Belize Travel Log...

The purpose of this trip was to observe a medical training for my field study project. Ponseti International is a non-profit who trains doctors throughout the world on a non-surgical approach to treating club-feet. This is an amazing method, and I have found myself becoming a 'missionary' for it. Go to www.ponseti.info/ for more information.

So here's what I was doing in Belize:

Observing.


Helping children (observing).


This is #1 of 5 casts to make her feet normal.


By now she should have had all of her casting, and her feet are NORMAL. She will be able to run, jump, play, walk--everything.


Daily Living.


Fresh Coconut.

After the medical aspect of the trip, we were invited to go to Ambergris Island (also known as San Pedro) and live the resort life:

Which included a boat ride to the island at sunset.


The Island.


Our "villa".


Morning Kayaking rendezvous off our dock.


Yup that's me, lying in a hammock.


Church.


Our last picture on the island.

We had a valentines party. It was a huge success. I'm going to let Kristin tell the story:


Kristin's Blog

UNBELIZEABLE

Totally unbelievable that I got invited to go to Belize for a school project. Note: I found out about this on a Saturday, booked my flight Monday evening and left early Wednesday morning. CRAZZZY!

Since I was in CA (for meggies wedding and some interviews) and my passport was in Utah (where I live) -- I had to enlist the help of a friend to Fedex it to me. Isnt it amazing what FedEx can do for us? 24 hours later -- passport in hand, I head to LAX. I stayed the night in LA and woke up at 3am in order to catch my 6am flight. Who knew that LAX doesn't even open until 4:15? I spent my few minutes of downtime after checking in to read the newspaper...something that doesn't always happen in Provo.

After that I hopped on a plane to Dallas, grab lunch in Dallas and catch a 3 hour flight to Belize. Such a quick flight. So as I land in Belize -- it just looks like jungle down there. The airport is tiny and the best part is when we landed...and then turned around on the airstrip to head back and park. I walked off the plane (where do you get to do that anymore?) and into warm humid paradise (kinda). My group met me there at the airport and we headed to the hotel.

As we pull up to the hotel, we realize we are located on the ocean. It is beautiful! (see below). Our room looked over the Caribbean Sea and we were pretty sure we landed in paradise.

Meggies Wedding!!

So there was the first... and her name is Megan. The first of my girlfriends from High School to get married. Now, here is just a little shout out for my girlfriends from Stockdale High. I moved back to Bakersfield my senior year of High School, and became fast friends with a group of amazing girls. Megan is such a gem and the sweetheart of our group. She is so kind and giving and caring of others -- you can't find a person that doesn't adore her. So we weren't surprised when an amazing man fell in love with her and wanted to take her to the chapel.

Luckily I was able to travel home to attend her wedding and dance the night away with Brooke, Karah and Nicole. The ceremony was beautiful (her dad presided), and we loved the video Artie (meggies husband) made for her---especially since we saw ourselves in a few of the pictures :)

Here are some pictures of the event...

MIA

I know, its been a while since I've blogged, or been on g-chat, let alone in class or called any of you. I'm sorry things got a little crazy over the last few weeks.

I took off to CA for my girlfriends' wedding, then I got sick, then was traveling with pops for some networking/interviews/meetings, and THEN I got invited to go to Belize! Crazy, right? So between the logistics of getting ready to leave the country, and being out of the country, I've been MIA. I can't wait to catch you all up on my excursions---esp the pictures of tropical paradise.

FIRE IN THE HOLE!!!

So I've had my laptop for 4 years now. A good stint for a computer, I think. Although I've faced many computer woes in the last few months, luckily I have some great friends who have helped me and helped my computer hang in there until I'm done with school and (hopefully) get a job, and can afford a beautiful new piece appendage of my body... aka a new computer.

In addition to the wear and tear my computer itself has taken over the last few years, also my laptop cord has also suffered some normal wear and tear damages. I noticed on Tuesday that the cord wire was frayed. I remembered this happened a few months ago to my brothers computer, and that my dad had fixed it. Assuming that "fixed it" = slapped some electrical tape around the fray, I asked my friend Spencer to wrap some electrical tape around the wound.

