Getting Ready for Valentine's Day

Ryan just wrote me this poem:

There is a sexy girl I know
She searched for me both high and low
And when she found the one she loved
She thought he was sent from above
At first she thought he was the best
In time she found him like the rest
And yet she loved him just the same
She even took his own last name
Their life together they did start
And he loved her with all his heart

I am excited for Valentine's Day! Our ward is throwing a Valentine's Day Dance the night before (it's so gonna be a blast from high school past). Did you know the night before Valentine's Day is Friday the 13th? What a great opportunity!

Here's my party ideas:
Decorate with black and red roses, candles to set the mood, serve heart shaped chocolate brownies with ice-cream covered in strawberries and strawberry syrup, play a game of truth or dare or battle of the sexes, and watch 'The Corpse Bride' (a very nightmarish, love story)!

What are your party ideas for a Friday the 13th Valentine's?

Books made Movies

Right now I'm finishing the second book in the Inkheart series, Inkspell. They just made a movie called Inkheart (with Brendan Fraser) and I saw the trailer. The books are really good. They have drawn me in pretty well and I really like using my imagination as I read them and becoming part of the story. However, the movie looks only vaguely related to the books. In the books, (not giving anything away), there are people who can read characters out of and into books. The books focus primarily on the real world and the world of a book called Inkheart. But, the movie Inkheart looks more like the Wizard of Oz, and the plot and characters look completely different.

So, my thought on movies like this (and Eragon with which I was sorely disappointed), is that they should come up with another name, and then say that they are loosely based on the novel. Then people don't go into the movie expecting one thing and get something completely different.

Or, I think Journey to the Center of the Earth did a good job explaining early on in the movie that it wasn't a movie of the book, but a movie of a guy (Brendan Fraser again) who loved the book and tried to prove that the book was real. There there wasn't any confusion as to what the writers were doing.

In conclusion, books are much better because the are active and allow you to use your creativity and imagination and become part of the story and make it your own. Movies passively show you what some person or group of people feel you want to see and restrict your imaginative freedoms. Thus, while both have their place in the entertainment world, books are better.

PS - I highly recommend the Inkheart books.

Tag, you're it!

In my previous post I participated in the tag "Seven Random Facts" and talked your ear off about me, but didn't say much about Ryan as that would take a whole other post. Well, here it is!

7 Random Facts about Ryan
by Melanie

1. Ryan is smart. He wants to do well in school and comes from a family that values education very highly. Being a law student is hard work and takes dedication and diligence, especially staying at the top (he's in the top 15%). He was part of Law Review and his paper was chosen to be published. He received a Cali Award (#1 in a class). And he gets disappointed when he gets a b+ (which is still amazingly good, especially since there is no such thing as an A- at DePaul Law School). He understands most anything and is constantly explaining concepts to me. He's not only a brainiac, but he has common sense, political sense, budget sense, etc. He's all-around smart!

2. Ryan doesn't like to brag. That's why I'm writing this blog because I have no problem telling you how great he is. I'm sure when he reads this, he'll be a bit embarrassed but also silently pleased because he does work hard and deserves recognition. Sometimes because he doesn't want to make a big deal of his accomplishments, he forgets to even tell me things because he doesn't want it to seem like he's bragging. It's a hard balance to state your accomplishment but still stay/seem humble. Ryan does a very good job at this (I should be more like him, but I just like bragging too much, especially about Ryan!).

3. He's a great friend and a great support system. He pushes me to accomplish my goals and helps me whenever needed. Ryan is great to always do what I want to do too. He will watch chick flicks and listen to teen pop if I want. Actually, if this morning is any indication I think he likes it and is starting to just use me an excuse. He wouldn't want to lose face. This morning I was listening to my new aerobics cd and Ryan kept playing the same song over and over again while singing along. The song was 'See you again' by Miley Cyrus.

4. Ryan loves to play sports but he's not competitive. As far as skill level goes, he's very competitive and is really athletic. But his personality just isn't competitive. He is content to play sports just for fun and never gets fired up about bad calls, cheating, or losing. I've come to really appreciate this mellow part of his personality; it helps calm me down. I think it's good that in this respect, opposites attract. Which is the perfect combination because it prevents us from really fighting. He really is perfect for me.

