Stresssssed

I think its funny when my friends try to run marathons.

Not to mention they run the Utah Valley Half Marathon the weekend before finals and the weekend before school ends. They were stressed to the max.

In order to run the marathon they had to wake up at 3 a.m to take the busses to take them up to Provo Canyon. They were stressed and anxious about running the race, finishing school, taking exams, and preparing for finals.

So they wouldn't have to wake up in the wee morning dark hours, I told them I would drive them up to the canyon in the morning so they wouldn't have to ride the public transportation. I woke up at 5 a.m. and drove them up the canyon and helped them prepare mentally for the marathon.

It wasn't a big deal, but they were pretty stressed. They were stressed about running their little feet to the finish line and waking up early to hop on the bus was just another thing they were worried about. By driving them up the canyon, they could sleep in and dream of sugarplums or water or medals. Whatever marathoners dream of.

Port of Passage

Chelita stole my passport...again.

I am supposed to leave the county to travel the world in fifteen days. That will only be happening if my passport returns to my hands. The poor little bugger has been all over the place, lost, in tornadoes, and lost again. I hope the little guy is alright.

BYU stole my passport for four months. I had to convince them to give it back to me. After hours and days of struggling in the offices of administrators I finally retrieved it. I went to Mexico; I came back and had to give the passport back to BYU. I guess they like babysitting or something. Who knows?

Then it was sent to India and given back to me with my visa. I then had to send it to the Chinese Embassy to get a visa. I sent it weeks ago and it still hasn't been returned. I guess it will show up eventually or else I guess I won't be traveling the world after all.

Maybe I'll just travel around Provo instead.

Buy U a Drank

Thursday evening I was picking up one of my friends before our three hour night class that always seems to last a lifetime.

Before class I decided to come prepared with snacks to help pass time. I bought some drinks, cookies, fruit snacks, you know the usual healthy things.

As I pulled into the parking lot next to her apartment complex I noticed a young mother and her son. They looked like they were in distress and I soon realized when the mother and young boy quietly approached my car.

She asked if she could use my phone because they were supposed to meet someone and it had been a while. I handed her my phone and as I waited for my friend to come outside the young boy clinched onto my car.

I felt bad for the young family and it was hot outside so I handed the boy a gatorade I had purchased for class. The mom quickly returned and thanked me. Feeling sympathy for the family who had been waiting in the summer heat, I handed the mother and son my treats. At first they resisted and didn't know what to say, but they eventually accepted.

It felt good helping them.

In Memorial

We live in the most blessed country in the face of the earth. We live in the United States of America.

We have a proud history in which we should all be proud of. Our country has endured the trials of time and today we live in the greatest country in the world.

This Memorial Day, we honor those brave men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting our freedom. We honor, respect, support, admire, love, and appreciate the armed men and women who are serving our country.

I am grateful for Captain Mark Gillman, my cousin, who is currently deployed in Afghanistan. He has left his sweet family to protect the freedom of all of us and to make the world a safer place.

Let us always remember those who are serving us. We should be grateful for their dedication, sacrifice, and service. America the beautiful will always stand for freedom and righteousness.

God bless.

Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?

This has been a year of traveling. This semester especially I have been all over the place. Everywhere except Utah. It is always nice to get out of town, especially when it's snowing in May. I bet my bishop thinks I'm inactive though. I have only been in Provo for church once this entire semester! Whoops.

Here's my travel log:

• Mexico
• Palm Springs
  
• Las Vegas
• California
• Arizona

I'm not complaining. I like traveling. In 24 days I will embark on a new journey. On June 25 I will start my travels around the world and go fulfill some of my life long dreams.

Starting June 25, 2011 to July 23, 2011 I will be in the following:

• New York City
• Paris & Dijon, France
• Geneva, Switzerland
• Milan, Venice, & Florence, Italy
• Beijing, China
• New Delhi, India

It has been quite the year of airplane food and living out of my luggage. At least I'm making memories...Oh and racking up those airline points.

NBA Playoffs

As the NBA playoffs are in full swing my grades, social life, and homework have all taken serious blows. I find myself planning my days and activities around the games and sometimes not even caring about the other activities I have planned.

I am not really surprised with the teams in the playoffs this year, although I didn't think the Lakers would get swept by Dick Nowitzki and the Mavericks.

The Thunder--Mavericks series in the West has been really fun to watch. Both teams have played well, but Dick Nowitzki has played unbelievable. He takes the wildest shots and watches them fall. Although I would like to see the Thunder out on top I think the Mavericks will win in six.

