My brother can now kill people and bring them back to life

Here is a photo post of our trip back to CT for Michael's graduation. We also visited NYC and Boston. Patrick, Michael, and I had such a great time together. We played like we were kids again, but so much better cause we love each other now and really enjoy one another's company. I miss both of them so much. I wish we could all live near each other and play like this more often. I know Patrick missed his family a lot while he was there, but I'm sure glad he came even though the rest of the crew couldn't. And, I'm so proud of Michael for this awesome accomplishment. Love you both!!

Books, Books, Books, and Kolaches!!!

I've had a very openly scheduled summer this summer. As you have already read I've been able to go on a few adventures (not even all of them were written about, I know it's a crime but Shanna You're the only one that is disappointed) and I've had time to take up my favorite past times again. READING!!!! I know some people have never been fond of reading, but I'm not one of those I don't get 'those people'. I have gotten so wrapped up in reading that I will sit and read in plane guts, sitting on plane tugs, I even sneak away into the women's restroom and sit and read. Now, I know you're telling me that's probably tmi right now. However, there are two couches in the women's restroom so I choose the most comfy one and sit and read for many many minutes. And the same group of people is always right outside the door at a table talking. I only imagine what they have thought about my frequent escapes into the restroom for such extended amounts of time. It's weird though, I'm starting to feel smart again. I even learned a new word from my last book..... Syphilitic. They were talking about someone being dafter than a syphilitic polecat. Hmmm, I never thought of polecats being at all syphilitic before that point. So, the point of today's entry on here is to list and rate some of book readings from this summer. Very ambitious you all say, aloud, to know one but your computer screen and syphilitic polecat... it's actually much less ambitious than the pile of laundry that needs to be put away. So, here starts the listing, and I know and expect that none of you will agree or even care how I rate such matters. But, alas....

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and someone else.....4 stars. Very clever and funny, and something very boylike to do. I wish I had thought of doing something like that to make football more interesting for myself.

Catcher and the Rye by J.D. Salinger....on a scale of 1 to 10, it gets an 11. Much like the great artist Bon Jovi. My new favorite book. I love it!!!
Franny and Zooey also by J.D. ...entertaining. Loved the characters.
Raise High the Roofbeam, Carpenters and Seymour, an Introduction. Another Salinger one. (there is a pattern here folks) Flopped after the wedding. I'm sick of Salinger using the same storyline for his books.
Nine Stories by Salinger (His last book for me to read) I got sick of the New York setting in this one. I love the writing style of Salinger. I just wish he could have put his characters in some other city once in a while.

Farewell to Arms by Sir Ernest Hemmingway. 3 stars, maybe 3.5. I got frustrated with the simple sentences that the author used. And, I'm not one to notice that sort of thing so it must have been very frustrating to people who do. But the story was enough. Tragic ending.

1984 George Orwell. I wasn't let down with this one. I find futuristic stories great. And, I hate big brother. I was so mad at this ending.

Fahrenheit 451....two thumbs way up. I loved this one as well. As far as futuristic stories goes, Ray Bradbury did a marvelous job. I was so enthralled the whole time.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians series of 5.... Clever, light and enjoyable. Rick Riordan captured the reader's attention. Yes, they were juvenile reading levels.... but I learned so much about Greek Mythology from these books and he made the characters real so I actually remember the stuff.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Loved it! Another 11. I couldn't put it down. Another tragic one.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. Murder mystery that was intriguing, but very violent, and much about sexual crimes. Rapes, murders and that sort. And too much of it. (If I'm saying that there must have been way too much) I won't be reading the other books. But, did teach me my new word and just found out the author was born Stig Larsson but changed his name cause his best friend had the same name and they didn't want to be confused. Fun fact!

Slaughterhouse Five. I read this one trying to figure out why it has such a great following. I never found out. I give it the bronze. Not that it's third, but it's not the best and not second.... but not the worst either.

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins... 4 out of 5 stars. Entertaining, capturing. Reminded me of the Lottery.

The Summons by Grisham. Boring. Rarely have I left a book unfinished. I got 3/4 of the way through and didn't care who was the criminal following the hero around.

This is an incomplete list of my reads, there were more and there are still more to come, but I don't want to rate any more. I find this is enough of my opinion for one blog.

