And we're off...

Yay, we're off to Bear Lake!

Thanks to my blogging-and-Sabor friend, Liz, who is working for me....we get to leave a day earlier than planned, and thus, have way more fun!

SO...stay tuned for pics!

Have a great weekend everyone!

L-O-V-E these!

I'm completely obsessed and addicted!

Does anyone else LOVE these?!

Inspiring...

So I know I have blogged a few times about rough times at Cafe Sabor...but tonight I had the nicest man at my table. '

As he was leaving, I said, "Goodbye sir, have a nice night!" and he said, "You have a nice night too. And many more nice nights. Whenever someone says to have a nice night, I tell them to have many more nice nights too. Because we should all make the choice to have nice days and nights!"

I just thought this was so nice...because really, no matter what happens each day, we really all should just choose to have a nice day and night anyway!

He told me he was over 70 years old and that he has never missed a day of work in 23 years because he never gets sick, and he attributes that to his good attitude. He was so sweet, and said that he made a goal when he was 4 years old to live to be the oldest person alive! Anyway, I just thought it was refreshing to have someone so cheery and kind!

St. Louis

Last week I was able to travel to St. Louis for Chi Omega's national convention. What, you may ask, does a sorority need to possibly get 1200 girls together once every two years for?! (Insert bad pillowfight joke here...)

Well, here is where I get on my soapbox...You see, as I have described to RJ, without growing up with a religion, it's not too far of a fetch to say Chi Omega is like a religion to me. Yes, I know that sounds a bit ridiculous...let me explain. It has a very long-standing history of strong values and principles to guide your life. Chi Omega was the first place that I really could see people from ALL backgrounds coming together. No matter your race, socio-economic status, hometown, religion, etc...everyone came together for some common goals. Chi Omega was truly where I learned that it's ok to be Mormon or not Mormon. Growing up as a non-Mormon in Utah had its share of challenges, but this was the first place I had modeled for me that yes, you can be L.D.S. and be a wonderful person, and yes, you can be non-L.D.S. and be a wonderful person. And this is only one example. I truly met the most caring group of girls who work hard. And yes, sure, we went to our share of parties....and yes, some of us drank and some of us didn't...but, we all respected each other, we all helped each other, we all had fun together. I learned so many valuable life skills-conflict resolution, respect for different backgrounds, work ethic, doing what you say you will do, etiquette at a fancy dinner, networking, study skills...etc. And every job I've had in Logan (even my teaching job now) was obtained because of some kind of a Greek connection. And isn't all of that what college is also about?! I mean, yeah, we're there for a degree and a solid education....but how many life skills we all learn! Wow...

I know many people can relate to some kind of an organization like this, and Chi Omega is the one that does it for me. I can truly say I whole-heartedly believe in every one of its principles and purposes. Our public "creed" is called The Symphony, and it is honestly beautiful because I think it's a great general guideline for LIFE!

To live constantly above snobbery of word or deed;

to place scholarship before social obligations;
and character before appearances;

to be, in the best sense, democratic rather than 'exclusive',

and lovable rather than 'popular';

to work earnestly, to speak kindly, to act sincerely,

to choose thoughtfully that course which occasion and conscience demand;

to be womanly always;

to be discouraged never;

in a word, to be loyal under any and all circumstances to my Fraternity

and her highest teachings and to have her welfare ever at heart

that she may be a symphony of high purpose

and helpfulness in which there is no discordant note.
Ethel Switzer Howard, Xi Chapter, Northwestern University, 1904

Anyway, Chi Omega is doing some fabulous things...for instance, in the last 5 years, Chi Omega has raised $4.5 million for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and contributed over 274,000 volunteer hours. At the St. Louis convention, we were able to hear from a variety of inspirational speakers, including Jan E. Langbein who is the Executive Director of Genesis Women's Shelter in Dallas. She was recently appointed by President Bush to be Senior Policy Advisor to the Office of Violence Against Women. (And she's a Chi Omega too of course!) She was a great speaker, one of those that just make you want to jump out of your seat!

We also heard from Cordia Harrington, who, as a single mom bought a McDonald's franchise. But, she didn't like the buns they were using...so she baked her own. Well, that turned into The Tennessee Bun Company. She now ships her buns to EVERY McDonald's! Her factory produces 1,000 buns per minute!