5. Ryan thinks he's a picky eater, but he isn't. He is really funny with what he eats. He will tell me that he doesn't like certain food, or if it doesn't look good he doesn't like it, etc. But he eats anything I give him! I think it's just in his mind. For example, he would say he doesn't like Cottage Cheese, but he will always eat it. One time I gave him some that I was eating and he thought it was so good he wanted more. His reasoning was that he liked it because it had the large curds (just like all the others that he supposedly didn't like). I'm starting to suspect that if he's not in the mood for something, he decides he doesn't like it, so then in his mind he thinks that he really doesn't ever like it. Such a funny boy!

6. Ryan is talkative. Some of you may not believe it, but it's true. He can be quiet in groups or around people he doesn't really know, but when he's just with me he never stops talking. He tells me about his classes, current events, things that bother him, or any random thing that pops into his mind. I think it's great that he feels he can share anything and everything with me, but he gets worried that he talks too much. Never! (I like listening to him, but I admit I sometimes tune him out:)

7. Ryan is ticklish! I always thought I was way too ticklish, but I think Ryan is even more so. And it's really hard for me not to tickle him sometimes because when he laughs it soooo funny! I can't even describe it, though I wish I could. One time as I tickled him instead of laughing he said 'giggle, giggle.' It was hilarious because he really didn't know that he was saying it. Of course, I'm the only one allowed to tickle him, but I'm more than willing to do so at anytime.

Well, there you have it. In conclusion, Ryan is a wonderful, fabulous, caring and loving husband.

Tag catch up!

So I was tagged by two people quite a while ago and because I was so busy I never did them. But now I will!

Tag 1:
Jennifer tagged me on the "4th Picture" tag. Rules: Open your pictures file and select the fourth folder. From there, select your fourth picture and tell a little about it.

This picture is of Ryan and me at Garden of the Gods in Colorado. If you look closely you can see my little bro, Blake on the left side of the picture. Ryan's little sister, Amy is taking the picture. This was taken in July 2006 when Ryan and I were dating. This was the first trip I took during our long distance courtship. (and it's a good thing I went when I did because some other girls were trying to step in on my territory since I wasn't around to defend it. But no more worries because I have since trained Ryan how to defend against such attacks when I'm not around:)

Tag 2:
I was also tagged by Monica

1. I can't roll my tongue! You know when you say a word and you trill when saying 'R', I can't do it. I've tried and tried and my tongue just won't loosen up. I usually just end up spitting everywhere and sounding like I'm growling.

2. I love to read! I love fiction novels that I can just disappear into. And not only do I love reading but I love actually owning my favorite books. I don't know why, but knowing that they are mine just makes me happy. Let's just say I have way too many favorite books.

3. I secretly like Hollywood gossip. Shh, don't tell anyone. I think it has something to do with my vanity and wanting to one day be in a movie (just as an extra). I know, my heads in the clouds and I will no doubt be mocked for this little tidbit in the very near future.

4. I'm terrible at math! Okay, maybe not terrible because I can do it... eventually. I guess I'm just really slow at it. It is not one of my strong points and I know it. So when asked to do math on the spot, I freeze up because 1. I'm slow 2. I know I'm slow and bad at math 3. I still use my fingers 4. I still don't know the answer, man am I slow 5. Whoever asked the question usually has it figured out by now. Well, no more worries!

5. I love cooking and baking! I like making good food. Though most of the time it's nothing fancy as I'm a country girl through and through and I'm happy with some good dumplings:) I love baking bread, rolls, scones, muffins, etc. However, there are a few things wrong with my joy of cooking. I hate doing the dishes and hate cooking in a dirty kitchen. I also love to eat what I cook, hence when I cook I usually overeat and eat way too many carbs. Someday I will find a balance.

6. I'm a self-proclaimed aerobics instructor. I have never been certified, but I taught water aerobics for Utah State University and volunteered to teach kickboxing and boot camp for a Relief Society group in Hyde Park. It's becoming quite a successful little group. I enjoy it so much that I am finally succumbing and getting certified next month. Now maybe I can get paid to teach.

7. I like talking about myself! I've realized while doing this post that I could go on and on. I'd love to tell you how I'm a cowgirl and retired rodeo queen; that I love sports and enjoy sometimes being the only girl playing so I can show up the boys; That I can't stand being unorganized. If fact, I will constantly create calendars to account for every hour of the day and what I'm doing; I'm obsessed with blogging and reading blogs, so yes, I do visit your blog and read it; I'm more like my mom than I'd like to admit, though I like myself and my mom so I guess it's okay; I have a bad habit of being jealous, especially when it comes to sharing my husband; or how I'm spontaneous and change my opinion daily. I really think that's part of the reason I have no clue what I want to be, even though I am grown up. Or why I have a love/hate relationship with my job, clothes, Chicago, etc. Okay, I probably should stop now, but I did warn you that I like to talk about myself. (I also like to talk about Ryan, but I'll save that for another post)

I won't tag anyone since I'm so late getting to this, but if you would like to do either of these tags please do. You know I'll visit your blog and read them if you do:)

Inauguration Day!