As I held the cord steady, smoke seeped out of the cord. A small stream of smoke quickly lead into more and more smoke, which lead to a FLAME. Yes, folks, a FLAME. Of course I screamed, threw the cord across the room, and then proceeded to be mocked by my friends. It was a great time.

Needless to say I'm taking the cord back to my Dad to fix (apparently fix=more than electrical tape) and if he can't fix it, I'll pay the $80 for a new cord.

Sigh.

I almost don't know what to say to this:

http://sev.prnewswire.com/entertainment/20090107/LAW03007012009-1.html

Apparently everyone is jumping on the congress bailout bandwagon?!

WEATHER REPORT: SNOW

Pretty sure it hasn't stopped snowing since 1:00pm yesterday afternoon. I've had to scrape the snow off my car at least 3 times now. And when I say scrape snow, I mean at least 4" each time. This morning was the worst.

After spending 10 minutes getting the snow off my car, I tried backing out of the parking spot and GOT STUCK. Like seriously, stuck. This nice man got out of his car and taught me how to get out of the mess I had gotten myself into.

After finally getting out of my parking lot, it took me 30 minutes to go the 3 miles to school. Needless to say I regretted getting out of bed at 7am for class this morning.

I thus declare it a SNOW DAY. (oh did I mention it hasn't stopped snowing?)

Deliberating over the perfect gift? No need to look further: The Keyboard for Blondes (click on picture for larger image)



Click Here to purchase.

Watch an incredible video about this season and sending joy to everyone throughout the world.

Joy to Everyone

CLICK HERE to see momma on local tv for dustins diner...

For any of you that think it's cold where you live right now...just look at this forecast and know that I'm in the tundra.



note: keywords -- "dangerous" and "bitterly"

DUSTIN'S DINER

When people ask me about where I'm from, or what my neighborhood is like, I often tell them it's like a neighborhood you see in a movie---but that no one thinks exist anymore. The Haggin Oaks Neighborhood includes 4th of July block parties, Halloween parades and DUSTIN'S DINER.

I'm pretty sure Dustin and Daniel Kilpatrick didn't realize when they were 9 and 11 years old that their simple idea would become a tradition for next 15 years--- and raise over $140,000 (nearly $20,000 each year for the last few years). Although it originated at the Kilpatrick's beautiful home on St. Cloud, as of a few years ago, it has been held at my parents house on Haggin Oaks Blvd/St Cloud.

I feel so blessed to be part of DUSTIN'S DINER each year, and since I've been away at school, I always look forward to coming home and helping sell cookies and hot chocolate--it isn't Christmas without Dustin's Diner.

E. B. White said it perfectly:

"I arise in the morning torn between the desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day."

Papa.

13 Years ago today my Papa passed away. Needless to say I miss him--especially his humor, and all of the fun adventures we went on. I have fond memories of vacationing in Utah as a young young girl (4 years old) with Papa and Grandma Barbara. Those few weeks I stayed in Utah, I remember Papa teaching me how to catch butterflies and pester animals at the zoo. I also remember going on camping trips, and my only recollection of going fishing was with my Papa (again, as a very young girl). It wasn't too long after that that Papa got really sick. Although I didn't quite understand how the cancer was taking my grandpa from me, I still remember distinctly the day that he left us. Every year on December 5th, I think of him. The years that I'm not living in Bakersfield, I wish I was so I could take some flowers by his resting place.

Although he's not here now, my Papa will always be a part of my life, and I'm grateful for the memories I have with him.

Purchasing my First Christmas Tree.

Monumental! My roommate, Holly, and I purchased our first real Christmas Tree. I never realized what an investment this would be. There are so many issues that have to be settled before making a deal. And not to mention that those tree lot guys are at a total advantage that it is COLD outside---therefore, buyers just want to make a purchase and get their tree home already. Also, most of us haven't brushed up on our current market research on trees... so negotiating is pretty tricky too.

After asking about 300 questions, we bought our tree. I'm pretty sure we got fully taken advantage of, but we are confident it will be the most beautiful tree ever.

Merry Chrsitmas!

(as always...pictures to come)

Probably the most fantastic thing I've seen this season.

An attitude of Gratitude

Especially after reading my humble sisters' post on gratitude (if you haven't read it yet, click here), I feel like it is my turn to express my appreciation for the many many blessings I have receieved.