In the East we have a classic matchup with the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls fighting it out. Both of these teams are phenomenal and very fun to watch. The key to winning the series for both teams is defense and this is one of the best match ups possible.

Originally I thought the Bulls could pull it off, but it looks like the "Big 3" in South Beach will get their rings and shove their bling in everyone's faces. The Heat win the championship in five.

Cab Rides

It's rare I find myself in a taxi, but when I do it always an adventure . . . always.

Finding a taxi is like eating chocolate candies. You have to bite the inside and figure out what you're going to get. This is just like finding a taxi; you wave it down, jump in, and hold on for dear life. Literally.

While traveling in California this past weekend I had quite a few encounters. The first was riding in a caged car with a man who spoke hardly any english. Trying to explain where we wanted to go and go no reply. After the taxi drove in circles for 10 minutes he finally took off heading North on the I5. We needed to go South and trying to explain this to him was like trying to teach my niece algebra.

Trying to put myself in their perspective, I wonder what life would be like as a taxi driver. People get in and you have no idea what you're getting. You just drive them and try to make a dime or two.

Next time you're in a taxi, remember hold on and buckle up because its like being on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.

Provo's Gems

What do I do?

Everyone is always complaining how boring Provo is and how there is nothing to do in this village. Although the nightlife and entertainment isn't over the top like Las Vegas or Los Angeles, Provo does has some prime locations with lots to do.

No I'm not talking about Seven Peaks, Studio 600, Squaw Peak, or any of the other places the "All-Stars" hangout. I'm talking about some of Provo's best kept secrets.

One of my favorite places in Provo is the laundromat in West Provo just off of Center Street. This place is golden! One of the finest places Provo has to offer with arcades, mechanical horses, music, baby carts, a swing set, and carts to race your friends in. This place is legit.

Utah Lake Peninsula is another gem. You have to check this place out when there's a storm rolling in, but be sure to bring your 4WD and beware of crashing waves.

Bicentennial Park off of State Street is another hidden treasure. It has bridges, rocks, mountains,and animals for you to get in touch with Mother Nature.

The Ellsworth tunnel is another place that will make your friends scream. It seems like your underground but you're really not. It’s a great way to trick your friends, but only lasts a minute or two.

Next time you're looking for something out of the Provo ordinary feel free to check these places out. These are just a FEW of Provo's best gems.

"P" Word Pet Peeve

Alright, I have a really weird pppet pppeeve. I have "P" words. Yeah, there you have it. I don't like words that start with the letter "P" (with a few exceptions, like Poland).

I don't really know why. I just don't really like them. I don't like the noise of the letter "P." I don't like the way it looks and I don't like saying them. I will try and avoid them if possible. Oh no, I just said a "P" word. At least it's only written.

Let me give you some examples of the "P" words I strongly dislike.

• Punt
• Pueblo
• Powwow
• Provolone
• Penalize (especially when pronounced pEE-nal-ize)
• Pothole
• Phony
  
• Putrid
• Participle
  
• Paltry
• Pew
• Placebo
• Putrefy
  
• Pamphlet
  
• Parsimonious
  
• Polygamy
• Powder
• Pansy
  
• Phlegm (Sounds like an "F" word, but it still sounds dirty)
  
• Parchment
  
• Pronto
• Pesticide
• Prig
• Pimple
  
• Punish
• Pancreas
• Pupil
• Puss

There you have it. I bet you hate these words too.

Cold

Is it spring yet?

One of the worst things about Utah is the weather. I mean it's almost the middle of May and its 40 degrees Fahrenheit. What the freak?

I guess it's because I'm a desert rat and I've grown accustomed to the +100 degree heat, sunshine year round, and the lack of snow.

I'm not saying Utah does not have good weather, it's just stubborn. One day the sun is shining, the birds are signing, and the kids are playing. You think spring has finally arrived and you put away all your winter clothes. Then without warning, the next day is miserable. It's not even 40 degrees, the sun is lost in the darkness of the sky, and the gloomy clouds are dumping buckets of water on you.

I just don't get the bipolarity of the Utah weather. Make up your mind, be cold and gloomy or warm and sunny, but quit being a little school girl. Just make up your mind already.

Mama

A ode to my mother.

Can you imagine your life without your mother?

Sunday is Mother's day and in honor of the special day honoring our mothers, I would like to highlight my own mother's life.