America making history again!

Barack Obama is now the 44th President of the United States! At work we were able to take a break and watch the ceremony. It was really cool to see and experience since I can't really remember ever watching the President's inauguration before.

Some randome things I noticed or learned while watching Obama's inauguration are:
Obama was sworn in using the bible that was used to swear in Lincoln. This is the first time it's been used since Lincoln.
They don't give records of how many people attend the President's inauguration, but it's rumored that today's broke all records in number of attendance.
Michelle Obama gave Laura Bush a 'going away' gift. (I think that's very recommendable)
Any time a picture of Bush or Cheney is shown on the tumbo-tron, the crowd starts chanting "Obama! Obama!"
Some people were getting 'Obama' tatoo's in DC (CRAZY!)

Anyway, it must be crazy in DC right now. I'm glad Obama will be there instead of here.
Aretha Franklin sang the National Anthem and her hat was awesome! Then they swore in Joe Biden as Vice President, had another musical number, then swore in Obama as President. After which he gave a really good inauguration speech. But my favorite part of the ceremony was the benediction by Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery. Toward the end he prayed that "The Red Man will get ahead, man. The yellow, will be mellow. The white will embrace the right..." And so on. It was pretty clever and made me smile (even if it was a little 'reverse racism'). I guess God would appreciate some humor too, prayers don't always (and shouldn't) have to be boring.

I want to know if you watched it and what was something that stood out to you?

Winter Time in Chicago

If you've never experienced a Chicago winter, count your blessing! Winter time her is cold and miserable. Not to mention ugly. I mean, usually when it snows it creates this beautiful winter wonderland of white. That doesn't last long in the city with the thousands of people trudging through it, cars and buses everywhere and just the general city dirt and grit.

Because we live right next to a lake, it's really wet too. Which means that after it snows, it kind of melts and gets everywhere. Then temperatures will drop and the wind will pick up and freeze everything so there's ice everywhere. In fact last winter, our entire parking lot was frozen over with ice and the wind was so strong, that if I just stood and braced myself, the wind would blow me across our parking lot without me having to move at all. (which was fun, just as long as I didn't need to get back the way I came)

This is what Chicago has looked like this week. Lots of snow!
But you want to know the worst part of a Chicago winter? The wind! I know we live in the 'Windy City' so what else should I expect, but I will never get use to wind blowing in my face no matter which way I turn, and biting through my coat, sweater, and clothes making me wonder if I forget to get dressed in the morning.

This week's weather has been cold, with the wind chill factoring in at -30 degrees. Tomorrow is suppose to be the worst day yet with the high being a total of 1 and the wind chill -30 or more. Sounds like a perfect day to stay home, right?

And of course, this is the after effect of a Chicago winter. Makes for a fun bus ride. If you sit in the back of the bus, you may even pop all the way out of your seat!

New Year Resolutions!

Since every year it's a tradition to make New Year Resolutions and I am still resolving to do the same thing every year, I wanted to finally get serious about them. The first thing I did was to look it up in Wikipedia.

A New Year's resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit,often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. the name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year's Day and remain until fulfilled or abandoned.

"Fulfilled or abandoned?" Seriously, I'd like to know how many people can claim either with any New Year resolution that they've previously made. Anyone? Maybe it's just me. I often wonder if I set my goals to high, am I just a perfectionist who isn't happy with anything but perfect, or am I just really that bad at getting things done? I really don't feel that I can claim 'fulfilling' most of last year's resolutions. But I will not claim 'abandonment' either. I do admit I'm a procrastinator, but I have never given up. I guess this is why I keep resolving to the the same thing every year. Well this year I plan to fulfill my goals.

Ryan and I were a little slow setting our New Year resolutions. But we finally did it! We decided to organize our goals by using the following categories: Physical, Spiritual, Intellectual, Social, Professional, Home and Family. We also want to make it a point to have a monthly FHE where we will track our progress and reevaluate our goals. This will hopefully keep me on track to fulfill my resolutions. So here is our list for 2009! (Don't feel obligated to read all of it, but maybe if you know what we're up to, we'll have to be more accountable for our goals.)