Love

From my Family. Coming home for Thanksgiving and spending time with my Mom and Dad and the little ways that they show their love for me; My Love. Funny text messages, emails and visits, the many sweet reminders of why I love Ryan so much; and Friends. I am so so blessed with so many wonderful friends. Friends in Bakersfield, Orange County, San Diego, DC, Minot, Provo ... and everywhere else. Friends that lift me up, inspire me and make me want to be a better person every day.

The Gospel

The peace that the knowledge of the gospel brings, the atonement of Jesus Christ, and the impact that it has on my daily life.

Temples

The ability to attend, feel the peace, be inspired and do The Lord's Work.

Missionary Work

My sister who is working so hard on a mission to bring others to the gospel, and all of the opportunities I have to share the gospel.

Opportunity

Opportunity to learn, opportunity to work, and although I am currently jobless after graduation, I know that I am in a position of opportunity and will end up in the 'right' place.

Innovation

Have you seen the new Google Themes?? Ok so maybe not the best example, but I am also grateful for incredibly innovative people that solve the worlds' problems in new and exciting ways.

COLDPLAY

Is amazing. Period.

The concert last night renewed my soul of the aching that it felt yesterday afternoon.

Pictures to come soon.

Boston Red Sox Second Baseman, Dustin Pedroia wins Most Valuable Player award

My brother likes to tell me I should have been nicer to this guy in high school. I rebutted that we are two peas from a different pod. But at any rate, it's still awesome to see someone from Woodland High, be the best in the nation.

Apparently Rookie of the Year and MVP back to back is a big deal?

Congrats to Pedroia.

Read the full article HERE.

I DID IT!!!

30 Days Clean

and it feels so good I may just keep going. Seriously, who knew I could last with out DP, or V.DP even, for 30 days?! Surprisingly it really wasnt that hard, but perhaps it was the vision of accomplishing such an arduous goal that kept me going?

Not sure.

I'm also not sure what my "next steps" are. Do I create another goal and keep going? Or do I fall off the wagon and slowly implement it back into my life? I have to admit, I miss the sweet taste but not much else. Luckily my body hasn't reacted too strongly without it.

If you have a strong opinion on this, please let it be known.

The Christmas Season has Officially Begun!

I have now heard "Where are you Christmas" and Manheim Steamrollers on the radio. I dont know any better way to kick off the Christmas season!! Yayy.

Tag from Danielle

8 TV Shows I like to watch: (in no specific order)

1. Project Runway
2. FRIENDS
3. What Not to Wear
4. The Office
5. Desperate Housewives (ok so I've actually given this one up)
6. Psych (Matthew's got me hooked)
7. Arrested Development
8. So You Think You Can Dance

8 things that happened yesterday:

1. Read in 1 Nephi and from the Conference Issue of the Ensign
2. Tuesday Lunch group -- Perhaps my favorite part of the week :)
3. Solicited my classmates (during class --shhh don't tell my professor!) to take the wii survey for the MPA lounge
4. Worked on my Christmas list ... yayy for buying Christmas presents!
5. Watched The Office in HR Law
6. Sonic Run/delivered to me... don't worry I totally got a Strawberry Limeade
7. Talked to Ry-Guy on the phone
8. Homework/prepped for a presentation/attended class...as much as I hate to admit it, this was the bulk of my day.

8 favorite places to eat:

1. Yoasis, frozen yogurt in Provo
2. Glorias Little Italy in Provo
3. El Pueblo in Bakersfield (ok so really, Lamont)
4. Wonderland Bakery in Newport Beach
5. Woolgrowers in Bakersfield
6. Borough Market in London
7. Dewars in Bakersfield California
8. Chocolate by the Bald Man in New York, New York

8 things I am looking forward to:

1. Thanksgiving and hanging out with Mom, Dad, Grandma & the whole Musick Fam-- oh and of course T Girl and her cute family + seeing The Girls (nicole, megs, brookie, karah, michelle)
2. November 28 --when i finally get to see Ry again
3. Everything CHRISTMAS (ie: music, lights, trees, pine smells, gifts, treats, the christmas feeling, the nutcracker, and tons of christmas parties and festivities)
4. Getting settled in my ward
5. Cooking dinner this week ... and actually using my favorite cookbook "The Little Black Apron - A Single Girl's Guide to Cooking with Style and Grace"
6. Having a job and not stressing about what I'm going to do after graduation (and not having to answer "I dont know" or "Looking for a job" when people ask)
7. Getting married one day ...becoming a mom and having my decisions of the day be "what snack should I make for the kids and which pool should we go play at?" oh and living out my life plans ...
8. Serving a mission.