On a much more sider note I want to report that I have found a new love. His name is Johnny Kolache. He has stolen my heart and my palate. He prances around his store giving his samples of kolaches and cinnamon rolls and tells all the ladies that Johnny would make the best wife ever. The philly cheese with jalepeno (my newest love. I can't get enough of jalepeno at all. I order it wherever I go) is to die for. If only I could take Johnny up on being the best wife. Here's the link to his website. I encourage the masses to go. But, since my three readers are in New Mexico, Houston, and stuck at home in Provo I'll just post it so you can dream about them. Except you Ms. Houston. You have them there. http://johnnykolache.com/

Awesome August, in a Nutshell

So, I have missed a couple other trips/adventures in the past few weeks. I went to see Pat, Jen, Jonas, and Mimi a few weeks ago. It was exactly how I imagined life would be as an airline employee. Morning of I woke up a few minutes early, threw a bag together, went to work. As soon as work was done I listed for the first flight to them. Called up Jen and told her that I'd be there in a few hours and was this okay? Yes! I was on my way. As Pat and I drove up to the house we were met in the driveway with a very heart warming welcome. All foot and a half of Jonas was out in the driveway putting everything he had into waving us home. The biggest smile he has and the best wave I've ever seen. I've never felt such excitement for me to arrive anywhere. I know it was really all for his dad, but I'll take some of it for me also. Well, we spent the next few days playing with cars, trucks, and cartrucks. Also playing soccer. And, eating ice cream. Jonas melted my heart all weekend. One night he and I were sitting sharing a bowl of ice cream and either P or J asked him a question about bed. He looked at me and gave me the "are they crazy" look then turned to them and replied, "I happy." We had a lot of fun that weekend bonding. Mimi is a beautiful little girl. I'm lucky to have her in the family. She is already quite the addiction. (I meant to type addition, but when it came out addiction I decided to let it stay because that is the truth as well.) When the weekend ended and it was time for me to go Jen and the kidlins took me to the airport. Well, both of them had fallen asleep on the way there so I didn't want to wake either to say goodbye. I got on the plane and flew home. When I arrived though, I was met with a voicemail from Jen telling me that when they got home Jonas went into the room where I was staying, saw that neither me or my things were there any longer, sat down on the floor and cried. Not that I usually take pleasure in making children cry, but I'm happy about this one. Means he loves me! Anyway, a very fun and awesome weekend spent with the family. I can't wait to see them all again. Who would have known growing up that Pat and I would enjoy each other's company?

Okay, next weekend played out a little similar with planning. But, I went a little further East. I decided I'd fly out and see Michael in CT before he left the place. The original plan was for Jen and I to fly out and see him, and the especially to see the place he hates so much. Well, Jen and Mimi couldn't make it due to a terrible no good Thursday that had long lasting effects. Well, Michael picked me up and away we went. We went to an awesome little Chinese restaurant. I felt like I was in a movie or something... the whole place was run by "the family" I'm pretty sure it was the Chinese Mafia. But, hey, good food and good service. I won't turn them in. The next day we met up with some of Michael's friends and went to Lake Compounce. The place for family fun in Connecticut. Well, with rides that meet and exceed the limits and expectations of Trafalga it was a wet and wild day. So, most of the rides were a miniature version of other rides I've been on. However, Lake Compounce does have a sweet wooden roller coaster called Boulder Dash. Now, Boulder Dash was voted as the #1 wood roller coaster in the nation. And, I would have to agree. It was a sweet ride. Next day Michael took me to New York City. I had never been so he was kind enough to take me all around the city and see all the sites he has seen a million and a half times. Of course we saw all the usual....but, left a few for the next time I'm there. (the Met, a Broadway show, museums, coney island, dodger stadium, the infamous Lincoln tunnel that you have to walk through in order to get to the North Pole, etc.)

