Monday, June 18, 2012

Crash and Burn

That's right. I will be donating $5 to the University of Utah Alumni Association. Bah Humbug! That's what I get for not sticking to my goals.

Some things that I learned this week when trying to complete my three physical fitness goals:

  • I stink at running nowadays. I miss those days when I was fit and I didn't wheeze when doing mountain climbers. Part of it is probably my lungs still healing from all the pneumonia and junk, but part of it is just being plain out of shape. It's alright though! I'm just going to keep trying and listen to my body. Before long I'll get the hang of things.
  • I need to leave room on my menu for desserts. There is no way I'm giving up all snacks, sugar, and goodies for the rest of my life and so I need to plan these into my menu. That way I don't feel like I need to sneak yummy food into my mouth when Coach Brandon isn't home (like the pound of pie dough I ate last week).
  • I found a loop hole in one of my goals and so I need to alter it. Instead of make a menu every day of the week, it should be make a menu of most days of the week and stick to it. I have 24 hours to make any changes before the actual meal comes. This way I can't just change what I'm going to have when I decide that I want to chow down on more pie dough.
  • My Ultimate Race isn't going to work, so instead I will do some public challenges on MapMyRun.com and you all can see how I'm doing.
  • The fruit on the table is not working because it's not easily snackable. Next time we go grocery shopping, I'm going to try and get some grapes or something.

Other than that, things are going pretty smoothly over here. Brandon and I just celebrated our 1.5 month-iversary by going to a destination hotel (his parents house when they were on vacation). We ate at Noodles & Company, pretended we were driving to a resort on rocky cliffs above an ocean, and watched Star Wars Episode XI. It was the BOMB.

Be my fans!

Hey everybody! It's really been too long since I've written. I think I left off mentioning Brandon's and my anniversary all the way back in early December. It was really fun and a lot has happened since then, but it would be difficult to write it all out.

Brandon and I have been attending the family history class for our ward. I got re-stoked into trying to create my own personal history. It seems such a big task, but I'm sure I could do it. I'm also going to start having a lot of free time in the evenings. While Brandon will be at school with the car, I will be walking from work to my in-laws to hang out for a few hours until Brandon can pick me up. My mother-in-law and I decided that during this time, especially on Tuesdays, we can work on completing her family history work. Her mother was born in Scotland and so we were talking yesterday about going up to Great Britain in 10-15 years to go find some records. Can't wait!

Since December, I've been reading hard core, at least for how busy I am. I have read about 25-ish books in the last 5 months. One of these books is called Change Anything. It is written by a group of experimenters in Utah who have found 6 key components in changing a habit. I think my habit is not being healthy. I love junk food and lately I've been eating it at a much more alarming rate. Anyway, so during this past week with the help of those 6 components from the book, I have made my change to a healthier me plan.

  • I took a good look at what I would be and look like in the future. I imagined my grandmother who contracted (if that is the right word) diabetes, congestive heart failure, gallbladder cancer, kidney failure before she slipped away from us two years ago. I imagine I would be like that if I don't make a change. I also don't want to be a lazy mother. I want to play with my kids the best I can, even if it's on the floor.
  • I'm making it a game. On June 15th, I am challenging everyone to an Ultimate Race to see who can log in the most minutes of workouts. We will do so for a month before calculating the top scores. 
  • I created a list of crucial moments when I snack without thinking. They mainly consist of when I watch movies and read books. I have bought some gum and water to tide me over during those times when I'm not hungry.
  • I want to practice good refusal of too many treats skills. Brandon will be surprising me with trips to the ice cream parlor, snacks, etc. I will have to learn how to best handle myself in these situations... not that it's bad for me to go get ice cream or eat snacks, just not ALL the time. :)
  • I need you guys! I need fans and people to back me up. I need people saying, "How is your plan working? How can I help you better accomplish your goals?" And then just talk to me! Let me know I have a social support.
  • I have redefined normal. Normal people do not eat until bursting every meal.
  • I am taking advantage of loss aversion. Whenever I complete my goals for a whole week, I can put $5 into the charity fund of my choice. If not, then I put $5 toward the U of U Alumni Association (yuk!) ;)
  • I'm going to engage my autopilot by putting out fruit for snacking on and not keeping treats out in the open to eat.
  • I will also put up a weight/measurement chart to track my progress.
I can't wait! I hope all of you will be there to support me as I go through this change.

Love,

Jazlyn

Sunday, November 20, 2011

I'm a Mormon!