Also, I will continue to work on my 10 personal goals to do before I turn 30. I only have 4 years so I need to make every year count. Maybe this year I'll run a marathon, become a makeup artist, and fit into my skinny jeans! Maybe I'll get to go to Italy too (Ryan: hint, hint). As long as I do 2-3 a year I should make it.

Good luck fulfilling all of your New Year Resolutions!

Holiday Greeting!

(This is the first of 5 new Holiday posts! Don't forget to read them all below and check out the pictures)

Dear Friends and Family,

We hope you all have a fabulous New Year! This year we finally got around to sending out Christmas Letters and I wanted to share it with all of you, if we happened to overlook you when we mailed them (or it got returned to us like a couple did).

Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year!
We’re writing to update those both far and near.

Ryan’s done well in his school so far,
Now let’s all just hope that he passes the bar!
He has one more semester before he graduates,
Then off to Virginia, where our future awaits.
Mel pays the bills, that’s how we’re still here,
She’ll start makeup school in the new year.
We try to stay busy; it’s not all that hard,
As you can see from our Holiday card!

Chicago’s still windy and cold as can be,
We’re counting the days ‘til we get to flee.
Don’t get us wrong, we’ve had a good time,
But we’d like to leave the corruption and crime.
Big city livin’ does have its perks,
Ryan plays Runescape while Melanie works.
We like the museums, the tours and the sights,
Sears Tower and Broadway are totally tight!
The buses are nice to get us around,
(we won’t miss the weirdos, the smells or the sound)

Chicago is different, it’s big and it’s rough,
Don’t believe me, then why’s our governor in cuffs?
Bidding on senate seats is now out of fashion,
It’s anyone’s guess what’s going to happen.
If corruption’s no longer the cool thing to do,
Maybe we’ll see an honest politician or two.
Is Obama that man? Who can tell, no one knows.
His secret service sure get in the way wherever he goes.
Around here they sell memorabilia by the ton,
There’s so much of it, the stores are glad that he won.
We see enough of Barack on his way to the gym,
I don’t know about you, but he’s already slim.

But more about us, it’s that time of year,
When family and friends bask in holiday cheer.
We’re glad we have you in our life to share,
The precious gift of love Christ has to bear.
We hope you enjoy this wintery season,
Of love, joy and hope, and remember the reason.

Who knows what adventures our future will hold,
We wish you could be there to see it unfold.
We don’t write that often, we should be much better,
So check out our blog and pretend it’s a letter :)


We hope you enjoyed our letter and that you enjoy our blog:)

(Remember to continue to scroll down and check out our new Holiday Blogs as we have updated quite a bit recently)

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Colorado Christmas!

After spending Christmas Eve and Christmas morning in Utah with Mel's family, we went to Colorado for Christmas evening with my family. We had lots of fun during our stay.

Here we are at Palmer Park. We played sardines, kick the can, and gray wolf. We also played gray wolf in the dark at a park near my home. It was way fun. It was freezing cold and icy, so there were quite a few injuries, but nothing serious. Mel got a bruise on her hip the size of my hand, but she bruises easily, so nothing special there. She fell and did a face plant in the snow when she was chasing people with Amy.

Another Christmas tradition is Seven Falls. We went after Christmas and there wasn't any line! Usually there's a line that can take over an hour just to get in the park! I remember when I thought the steps were so huge, but now that we live in a 21st floor apartment, they're not so big. It's 186 steps up to the shop at Seven Falls, and 265 steps up to my apartment.

Us in front of the bottom fall.


The falls in color!


An ice hole in the bottom fall.


John, Josie, mom and Amy


An ice sculpture of a bear.


Ooh, so cool! (get it, cool?)


Mmm, me and Mel, how cute! It took Richard 3 tries to take this picture.

Mom set up a ton of stuff for us all to make gingerbread houses. Well, they were really graham cracker houses, but same thing. Ours was way the best! We had to hoarde the candy we wanted for our house because it kept getting eaten!

The whole setup.


Amy's Dorms!


Carly's Conference Center! Notice the greenery on the roof. I think she thought she got to eat it as soon as it was done, so she started piling on candy that she wanted to eat.


Our Mansion! Highlights include the ice fishing bear in the front and a Happy Holidays flower garden in the back. It's also 2 stories and has horses.

Hope you all had a great holiday season. I know we did!