I guess it's time to update.

Today is my sister Delinda's birthday. Happy Birthday to her. I would like to take this opportunity to pay her a little tribute. She is one of my hero's and I think she deserves to know how much I love her and admire her. She has been the best roommate I've ever had these last two years. She has supported me and loved me through the hard times and has made me laugh frequently. I don't know what I would've done with out her being here in this far away place- I don't know that I would've made it. She has been such an example of perserverance and hard work and has never given up even when it was so hard she didn't think she could go on. She is intelligent, funny, BEAUTIFUL and one of my best friends. I love her! And I think that everyone in the world should too!

I also wanted to add some other random photos of some fun stuff. Nothing spectacular other than the wonderful and lovely people I am constantly surrounded by. I love my friends. I'm such a lucky girl.

So other than having a ginormous headache today- I had a good day. I woke up earlier than I usualy do on Saturday and went and worked out with Ashley and Andrea. It was a HARD workout, and it's been a while since I've done something like that. But it was good. Much needed. And it finally hit me that I really want to get in control of my body again. Sometimes you have to just have that moment when you realize you're ready to change something in your life. And it's the ONE moment that you know you can. Even if you've been wanting to for so long before. So I'm going to do it. It might take some time... but I will.
To top it off, I got to spend the rest of the day with my boy- and he always makes me the happiest chick in the world.

"The Big Chicken"

Did I tell you I finally got to see the big chicken of which I had only heard about up until a couple weeks ago? It's a freaking miracle... that's really all I can say about it. A landmark it is...

Check this out. It's dang funny- and if you hear me ever say "WHATEVA" this is where I get it from. It's also to make you laugh now that you've read my depressing and crazy comments before this one!
http://www.ifilm.com/player/?ifilmId=2461479&pg=default&skin=default&refsite=7347&mediaSize=default&context=product&launchVal=1&data=null

I had a grown up moment

Tuesday night was weird for me. My friend Jennifer's father died earlier during the weekend and so I decided to show support by going to the viewing. I met another friend there who is going through some life changing experiences, mainly marital problems. So I was standing there thinking to myself; here's one friend to the left of me who is about to end a marraige and another friend to the right of me whose dead father is laying in a casket in front of me. I know I'm not that old- but I can say that my life is remarkably different than it was 4 years ago or even 1 year ago. And at that moment I felt officially like an adult. It was kind of weird. I had to stop thinking about it when I realized also that my parents will eventually die- and that's a terrifying thing to think about. I love them too much to think they'll someday not be in my life.
Sorry for being so sober... it was just one of those moments I needed to share.

So last night I had this crazy thought come to me while I was saying my prayers half awake. My inner dialogue didn't sound like my own voice. I got to thinking and as crazy as it may make me sound (I know there are a few of you that have had this happen to, at least I hope so...) I find that I do that a lot. It could vary anywhere from a British woman to an Asian man. I know, it's strange. I find that it tends to happen more right after I've watched a movie or a TV show that has a person with an accent of any kind on it.
Not sure why I'm publishing this so that possibly many people could see... but I just wanted to see if it happens to anyone else. I also found it quite amusing at the same time! Ha, crazy little me.

"The glove compartment is inaccurately named. And everybody knows it. So I'm proposing a swift orderly change, behind its door there's nothing to keep my fingers warm. And all I find are souvenirs from better times. Before the gleam of your taillights fading east to find yourself a better life."
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE LYRICS "Title and registration"

Independence Day-2006

Had a BBQ over at Ashley, Megan and Andrea's house. It was FUN! Lots of people, lots of food, and good times. Then we all went to watch the fireworks at Lennox Mall in Buckhead. We got to watch a fireworks show and lightning and get rained on all in one night. It was pretty stinkin' fun! The static electricity was so strong in the air that us girls' hair was standing up! Don't worry- no one got struck (to my knowledge).


So the fireworks got me wondering. Where did the tradition of shooting off fireworks on the 4th of July come from? Well, you might know already- but I don't. I may have learned it at some period of time in my life and have forgotten. But I'm going to refresh my memory. And maybe yours if you've forgotten as well. This is what I found.
Traditions of the U.S. Fireworks have been associated with the Fourth of July since 1777. The discovery of gunpowder and the subsequent invention of true fireworks is owed to the Chinese. Taoist monks played with the basic components of gunpowder to create fireworks in their spare time. Eventually, the art and science of firework making developed into an independent profession of its own. In ancient China, pyrotechnicians (firework-masters) were well-respected for their knowledge and skill to mount dazzling displays of light and sound. Some scholars say fireworks were developed in the Sui and Tang Dynasties (581–907), but others argue there were no fireworks until the Northern Song Dynasty (10th century).
America's earliest settlers brought their enthusiasm for fireworks to the United States. Fireworks and black powder were used to celebrate important events long before the American Revolutionary War. The very first celebrations of Independence Day were in 1777, six years before Americans knew whether the new nation would survive the war; fireworks were a part of those festivities. In 1789, George Washington's inauguration was also accompanied by a fireworks display. This early fascination with their noise and color continues today.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fireworks

Phishing

I went fishing on Friday night after work. It was lots of fun. I went with some friends from church. I didn't catch anything, but a few of them did. There were some blue gill in a little pond off the road in the Chattahoochee National Park area. I've only been fishing twice since I've lived here in Georgia- and it's for sure time for me to catch one! I will though, and you'll be sure to know when I do. I promise.
We've got a little Jared, Ashley, Ryan, Ryan and Hillary.