8 things on my wish list:

1. more time with my love
2. more time with my nieces & nephew
3. vaca to Tahiti
4. a new winter wardrobe...and all the time it takes to buy a new wardrobe
5. having a world without poverty and pain... and being a part of it
6. a job (for after I graduate)
7. iPod Nano + running device (so my motivation to run will increase)
8. not to have to take sampsons class

8 people that I tag:

1. Kelsie
2. Tarin
3. Brittany
4. Amy
5. Caleb
6. Jared
7. Chris
8. Jessamyn

Young @ Heart

so cute right?!

I think we all like to say we are young at heart, but how many of us really are, or better yet, how many of us really

act

like it?? Pretty sure I need to first start acting my age ... let alone acting

younger

than I am. So here's to some people that not only act YOUNG at HEART, but also broadcast it to the the US & The World.

So go rent the movie, take notes and let's start

singing

(Hey, I'm just trying to spread a little happyness into our lives here)

CLICK HERE to learn more.

Our own Billiam has been advocating relentlessly for a Wii in the MPA lounge for months now. Thanks to the MPAA we are one step closer to accomplishing this goal!! Please take the survey and support this glorious cause:

Click here to take the survey.

My Travels in 2008

January:
Orange County, California/San Diego, California

February:
Washington, D.C.

March:
Denver, Colorado

April:
St. George, Utah/Zions/Kolab Canyon

May:
Duck, North Carolina
Alexandria, VA
Washington DC
Rockville, Maryland (Ok I worked there)

June:
Utah (yes I came back to visit)
Baltimore, Maryland

July:
NY, NY
Philadelphia, Pennsylvannia
Rehobeth, Delaware

August:
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Oahu, Hawaii

September:
Provo, Utah (*I moved BACK to Provo)
Minneapolis, Minnesota

October:
Monterrey, Mexico
Chicago, Illinois
St. Joseph, Michigan

Future Travels...

November:
HOME :)

December:
Any ideas?

Hi my name is Kiley and I love me a Dr. Pepper

I used to think that I had my addiction under control. I would always always drink water (with lemon of course), until a paper would be due, midterms, or some other stressful time in my life when I would begin to indulge in my favorite drink. Often, I would frequent Sonic or Crest to take this addiction to the highest level of quality with a little Vanilla in my Dr. Pepper. Seriously, could life get any better than this?

Upon my return to the fateful Tanner Building this fall, the C4C (caffeine for cougars) was back in full effect and began to drink DPs daily. However, as time when on one drink turned into 2-3 drinks/day. A bit excessive? Perhaps. However, the true expression of this addiction came when my loving boyfriend had a 44oz V.D.P ready for me in the car when he picked me up for our date. So sweet, but totally made me realize: I have an addiction.

So, I made an executive decision to QUIT. Yes, my friends, I said QUIT. It has now been 19 days and I am not only clean from DP, but also from my other love/lust ... starbucks java chip ice cream. Sigh. I'm such a good person.

I have 11 more days to reach my goal.

First Day of Snow.

It started snowing/flurry-ing last night. However, when I awoke to snowcapped rooftops, I knew it was official.

11/5 = First Day of Snow

Luckily my car was parked outside .... which means lucky me, I get to scrape the snow off my car before I can drive to school. So I get out the door a few minutes early, and I brace myself for numbing hands and snowflakes on my eyelashes. However, when I get to my car, it was brought to my attention that someone, some saintly neighbor, decided to do a good deed this morning, scraped the snow off my windows for me!! Seriously, could he/she have made my morning any better?!!

So, here is a Shout Out to my annonymous neighbor:

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

Election Day ... almost as good as Christmas Day :)

Anticipation is 90% of the fun... dont worry I already have my races identified on CNN.COM for when the polls start coming in.