What's Going on in My Life:

  • My sister, Jessica, just turned the big 1-8! It's so crazy she's an adult now. I remember her running around at seven-years-old with a huge smile and bouncy gold hair. She's still like that. :)
  • Still working at Boostability! We're the best SEO company out there. Bam! 
  • Also, still have a sinus infection. I'm on my second round of antibiotics. Hopefully they help!
  • Brandon and I just had our 11-month-iversary. We didn't do too much since in December, I have a surprise planned! He knows there's a surprise, but he doesn't know what it is yet. :) I'll have to inform you guys after it happens.
  • This week Brandon and I are going to his little sister's soccer game, having Thanksgiving at his parents' house on Thanksgiving, and then are having another Thanksgiving at my parents' house on Friday. On Saturday we're going to Temple Square to watch Savior of the World. Can't wait to see it!
  • On December 4, we'll being going to Temple Square again to watch the LDS Christmas Devotional. Should be fun!
  • One last thing: Christmas decorations are going up! I can't wait. I did some Thanksgiving ones (wreath, paper turkey, a few fabric pumpkins), but Christmas is a whole other deal. :) Also, I can finally turn on Christmas music without people groaning at me from all different directions. I don't see why people aren't excited to celebrate one of the most important holidays of the year. It's Jesus Christ's birthday we're honoring, don't they know? 
  • Oh yeah, I forgot to say something. I was passing a funeral a few weeks ago and I noticed that everyone was all droopy-looking in these horrible and shapeless black clothes. If anyone wears black to my funeral, they can be sure I will haunt them from that time onward. ;)

 This button below is just something I was working on last Sunday. Hope you guys enjoy!

I'm a Mormon.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Blah

So October caught up with me. Just got diagnosed with pneumonia and a sinus infection today. My face and teeth hurt like crazy.

This is what I'm taking:

Amoxicillin/Clavulanate Potassium. I think it's pretty close to the right structure. ;)




My lungs:

This is what my lungs look like courtesy of http://www.medtogo.com





Sunday, October 30, 2011

Happy Halloween!

Despite having a nasty cold the whole month of October (and we'll see if it continues into November), this month has definitely been a blast! I've been spending large amount of time crafts, making yummy food, reading Harry Potter, and going on fun dates with Mister. I have also spend a lot of time blowing my nose, coughing up phlegm, and sleeping.

The witch apron I bought to cook things with. 

Our Halloween-y front door. (It's even better now that we have paper ghosts on there and a sign that says, "Happy Halloween!"

My more sophisticated pumpkin decoration.


The first time I made peach cobbler and Brandon said it was delicious!

The daisy Brandon brought me at the beginning of the month.

My "I heart you" to Brandon.

Brandon's "I lung you" to me.



Ward choir cupcakes!
Pumpkins made out of fabric, cotton, and felt.

A butter yellow daisy Brandon gave me at the end of the month. I told him it reminded me of Enchanted. "Send you yellow flowers when the sky is gray!" :)
Brandon and I also went on two very fun dates this weekend. On Friday we attended a choral production put on by BYU. I think I became an Ultimate Men's Chorus fan. We thought it was a delightful concert and are excited to go to more in the future.

Last night we went to the Shops and Riverwoods and ate at Macaroni Grill. Get their Chicken Under a Brick. It's so good! And it's literally cooked under a brick. We also splurged on blackberry and raspberry Italian sodas which ended up making me feel a lot more rich than we really are. ;) After dinner, we took a little walk to the Wynnsong theater and watched Puss in Boots. It was really fun! Definitely enjoyed that. Afterward we had decided to take a walk around the shops because they light the little brick streets up at night and I love how magical it feels. Well, on the way we noticed  that Beach Resort was still open and selling ice cream, so we bought some. Yummmmmy! We took a little walk around the building. They have miniature croquet, Lazer tag, bowling, arcade games, a surfing thing/hot tub, and a ropes course. Next family activity? Definitely there!

Anyway, off to November!

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Just a bunch of photos from August






















Lake Tahoe + Great America + Half Moon Bay + San Francisco + Grandparents + Disneyland/California Adventure = One very happy Jazlyn



Vikingsholm, Lake Tahoe, California




The Idea Behind The Trip


Brandon and I had been planning since the beginning of summer to go on a California vacation with my immediate family. My mom and dad had a number of things planned: Monterey Bay, the Redwoods, visiting with the grandparents, Lake Tahoe, and . . . Disneyland! However, after realizing that it was impossible to fit all of those into one week, my parents decided to cut out and substitute the places that were not "on the way". Monterey Bay turned to Half Moon Bay. The Redwoods turned into San Francisco. Disneyland became California's Great America. We were still stoked.