We took the Staten Island Ferry, walked the Brooklyn Bridge (I know a guy whose family owns that bridge), saw the Empire state, Walked around Central Park, Climbed to the top of the Rock, rode the subway everywhere, ate street vendor food, saw Ground Zero, shopped at Century 21, played the BIG piano, and all sorts of other fun. Now, I mentioned that Michael has played tour guide to all of his friends that come out to the area. So, he did all this again for my benefit. I felt a little bad that he had to go on the SIF for the 30th time. So, I decided to give him an experience that he had never had before. It was a first for both of us, but we ate at White Castle. It was amazing. Harold and Kumar could not have captured the essence of the place any better. We also spent an hour or so on the Top of the Rock. We were able to watch the sunset from on top of the world... almost. It was awesome, we had a great view of central park, the empire state, all the bridges (I had no idea there were so many) Jersey, and all the millions of people that live in that city that goes on and on and on and on. The pic here is actually after the sun had set.

All in all, I had two very fun and successful weekend adventures with a few of my favorite people. I'm lucky to have the ability to do all that I do, and I'm even more lucky and blessed to have siblings and that are so awesome, gracious, and generous, and who still like me even after all these years. Thanks Pat, Jen, Jonas, Mimi, and Michael for the awesome weekends! Maybe one day I'll live someplace cool and you can come and I'll be tour guide for you guys!

Old Loves Revisited

So, you three out there probably already know that this past week I went back up to AK to say hello to a few friends, and a few favorite places.

It started out very interesting and very Alaskan. My plane ride from Seattle to Juneau was as normal. Sit down to a very scraggly looking middle aged man. He looks like he's a local, zonked out and upset that someone is sitting down next to him. I'm hoping that he will just go back to sleep and that the flight will go smoothly without either one of us noticing the other again. Boy was I wrong. Turns out he wasn't a local. He was a very excited first timer....Meaning, his first time to AK. Going up for a fishing trip. He was very talkative, and one of those that takes up the whole arm rest and into your space... I ignored it and tried to talk pleasantries. Which, I did very well. Until I decided that I was through. Then I pulled out my computer, plugged in my headphones and started a movie. I hoped this would signal him to go back to sleep. No, I was wrong again. He decided it was a good time to watch my movie with me. Without sound. So, the next 2 hours were spent with him watching my computer alongside me. Awkward. I mean, am I supposed to offer him one of my earbuds? I didn't. Anyway, we landed. He had another flight to catch so I started to walk out of the terminal. This is when he decided to ask me all about my plans. I gave him the quick answer of: "I'm not really sure. I never plan while I'm here. It's kinda the beauty of Alaska, the less you stress the more things work out to be awesome." At this point I bid him farewell, but not before I noticed that he was a near midget. How did I not notice this before? I mean, the only time I would ever want to be a midget is on an airplane. Think of all the extra leg room.

Well, the ride to Whitney's was glorious. Driving down the channel, reliving a thousand memories. Resmelling the awful low tide smell. It was great. Juneau had barely changed. It's still the town that I love so much. And made even sweeter when I was greeted by both Whit and Nate, "Holy crap! You're so tan!" I love those two even more after that :) Oh, I forgot to mention a very happy moment as I was pulling up to Whitney's house. Pulling up this hugely steep hill and I looked over to the right and there I saw him. He was just sitting there. Sad. Lonely. Blue. Lil Blue that is. After spending all last summer looking for him I just stumbled upon him this summer. Still with our same plates and our pirate sticker that we got for our birthdays. Oh, I have missed Blue.

Other loves I revisited. Chan's Thai Kitchen. Oh, I couldn't even wait 24 hours to go. I went. I ate. I loved. I can't believe I only went once while I was there. I probably would have gone every night had I had any mobility other than my two feet. Mendenhall Glacier. It's still there!! As beautiful as ever. Whit and I made my favorite hike up to the glacier. As we crawled into the ice caves I realized they were the best I had seen yet. They were enormous. One cave opened up into the next and the next and the next. You could pretty much walk under the entire glacier down to the lake. But, we didn't. We were both a little too afraid of them caving in on us. Is that really a problem you ask? Well, I'll tell you this much, while we were filling up our water bottles with delicious glacial serum several ice chunks fell and hit us. After a few we both gave each other the eye to get out as quick as possible. Still, one of the most awe inspiring sights and places I have ever been.