YES ON PROP 8

Now, please understand that this issue has nothing to do with disciminating against homosexuals and taking away their rights-- it is a matter of principle and defining what I believe marriage to be: between a man and a woman.

I realize that in the last 24 hours, opponents to this proposition have increased their efforts and decided to take on celebrity buy-in, incudling not only Brad Pitt and Ellen DeGeneres, but also our very own Steve Young and even The Terminator!!

The persecution that proponents of Proposition 8 have recieved is disheartening, and it saddens me to hear of the treatment people recieve for standing up for what they believe to be true. I thought we lived in a country with freedom of speech?

Tomorrow will prove to be one fateful day. Please evaluate your basic principles and where your heart truly stands on the issue before going to the polls tomorrow.

So ... needless to say I am back in Provo.

Something I have realized upon returning to Happy Valley is that this place sucks the life out of me. Or maybe its not so much Happy Valley as it is the Tanner Building. My life turns into such a short term view of day to day (or minute to minute) survival-mode. Any words of wisdom to escape me from my current state?

I had 2 classes on Balance yesterday--- although let's be honest, the first one was just "teaching" us how to be a good housewife to a successful businessman or for men, how to not be a crappy husband/dad The second lecture did hold more relevance as we discusses how each of us prioritize our time between work(school), physical/personal needs, family and relationships, and spiritual growth/service to others. As I reflected on this, I realized that my personal needs and growth seem to be the first to go. (which is not a great sign when I am still yet single and have the "time" to look out for "me"). At any rate, I have decided to come up with a plan to put my life back into balance. It started with an evening to myself last night, and a lil bit of Legally Blonde to inspire me :)

I think I might be on the right track...

On Tuesday August 26 at 9:04PM Tarin gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. (Dont worry--I saw the whole thing in person). Charlotte Louis was 8lbs 1oz and 19 1/2 inches long. She is so so beautiful.

Nicolaus and Caidence are still trying to figure out what they think of having a new baby sister, but I know they will love her and love playing with her as much as they love each other.

It is so incredible to be invited to be in the room to see the miracle of birth. It really is incredible. Although, I'm pretty sure Marc had a great position to see my perplexed face as I watched the whole thing happen--- I was concentrating so hard! haha. Sorry no photo of that, but there are pictures of charlotte below.


Brand New


Big Brother & Big Sister


Still Deciding


Chunky Baby. Love it.

Have you ever seen that FRIENDS episode?...

You know, the one where Rachel is past due? And it's all she can do to NOT kill Ross? So think of that when I tell you that my sister is officially past due. Ok, just KIDDING. Tarin is totally not that bad. But the poor girl really does want Baby Charlotte out of her. She is supposed to be induced today; which made her real happy yesterday, but we are still waiting for the call to say when the inducement (is that a word?) will happen.

I guess I can't relate to what she is going through. (a) I've never been preggers; (b) I've never had 2 lil kids begging for my attention all day while I'm 9mos preggers; and (c) I've never given birth.

Poor girl. I don't think I could handle any of those things right now! Good thing I dont have to. I just get to wait for a beautiful new niece. Yaaaaaaayyyyyyy!

So I realize there has been a lack of posting lately. Let me give you a brief update of my life:

Tues Aug 5 - Fly back from Minn. My computer crashes, but some MIRACLE it starts working a few hours later (after I wake up everyone I know on the west coast to freak out about it). Travel turns into an all day affair when my flights get delayed. Arrive in DC and work from home...
Wed Aug 6 - back in the office. Work 10 hours and then 5 more from home.
Thurs Aug 7 - work 10 hours in the office, then 3 more from home.
Fri Aug 8 - dont have to go into the office, but head over to Bus Boys & Poets (AMAZING) to have an incredible lunch .... and dinner as I work a full 12 hours from the same spot on my couch! Go home, watch the Olympmic Opening Ceremonies with my roommates and then crash.
Sat Aug 9 - Work some more ... head to the pool for some relaxation ... hang out with my roommates, start to pack my stuff up, and then yes, work some more. Dont worry, Haggin Daas Mocha Chip got me through the night :)
Sun Aug 10 - My Last Sunday in DC. Great Sunday School with Becca Haynie, and a Great Relief Society Lesson. Followed by an INCREDIBLE Reserve+our fav people night of MREs by Barbara, and Saints and Soldiers (pictures to come soon....sorry for the wait).