Everyone needs to understand something about Brandon: he loves Disneyland. Besides the fact that he has been with his family to Disneyland probably over 14 times, he realizes that there is more to theme parks than thrill rides. Disneyland is likely one of the most creative man-made places on Earth. Each ride has been carefully designed or redesigned so that the participant does not only experience the ride, but they experience atmosphere and "magic". It's family and friend bonding time. In other words, it's more than just an amusement park. It's more than the yummy hot dogs, crazy coasters, and water shows. It's always looking to the future, always discovering new ways to have people experience things they never have experienced before. Disneyland is just wonderful!

Anyway, Brandon looked at our finances, realized we had enough money to stay at Disneyland for a number of days and when better to vacation at Disneyland than right after we got done in central California? It was perfect. Brandon was probably going to be quitting his job anyway to become a full-time student. I had just graduated. We could afford the time. For the next two weeks, I kept walking in on Brandon surfing the net for Disney stuff and watching YouTube videos of the rides. It was pretty cute. Like a little kid.

On Sunday, August 14, we slept over at my parent's house, woke up at 4:30 am, and started on our way.

Lake Tahoe - Day One


When we finally got to Lake Tahoe, Brandon and I could not get over how crystal blue the water was. It was beautiful and about 20 times cleaner than the Lake Powell water we had just seen (likely due to run-off). The mountains were covered in green trees and if there had been more pines, I would have thought we were back in western Oregon.

Since we got to the hotel and lake pretty late, we only had time for a hike around Upper and Lower Falls near Emerald Bay and a spendy dinner at the Bear Cafe (my cheese sandwich was eight bucks). Both hikes were very pretty. Julie had the courage to put her feet in the freezing cold water. The rest of us refrained. Part of the plan was to also hike down to Vikingsholm. While we were trying to find the trailhead, we ran into what looked like a bridge and groom having pictures done on a little ledge of rock that jutted slightly over the lake. A few of the family watched them while the rest of us looked around the particular trail we followed to see if it went down to Vikingsholm. It didn't and right when we were about to turn back, the lady taking the photos said, "We will be done in a few minutes. Vikingsholm is over there. We are trying to have a ceremony, so if you could please leave, that would be great." Awkward. Random ceremony where the photographer is also the pastor or priest or whatever . . . Anyway, we respected their privacy even though they were on very public grounds that were not reserved. Yeah, it still kind of irks me.

Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe, California





Upper Waterfall, Lake Tahoe, California









Lake Tahoe - Day Two


On Day Two, we finally found the trailhead to Vikingsholm and decided to hike down to it in the morning. The locals kept telling us that the hike was a big deal. They said that even our tennis shoes might not be good enough for the hike. Yeah. It was a longer than 6 foot wide trail on the way down and was only a mile round trip. Either the locals are playing us for fools or they need to start exercising.

The story of Vikingsholm is that this lady came to California and built a home in Emerald Bay because it resembled the fjords in Norway where she used to live. She also built little cabins around her home for guests to stay in and a little tea house on an island that she would boat guests out to. Pretty sweet, huh? Anyway, the house was exquisite. There were wooden carvings all over the place and it just had such a quaint feel. I loved it. I also love Norwegian fjords.

After hiking we rested and my dad rented a boat to take us tubing on for a few hours. The best part about the boat ride was that the tube we were using looked like a donut and didn't support a body very well because of the lack of above-water surface area. This means that we fell off of the tube multiple times without even being pulled. When we were pulled, the tube would dip back with the rider's head a few inches from the water with their feet sticking straight up. When Mom went, all I could see were her legs bouncing around on the tube and a high pitch scream. It was awesome!

After we finished boating, Dad rented one two-person kayak and we took turns going out on it. I think Brandon and I were on it the longest because we enjoyed it the most. I just really love the sound of the paddle dipping into the water and feeling a little like Pocahontas. I think I'm planning on buying a cheap kayak within the next year. We'll see.

Julie in a tree near Vikingsholm.

I just loved these awesome carvings. They remind me of some of the Irish art I saw on my study abroad last summer.


My good-looking husband, Brandon.

On Vikingsholm shoreline at Emerald Bay.
At one of the parks, there was a viewing spot where we could look at the bottom of the river. It was sweet. 



Julie at Vikingsholm.


We were thinking this tree would be a portal, like in Harry Potter.


Lake Tahoe - Day Three


This day mainly consisted of getting ready to go, eating, and driving. We arrived in San Jose in the middle of the afternoon.