It was a quick trip, even quicker than I had planned. See, everyone was out of town the same time I was in town, and if they weren't out of town they were all working. So, I had a few fun filled, tourist days and decided I'd come home a little earlier than planned. So, I packed up took the city bus (in Juneau it's pretty scary) and headed for the airport. I got on my stand by flight to Seattle no problem. The flight was about 75% full, so I had plenty of space all around me. Well, I got to Seattle with about 25 minutes to make my connection. I booked it. I had to get from D gates to the S gates. I made it!!! When I got there I ran up told them I was here hoping to get on the flight. She looked at me, smiled, gave me a piece of paper, and told me it wasn't gonna happen. A little upset that I ran all the way there when I could have walked I went to pick out a seat to settle down in. I hear a voice talking to me saying, "you're not getting out of here. Heck, I'm not getting out of here." I look over and it's one of my co workers. He's stuck also. Now, he has a few years seniority on me and knows how to work his way through the system. So, I figure if he's given up hope so should I. A few minutes pass, he comes over and tells me he has booked a flight through another airline for only $40. He's out of there. What?! How did he do that? (I still don't know the answer, because when I asked him how he told me it wasn't worth me trying...the douche.) So, I spent the night in SEATAC. Now, I was totally okay with this because I have never spent the night in an airport. I've always felt it was something I needed to do. So, I did. I didn't realize how dead it really would be. It was me and about 3 workers for a good chunk of the night. I mean, there were a few red eye flights... but those leave around 1 and after that there's nothing. So, I did it. Mission accomplished! I'm a veteran traveller now. Anyway, next morning I got on the first flight, first class. So after making small talk with the man next to me, I crashed (not literally. You would have heard about it had I really crashed.) I slept the entire flight. Ah, it was glorious. So, there is my quick trip. It was quick, but it was overall a success.

P.S. I did take a few more photos, but since my camera either got stolen or lost I do not have any more. These are all crap shots I took with my phone. Thank goodness for that :)

My own Galaxy Quest

Well, this 24th of July weekend a group of friends and I decided that we would go and celebrate the saints coming to Utah by going and putting ourselves through the same heat and misery that they endured. We decided we would go out into the desert and camp.
So, anyone remember the Tim Allen move Galaxy Quest? Parts of it were filmed in Goblin Valley. So, we went and recreated our own battle scenes. The blue ball was our constant companion. We kicked it all over the valley, from goblin to goblin, person to person. It was there for better and for worse. I'm disappointed because my camera ran out of batteries after just a few hours of the trip. The fun that I wasn't able to document was our trip to the Green River. Playing in the river, and shooting the potato gun. Then hiding in the river with the potato gun when the ranger came and started snooping around at the source of the very loud booms.
Also, the next morning we hiked an amazing and absolutely spectacular slot canyon named Little Wild Horse Canyon. We kept searching around ever corner for a little wild horse but never found one. However, at one point we did come upon this group coming into the canyon as we were on our way out. We tried to warn them of the flash flood that we had just manuevered away from. As we Jackie Chaned up the canyon walls narrowly missing our own castastrophy. We felt the need to warn any others in the area. This family would not listen to us, I'm afraid they perished in the powerful eroding powers of a flash flood. They were eroded right off the face of this planet. It was tragic. The End

This was Delft. It's a cute little town near Den Haag.... it's where they make Delfware Madurodam, miniature Holland. Everything is built to 1:25 scale. Pretty cool stuff actually
More Madurodam...see the giant asian in the background?


Hall of Mirrors in Versailles. It was way impressive, and would be more so without the hundreds of other people there

The front gate of My palace at Versailles

The Crepe maker. He was rude and unhappy, but I wanted a photo so I asked if I could...he said yes, then I said "smile you beautiful man" after that he was very nice. The smile is a little creepy though

Greenland on the way home. So cool. I could look down and see all the icebergs in the ocean, and see the underwater part too, they changed colors depending on if they were submerged or not

I know having a picture of a toilet is a little odd, but the pic was of the toilet paper. It's bright orange to cheer on the Holland Futbol team. The Queen's color is Orange. The House of Oranje is the royal palace.

Me at the french fry museum. Fries were everywhere. they were invented by the dutch/belgians. But, they had all sorts of weird museums over there

Sweet windmill

Chocolate display in Brugge. Chickens and feathers, and a rabbit in a carrot car.

Palace in Brugge.