My mom, Charlotte Clark Tanner, was born on September 10 to Stephen and Ruth Clark in La Habra, California. She was the seventh child of eight and the second daughter of their large, rambunctious family. My mom always told me funny stories of her childhood.

After surviving being a kid with five older brothers, my mom went to BYU to begin her studies. It was here she and my father would begin dating. My parents were dating as my aunt and uncle were getting married. My mom's brother married my dad's sister (kind of confusing/weird I know). I joke that my parents met at their wedding, although it isn't true it makes it much easier to explain without sounding polygamyish.

My parents sealed their marriage in Los Angeles and lived in California while my father attended law school at USD. My mom worked as a nurse and school teacher to support her husband.

Shortly after moving to Las Vegas my parents welcomed their first child. Five more would quickly follow and my mom has been working full-time ever since. She has raised all six of her children and now is also raising (more like spoiling) her only granddaughter.

My mom is hard working, loving, caring, compassionate, understanding, beautiful, charitable, and one of the sweetest people I've known. For the last 28 years she has been working hard as a mother of six (seven counting my dad) and hasn't stopped since. Thank you mom for all you do. I love you and appreciate you so much!

<33

Osama No Longa

SEE YA LATER ALLIGATOR

I still remember the morning of September 11th like it was yesterday. I don't think anyone that was alive that dark morning will ever forget the events that unfolded that day. I was glued to the television and would watch day and night to see what latest news was unfolding. I was only in 7th grade and I remember sometimes I would go to bed and hear my parents watching the news late into the night. It scared me. America was attacked on it's own soil for the first time since the attack in the Hawaiian Pearl Harbor.

Like that dark morning, I will also never forget when I heard the news that the United States had successfully killed Osama Bin Laden, the mastermind for those dreary September attacks. I first heard of the news on twitter (@cancelevrything) and quickly thereafter a series of text messages rolled in: "We got e'm!" "Have fun in hell Bin Laden!" "Justice is served, Osama is dead."

I was surrounded by 55,000 proud American citizens enjoying the heat and the sun of Palm Spring at the Stagecoach Country Music Festival. I hate country, but my friends were going and I jumped along for the ride. These people were some of the most die hard, patriotic people ever. Strangers were united. The crowd in unison was shouting, "USA! USA! USA!" and "God bless America."

Though the war on terrorism it not over. We must continue to support the brave men and women fighting for our freedoms. Must we not forget them and give them the credit they deserve.

It was really touching to see the patriotism of our country. Once again Americans have put their politics aside and come together as American brothers and sisters. It's strange how it often takes strong events to pull us across the aisles and together in each others arms. When America is united it is strongest. United we stand. I am proud to be an American.

God bless this great country. God bless America.

Team Spontaneity

Spontaneous:

–adjective

coming or resulting from a natural impulse or tendency; without effort or premeditation; natural and unconstrained; unplanned: a spontaneous burst of applause.

I have always thought I was pretty spontaneous. I like doing things random and unplanned. I just can't stand those people that plan time to plan things all the time. Come on! Live a little.

I think I have succeeded this weekend in being spontaneous.

Friday night as my friends and I were enjoying the epic Justin Bieber Never Say Never Movie, we ran into some more of our friends. We enjoyed the music, the atmosphere of the high-tech dollar theater, and the company. The movie deserves an Oscar or two but it's not the movie that was spontaneous.

After the movie our friends told us they were going to California and leaving in the morning for some concerts. My friends and I joked around saying we would go with them, not thinking much of it. When they invited us to come with them, we without hesitation responded in the affirmative. So we went home packed out bags and were on way to sunny California the next morning.

This probably wasn't the most responsible decision, but I am always trying to be more spontaneous and couldn't resist. Just hopefully my mom doesn't find out about this one!

my legs off.

I'm Blogged

WITAM!

Hello and welcome to my very first blog post on my very first blog. I never really thought I would ever get a blog. I thought these things were only for Mormon Mommies with a lot to do and still a lot of time on their hands with a lot to share. You know the ones I'm talking about. They rant about their kids and how hot their husband is and how their life is perfect. Now I am one of them.

Don't worry you won't have to worry about me blogging about my food storage and wallpapers though. At least I don't plan on it.

I am kidding of course, but I still don't know what this blog will include. Travel log? Mischievous adventures? Ghost Hunting? I guess only time will tell.

Instead this blog will include a plethora of ideas, events and adventures so hold on tight because I don't really know where we are heading. This is going to be interesting so please stand up and enjoy the ride.