San Jose - Mazy


One of the best additions to my grandparents' home is a little Chihuahua Rat Terrier named Mazy. Mazy is a good dog. She doesn't bark out of turn and she even stops at street corners to wait for cars to pass by. During our stay in San Jose, Brandon and I walked Mazy twice. I love when she starts running because her legs go a little sideways. My brother, Josh, thinks she was the runt of the group. I have to agree. We love her to death though.

Brandon loves Mazy, especially since he's not allergic to her.

Poppy, me, and Grandma with Mazy.

Poppy, Brandon, and Grandma with Mazy.


San Jose - BBQ


On the third day in San Jose, Josh made a BBQ for the family and his girlfriend. It was really fun and the burgers were great. We ate out on the patio where Grandma and Josh have been redesigning the look and feel of the backyard. There were these amazing lights, blue pottery, and pretty flowers everywhere! We even had a mini canteloupe from her garden.

San Jose - Good Memories


One of my favorite memories during the San Jose trip was talking on the patio with my family a few hours before they left for Utah. The sun was shining gold and Grandma pulled out some cookies. We smiled and joked. It was nice.

Great America

While we were in California, my parents took us to California's Great America in Santa Clara. We hadn't been there since I was very little, but we had a fun time trying out the rides and enjoying our time. Jessica and I remembered how the last time we went here, we had gone to a booth where you did karoke and they recorded it on a CD. We didn't know that they also blasted it around the park for everyone else to hear. Needless to say, it was a fun thing to remember.


Our favorite ride: The Tiki Twirl






I did a cool move.

And then everyone tried copying me.


Except Jessica.

And Brandon.





Hey Dad is finally in a picture!
 

Half Moon Bay


Half Moon Bay was one of the most beautiful coastal beaches I have been too. It's mostly free from tourists and when we were there at 8 am, there was a very long beach with light brown sand. There weren't many rock formations like there are in Oregon (Cannon Beach, for example), but it looked pretty similar. We were ultimately there for shells, but we didn't come early enough. All the pickings were gone. Instead, we walked along the shore and watched the horizon for seals, which we saw in abundance. I felt like I had made friends with one and referred to him as "Sea-Bobber." We also saw a large group of brown- or grey-winged heron. They would skim the crests of the waves with their giant wings all stretched out.

After about an hour in Half Moon Bay, we made our way down the coast to look at some tide pools. They were so fun and we tried our best not to play with the sea urchins. Jessica accidentally did because she could not overcome her curiosity. We think that might be illegal, but all she did was lightly touch it with her flip flop in her hand.

We were pretty much starving after this, so we found a coffee/breakfast shop. I got french toast and a mug of hot chocolate. It felt perfect for the climate and occasion.

Can I just say that I'm such a Pacific Northwest kind of girl? I miss the ocean!


The awesome herons skimming the wakes.

My little Sea Bobber.

Brandon and Me (8 month anniversary pic)
Mom the Mysterious, Julie the Jovial, Jessica the Jammer (music-wise), Jazlyn the Jumpy, and Brandon the Brutal. Dad the Dancer is taking the picture.

It looks like we're watching Jessica sing.




San Francisco


We went to San Francisco the same day as Half Moon Bay. We walked along Fisherman's Wharf and visited some of the shops. Mom made sure that she got salt water taffy and Dad was nice enough to get me these lavender, emerald-cut CZ earrings that I thought were very classy. We also visited the Rainforest Cafe, but didn't eat there since it was so expensive. I loved the atmosphere. Someday I would actually like to go back and eat there. Maybe for our anniversary.


San Franciscan sea lion.

Brandon, Spongebob, and me. Love you guys!

Jessica sunbathing?
Totally rad.

A disgusting looking cheeseburger at McDonalds.

Brandon, me, and Little Brandon/Jazlyn

This boring photo is actually us traveling down Lombard street. Super steep!


Temple


On the day my parents left, Brandon and I went to the Oakland temple to do an endowment session. My parents were married there on February 21, 1987 and it was awesome to walk around the grounds that they took their wedding pictures on. What a beautiful place to be! It was definitely a highlight of the trip.

The Latter-day Saint Oakland Temple. (P.S. They just dedicated the Payson temple on Saturday!)







Trip to Anaheim


The family left on Saturday afternoon to return to home, but Brandon and I stayed with Grandma and Poppy since we were leaving to Disneyland the next day. Later on Saturday night, Grandma came home with a paper bag from Trader Joe's full of treats for us! I loved them and I especially liked the packaging. Brandon and I were grateful to have them on our trip south.


These cookies made me want to have a hot chocolate/cookie party.