Streets of Brussels. Very typical to have flags all over the place. They have all sorts of flags... but never a U.S. flag. I found that interesting

The Making of Eurotrash, Rebecca Version

So, as you both know I recently had my grand trip to Amsterdam. It was perfect. Except for the part about Amsterdam.

It all started one partly cloudy day. I woke up after spending the previous day running around trying to get last minute things in order (but, since I'm a procrastinator everything is last minute). I jumped in Ninja Warrior and off we went up to the airport. Checked in, got through security in no time.

Everything was looking good. And that is when it turned ugly. Had I known that Seattle was a nightmare to fly in and out of I would have made other plans. But, I didn't. So, I waited through two flights; waiting for my name to be called. Nothing. The first flight I missed it by 2 people. Then the next flight, which was the last option to be had for making my connecting AMS flight. Well, my name is third on the list. I can see it popping up on the cleared list at any moment. Then, my luck decides it is not going to behave itself and a father and daughter that missed their previous flight show up wanting a seat on this flight. Wish granted and two of the open seats now go to them. But to make matters worse they delay the flight by 20 minutes. Which wouldn't have been a problem, but by that point all 7 people that would have missed the flight otherwise were able to make the connection. No problem though, I'll grab my bag and try again for the morning. Baggage problem #1, my bag made the flight that I didn't. It's now about to land in Seattle. However, Baggage Services Man Keith (who, looks like a little leprechaune with a stained tie) promises that they will have it sent back immediately and I'll have my bag by that evening, ready to go for the next opportunity. Baggage problem #2... my bag doesn't make it back from Seattle that evening, but I decide not to let it ruin my trip. Baggage Lady Tammy says she'll send out an S.O.S to Seattle and tell them to send my bag to Amsterdam anyway. I, knowing this plan will fail jump on the plane anyway. I make the first leg of the trip. Sitting waiting in Portland for the plane to AMS. Problems again. Plane comes in 2 hours late. But, good news is that it's not full and I make my business class aspirations! Massage chair, leg room, movies on demand, silver platter service. Ahhh, it all makes the additional 2 hour mechanical delay worthwhile... until I get the phone call that informs me that my bag is in Salt Lake City waiting for me to pick it up. S.O.S. to Seattle did not get read. I know start my journey without anything!!!!! Awesome! I decided that panic was not the the best option and looking at it through the eyes of an adventurer was the best way to go about it. So, I enjoy my flight. Get into Amsterdam and into a country that doesn't speak my language, find my way through multiple cities and end up right where I need to be, at the JorPlace Beach Hostel. The fun begins and the worries are over! I'm in Den Haag. I love this city. Perfect, clean, friendly, and homey. It's here that I meet up with Michael, and our new German Friend Stephan. Stephan was a great roommate to have. He has been at the hostel for 4 months and has 3 more to go. He's doing an internship and the hostel is the cheapest way to go. He was great, friendly, quiet, and eager to learn about America. He and I spent a lot of time talking because Michael was in conference the whole time we were there. We exchanged stories of our cultures and learned about the world in between. Stephan was a lonely soul in Den Haag. Germans are still hated by the rest of Europe and it was very evident. We wished him the best after becoming our own little misfit family, and headed on the highspeed to Paris. Now, I'll start the photo documentation of the trip instead of play by play in writing... Just, don't judge me-I didn't have any of my clothing, and the humidity did a number on my hair. Anyway, the photos begin:

Hi Speed Train, the Thalys.... 200-300MPH!!!!!

Random statue in front of a random chapelThe random chapel from above had all these "t"s in it. I don't know what the T stood for, but I liked them allPretty self explanatory. I don't know what these were, statues in the Louvre though. Really, the only art I liked in theirBrussels!!! Country #3 on the tripManekkin Pis. Way smaller than I expected him to be for being such a famous little boy

Belgian Waffles.... So amazing!!!!!!
Brugge was my favorite city on the trip. So picturesque. The whole town was quaint and darlingBrugge again, the steeple in the background was disappearing into the fog. This was at like 10 at night
Random Parisian statue. She was huge and protecting the Siene

I will Triumph!

Mona Lisa. She was tiny, over hyped and unimpressive

Sacre Coeur. Such a beautiful basillica