off on me a little bit more. They are truly an inspiration to others to follow your dreams and expanding the talents God gives to each person, yet, truthfully, it seems that God really gave them more talents than others.
No expense, time, thought, effort, or talent was spared when it came to see our friends Rubi and Stanton off on their was to France. The Simmons, who I do not know that well but hopefully will get to know better in the future, really went above and beyond in creating a night Rubi and Stanton (and everyone else) will forever remember.
Rubi and Stanton New York is going to miss you. France take care of them for us.
Todd and Casey just saw my blog post about bowling. I just received this picture in my email, which made me laugh so hard. I didn't even notice Todd's FREAKY face until they added the bloody machete. Perfect addition. Thanks guys for the good laugh!
This past Friday night we went BOWLING! That is right...BOWLING! When is the last time you did that? It has been a while for us, but it brought me back to my childhood when, in my little town of Moraga, the only thing to do was to go to the bowling alley. I have many fond memories of that bowling alley, which was torn down several years ago.
Anyways, a few months back Groupon, had this bowling deal where you got $40 worth of bowling for a discounted price. Our friend Casey bought into it as well so we planned on going together. However, the month passed and our Groupon expiration date was quickly approaching. With Pat working so much and Casey being really busy with her booming fashion consultant business, Buttoned Up, I thought that we were never going to go. However, we finally made it work this past Friday.
With Pat working so much recently it was so nice to get out and be with friends. We always have such a great time with the Mathenys. They are always such a hoot and are SO much fun to be around.
I am always a little nervous to go bowling because when Patrick and I were dating we went bowling several times and have been several times after we got married as well and every time we bowl I beat him. I am really competitive when it comes to beating Pat, so it is always a little nerve racking being that I might lose my awesome title of "The Best Bowler."
The game started out as it always does--I do really well the first half and then gradually get worse. Pat does really bad at first and then gradually gets better. This leaves us neck in neck come the last frame. However, this game was the closets we have ever been. The score was so close that if I didn't get three strikes in a row in the last frame I would have lost, this is known as a "Turkey" in the bowling world. I was really nervous because I have never done this before, but knew I had to do it because I could NOT have Pat beat me.
With total concentration I bowled the last frame and got one strike. Again I bowled with more determination and concentration and got another strike! I realized that I might just win! With my last bowlI gave it all I got and God must have been smiling down on me because I got the third STRIKE! I had done it! I beat Pat once again. This made me very happy. As seen in the picture below.
(Left to Right: Todd, Sidney {Casey's younger sister that is staying with them for the summer}, Casey, Lindsay, Pat)
After bowling we walked along the High Line, which is a gorgeous elevated that stretches from the Hudson Rail Yard at 34th Street down through the West Chelsea. The pathway is lines with grass, bushes, flowers, and trees. It has great views of the both New York City, the Hudson River, and New Jersey.
We ended the night by experiencing an interesting installation artwork that had giant balloons, called Rainbow City, and eating from a group of food carts in an area right below the High Line. Nights like this really make me appreciate New York City. You can always find new and exciting things to see and do that you never even planned on.