Disneyland - Day One


What an adventure! We spent the whole day in Magic Kingdom and then watched the fireworks and Fantasmic. I could not believe how exciting it was. We rode Indiana Jones about three times. I think Brandon's favorite ride on this day (and maybe all of the days) was Star Tours. It was really fun for him. I think mine was Indiana Jones. We rode on Space Mountain a few times as well and of course hit the most of the park we could. We also ate dinner at the Blue Bayou. It is an expensive restaurant that is part of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. I loved the crickets chirping and the twinkling lights. For anyone knew, we could've been outside.

Brandon and Jazlyn at Disneyland!

Winnie-the-Pooh in the background.

Tigger and Eeyore in the background.

Trying to pick up some weights at Toon Town. Not working! :)


Brandon is in Donald Duck's ship at Toon Town.
Minnie at the Soundsational Parade.

Mickey

Pluto is awesome!

Aladdin

Princesses on parade. (This is a subtle hint).

Snow White and Sleeping Beauty!!

Cinderella

Brandon and Adult Simba

Peter Pan and Mr. Schmee

The restaurant we ate at.

In the twinkling Blue Bayou


The one above is supposed to be a film of the Fantasmic... oh well!

Disneyland/California Adventure - Day Two


We spent about half the time in Disneyland and half the time in California Adventure. I had never been to California adventure before and absolutely loved Screamin' and Hollywood Tower of Terror (especially when my bag flew up toward my knees)! I was also awed again by the magnificent scenery depicted in Soarin' Over California. It's just jaw dropping. I think my parents would really enjoy that ride. This night we also saw World Of Color. It was hard to see, but I liked it. We went back to Thunder Mountain in the Magic Kingdom that night. I discovered that my favorite ride is Thunder Mountain in the back seat at night when the fireworks are going off. You can really see a good show from there.

By the end of the second day, my feet definitely fell like they were going to fall off. We had spent almost a total of 32 hours in the parks already. Having flat feet doesn't help. I seriously contemplated purchasing a wheel chair for the next day.


The beautiful, Rose-Pony I rode on King Arthur's Carousel.




Wearing the earrings Brandon picked out for me from Macy's a few weeks beforehand.

My dolphin ride on King Triton's Carousel at California Adventure.



Found these at Fisherman's Wharf.

What can I say? They're right.

Brandon before World of Color started.

Home to the best roller coaster ever (besides Buffalo Bill's): Screamin'

Creepiest ferris wheel ever.




Disneyland/California Adventure - Day Three


On this day, we went to IHOP for a special breakfast and then stood in line to get into the park. While we were waiting I noticed that there were two families in front of us. One family had two young, chubby blonde girls at about the age of four. I think they were twins. Totally adorable. The other family also had a small blonde girl who seemed like she had just turned about three. The small girl was spending her time running past her parents in a large loop and then coming back. Whenever she would come back, one of the twins would cry as the little girl hurdled past, "Wanna be my friend? Do y'wanna be my friend?" When the little girl got out of ear shot, the twin would stop asking, but as soon as she came back, the twin would ask the little girl to be her friend again.

This was the day we did all the rides that we hadn't done before. We also went to Ursula's Grotto and had fun with the acting segment of it. We went to the Future Land Cafe that night and I heard a girl cry to her mom, "Hey mom! My tooth is all shakey." She waggled her tooth at her mom. It reminded me of the little kid in Emperor's New Groove.

That night as I watched the fireworks, I almost cried. I was so sad to leave Disneyland.

This was all the people behind us waiting for the guy to move the rope so we could head on into Disneyland. In other words, we were at the very FRONT of the line on Main Street. Loved it.




Beat Brandon twice at the Toy Story Game Ride.

On a raft to Tom Sawyer's Island.

Brandon looking studly on the raft.


In front of Mickey.


I got the junior burger. BIG mistake!

My blurry burger is on the left and Brandon's nice, normal burger is on the right.
Date Night

After we got back, Brandon surprised me with a candle lit dinner. I think it was macaroni and cheese.

Se how there is a candle in the middle and I have a napkin cut out like a heart? :)

 

Just Some News


My brother, Justin, who is serving a mission for the LDS church in Hungary recently had his birthday and turned 21. This past month he also broke his wrist in two places while playing basketball. Don't worry! He will be all right. Haha, it's just part of the work, I guess. :)


More Photos:

Vikingsholm

Vikingsholm

Hotel at Lake Tahoe drinking the best chocolate milk.

Half Moon Bay

Whale bones at Half Moon Bay




A house I really want on Lombard Street in SF, CA.

Oakland Temple spire.

My cute, skinny husband at the temple.



Me resting on Minnie's bed in Toon Town.



Goofy and either Chip or Dale at the Soundsational Parade.

Ariel the Little Mermaid

Rapunzel

Belle