I was remembering old times at Cafe Espress in Flagstaff, AZ where I grew up. I used to go there a lot with my friends on all sorts of different occasions. One thing I loved and remember the most about that place was their different taste in art and the different exhibitions they'd have up [I think] monthly. One that I fell in love with and related to in some weird shape and form was from Joe Sorren. I think I felt that I understood the girl in "Thirty-three and a third" not because of the Pink Floyd reference but because I just love my music.
http://joesorren.com/

catching up with the pictures

Well, I realized that I had a lot of new pictures on here but no explanation of what and where and all that good stuff.

I think that the Spring time here in Atlanta is beautiful so I took some photos of the temple grounds and some of the wild Wisteria vine that grows RAPIDLY here and it's beautiful purple blossom. They only stay around for a couple of weeks and I missed taking pictures of them last year.

Also, I went to Utah for my niece Alyssa's baptism. Greg flew Delinda and I out there and it was so nice of him. On our way there we had an overnight layover in Dallas, so Jill Hargus took us around and I got to see the "grassy knoll" where JFK was killed. And some of down-town. It was really fun. Then the next morning we flew into SLC and mom and dad picked us up. We got to see the whole family, except for Shauna which I am sad about- and I wish she was there because we had a good time. The baptism was neat, and I can't believe that Alyssa is that old! I remember when she was just a little bambino. I love her though and I'm so proud of who she is and what she's becoming as well as the rest of the kids. They are all good kids and I love all of them! And to boot, they're DANG cute too!

After Utah, I went with some friends camping in the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Georgia. The next morning about 20-30 of us from Church went River Rafting on the Ocoee River in Tennessee. We did the Olympic run from the Summer Olympics that were held in Atlanta in 1996. It was SO much fun, and I could see how people can easily become addicted to it! It was 2 miles of river and about a 4 hour adventure. And I didn't even fall out of the boat! I'd like to learn how to Kayak next!

Then for Memorial Day weekend my friend Amelia called and asked if I would be her travel-mate to go to St. Augustine, FL because her husband couldn't go. We stayed with her family there so it was free and an offer I couldn't pass up. We had a nice relaxing visit and got some sun at the beach, the pool and a pretty lake. It was a nice trip and I'm glad I went! Her family was lovely and so hospitable.

Well- lifeis full of fun and adventure. I will be starting a new job on the 19th of this month and look forward to having a fun Summer! I will be going Tubing with some friends this weekend, so I will post those pictures when I get them!

COLLIER, OUT.

Welcome to Me

I thought I'd add myself to the bunch. Just testing this out. I will post more info soon.
Hux

Mississippi and Braves Game

Well, off to another Young Single Adult activity for Church. Went to Hattiesburg, Mississippi this time for fun and to meet some new friends. I went with 6 other girlfriends from the ward. It was a good times and we were very successful at meeting new friends. We boogeyed a little, hung out by a fire for a while, sang together and played games, and were uplifted by the workshops that the Institute program in Hattiesburg put on for us. It was wonderful to listen to different people's stories and to just have a nice weekend off.On Monday a big group of us from Church went to an Atlanta Braves baseball game. I had been wanting to go to one since we've been here and I was so excited to go! They won of course and I got some snapshots with the help of Delinda. We had a lot of fun and I can't wait to go to another one!Pres. Jimmy Carter and his wife.

That's all for now.

Birthday and Caving

Well, I finally turned the big 27 on the 14th. I have a feeling this will be a good year. Delinda was in Africa doing research and so I hung out with my friends after our ward's Institute class. We went to the Wave (a small little Hawaiian Diner) and just hung out and ate and talked and laughed. It was fun and good to have people around. Over all the day was really good. I woke up with an attitude of being happy, mostly because it was our Month End at work and those can usually be stressful days. But it turned out to be a very good day and I got to talk to most of my family!

Last weekend for our Ward Activity we went to North Georgia to go caving at Sitton's Cave. Our Bishop is way into doing hard hikes and other outdoor adventures and so he led us through this cave. It was SO much fun. I haven't been caving since I was in probably High School or something in Flagstaff. There were 28 of us and we all expected it to be muddy, but little did we know we'd have to walk through (in my case) waist high water! And it wasn't warm water either. We didn't have to walk through it the whole time, but a lot of the time we did. This was the first time though that I've seen Stalactites and Stalagmites. And of course the resident bats where sometimes hard not to touch! There were pretty much every where, but were sleeping most of the time. Our Bishop led us to a small cavern room where we all sat and turned our lights off and showed us the light that old time cavers used. It was interesting and everytime he lit it, it would make a very LOUD popping noise that startled me! Well me and pretty much everyone else in there! Then on the way back we all stopped somewhere and turned our lights off again and then Sis. Dean (the Bishop's wife) passed out Wintergreen Lifesavers which when you bite into, sparks. I personally didn't see any, but people claimed they did. (I've heard Certs with Retsin work too!) We headed back and then about 7 or so of us went the wrong way to get out- which looking back now makes me cringe a little because it was a VERY VERY tight space we had to crawl through for a good 5 minutes which seems like an eternity! We came out wet and muddy, but I personally feel it was TOTALLY worth it. It was a lot of fun and this earth is full of beautiful things to see.

On the way home we stopped at a Memorial for one of the first Mormon missionaries here in the South that was killed at a well. His name was Joseph Standing from SLC, UT while serving his mission was killed by a mob. The members in the Chattanooga Stake maintain the grounds.

That's it for now!Delinda in Johannesburg with our cousins.Delinda in Angola

Saturday Excursion

I'll keep it short, but a group of us went downtown to the Phillips Arena to see the Harlem Globe Trotters play. I remember wanting to see them as a little girl- so when the opportunity was offered, I totally jumped on it. It was a lot of fun and those guys are way funny and very talented. It was a fun show for the kids and the smiles on their faces were the best part for me personally. But it was fun for us big kids too. I've attached some pictures. We went to the CNN Center for lunch afterward. It was a fun Saturday afternoon excursion!