One of my favorite parts was the Make-A-Wish Luncheon. The speaker was a Chi Omega who had a sister receive a wish from Make-A-Wish. Honestly, I started writing this post with the intent of telling her story...but I know I won't do it justice and anyone reading this won't feel the magnitude of her speech. Basically, when she had the opportunity to state what her wish would be, she wanted her wish to be for all the 155 Charlotte area children waiting on a wish to be granted, to get their wish! It's an amazing story...if you are so inclined, you can check it out here: (click on the logo)

Anyway, St. Louis was a great experience! As I finish with my sorority soapbox, I'll leave you with these facts:

Nationally, 71% of all Greeks graduate, while only 50% of non-Greeks graduate.
The All Greek GPA is higher than the overall collegiate GPA
Since 1910, 85% of the Supreme Court Justices have been Greek.
85% of the Fortune 500 key executives are Greek.
Of the nation's 50 largest corporations, 43 are headed by Greeks.
76% of Who's Who in America are Greek.
All but two Presidents since 1825 have been Greek.
70% of the U.S. Presidents' cabinet members since 1900 have been Greek.
76% of U.S. Senators are Greek.
Both women elected to the U.S. Supreme Court were sorority members.

Lazy Sunday

Me: "It's 4 o'clock! How did that happen? I'm still in my pajamas!"

RJ: "Summer's great...."

You know sometimes you just need one of those stay-in-your-PJs-all-day kind of days? It's been great! I'll admit I almost have to force myself to really be lazy for THAT long...but alas, the next day I always feel so much better and actually LIKE getting ready and doing errands or something!

I LOVE THESE!

Has anyone tried these?! They are SO good...I bought a pack of ten mini bags, mixed caramel and cheddar cheese....and both kinds are SO good, and only 100 calories. They're a great little snack, perfect when you want something salty or sweet! Anyway, I'm officially addicted...(and Quaker should be paying me for this...)

Our First Anniversary!

We decided before we were married that we would go on a trip every year when school gets out, just us two. Then once we have kids, we'll go on a family trip too each summer. For anniversaries, we decided to trade years planning the destination. So, this year, I took charge! I wanted to go somewhere super cool....Hawaii? Figi? Bahamas? Cozumel?

Yeah, we ended up in Lava Hot Springs! Haha, super exotic, I know! We figured we'll work up to the fancier destinations!



So, it was a surprise...R.J. fell asleep on the drive and woke up in the middle-of-nowhere, Idaho...he was so confused! Anyway, we had a lot of fun...neither of us had ever been there. We ate at a yummy steakhouse, and stayed in a cute bed and breakfast.....it was a fun, quick little trip for us. Sorry, no pics, I forgot my camera!





But...when we got home we ate our cake from our wedding. Ok, has anyone had luck with this cute little tradition?! Ours was disgusting and soggy! We had it in an airtight rubbermaid container...apparently not such a good idea! Oh well, still fun!

R.J.'s Birthday!

OK...so R.J.'s birthday was clear back in May! I'm a horrible wife, I know! But don't fret, we celebrated on the day of, it's just that the blogging of the event is coming months later!

So...not only was it the first birthday of his that we were celebrating being married, but it was also a BIG one, the BIG 3-0! So, I tried to plan something fun and opted for a surprise party. I spread the word among his family and friends, planned food, and now the biggest task...getting rid of him for a few hours! I tried to clean the house enough to be clean, but not too much as to make him suspect something. I went grocery shopping the night before, super late while he thought I was closing at Cafe Sabor. I had to hide all the food in the school's fridge so he wouldn't ask about the 24 hamburger patties in our freezer!

So, the day of, I had his friend Chuck talk him into going to a movie....I was so worried that he'd say no or it'd fall through! The second he left I started cleaning the house and decorating, got food ready, etc. My friend Alexis picked up 2 dozen balloons in her little Jeep...SO funny to see her pull up, smothered with balloons!

The best part was when R.J. called, saying he was on his way home. Problem was...only my parents and Alexis had arrived! Which would be fun and all...but....

So, I had to think fast...and for some reason all that came to mind was, "Can you go to the store on your way? I need...vegetable oil!" Vegetable oil?! Who demands vegetable oil from their husband on his birthday?! He said, "Can we get it later?" Luckily he gave in when I said, "No, I strated making you a cake to surprise you, and it's the only thing I need before I can bake it!" haha, lame! So, about ten min. later, in he walked, with a very confused expression, and yes, a bottle of vegetable oil!

Oh, my parents got him a SUPER cool grill that we've wanted for forever! It kinda looks like R2D2, and we LOVE it! The party was so fun...we grilled and hung out! It was so nice of everyone to come, and amid R.J.'s shock, I think he enjoyed the celebrations!