Mon Aug 11 - My big day. 1 hour 1/2 workshop presentation to my boss and members of the team. I think it went pretty well :) Final lunch with my team and clearing up my work area ....sad. After work I met my roommates at CHOPT (incredible salad place) for salads...then we headed to the Mall for the PRE-Screen on the Green (seriously people this is the best part!) We enjoyed the weather, the scenery and each others company. Love love love. Then I went home to finish packing.
Tues Aug 12 - Last day at the office. Somewhat anticlimactic. No one was in the office really, so it was quiet, I had some work to do, and then one of my favorite people decided to take me out to my FAV DC Lunch place-- Moby Dicks for my favorite salad and HUMMUS (OMG I could eat this stuff with a SPOON!) I left work and went straight to the airport. Only to find out my stuff was overweight (BOO I had to pay more $$) and finally arrive home home at 3am. Sigh.

Dont worry I had 1.5 days until I left for vacation. Which is where I still am now. Luckily its BEAUTIFUL and much needed break. Note picture below...more to come!

$300 Fun party girl 21+ needed!! (Orem)

Looking for a chill girl to move into my apartment in September!! My apartment is awesome. It's near Walmart, has w/d, dishwasher, balcony, close to UVU and Walmart, just down the street from the mall...come check it out!! My old roommate is staying in her old room for the next month or it'd be available now (sorry!!) PLEASE PLEASE 21+ I can't have minors in my house because of alcohol. Snap me an email, come look!! Also, no cats or dogs whatsoever!! No males, I'd love to have a male roommate but our landlord is against it. Friends, guys, etc are very welcome, as I will have mine over :) Completely furnished with a twin bed, computer desk, and dresser. $300/month, and only about $30/month for all utilities. Only downfall is that it is on the third floor, but I will so help you get your stuff up!!

I'm moving in next week. Like totally for sure.

Baby Charlotte

Can you come out to play already???

For those of you who don't know, my sister Tarin, is preggers and due any day now! Ok, so she's not due for another 18 days, but I keep praying that lil Char will want to see her Aunt Kiley before I take off for school! Tarin's convinced Charlotte will come to us a week later than originally planned, but lets all pray for ME (ok and Tarin too) that she will come a little bit sooner.

Yay a new baby. Dont worry I still love Caidence and Nicolaus to pieces. Marc and Tarin make the cutest babies ever.

Doncha Know? ...

Thankfully I survived my hiatus to Minnesota without picking up the Minnesotan accent or lingo. And for those of you who thought there was nothing to do in the Twin Cities... here's to you! I had a fantastic time learning about this part of American Culture/History that I had never known before! Not only is Minnesota home to the LARGEST mall in America, it is also home to the original mall of America!! Yes, the one that shaped history by beginning the endless supply of indoor shopping plazas! Not sure yet if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but definitely an American thing! There was plenty to see and do and probably my favorite excursion was riding around on a Segway. Don't worry I quoted GOB the whole time I was on it! :)


City Skyline


Beautiful lakes



"Illusion, Michael. A trick is something a whore does for money."

One Year Ago This Weekend...

I was in Paris, or Pariii, if you will. I thought the only way to properly commemorate that fabulous experience would be to repost my blog about that weekend. It also allows me to properly showcase my ONE AND ONLY little sister, Miss Ashley and the incredible opportunity we had to be in Europe all summer together last year. LOVE YOU SIS KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK IN KIRTLAND!

____________________________________________________________________________________

I love Paris in the Springtime...
I hate to admit it, but I just dont have time to really blog about Paris so I'll just let the pictures do the talking. I had a fabulous 3 days in this city, although I was more of a tourist than anything else, which really doesn't let you fall in love with a city. Fab art and Fab food though. I can't wait to go back and discover more!




Notre Dame was so incredible!! Of course the best part was walking up the spiral staircases to get to the argoyles and the bell tower!! Ashley and I went right up inside of it! The views of Paris were amazing and especially to look out and see the Eiffel Tower for the very first time!!



We decided to be amitious (ok we really just dont have any mileage perception on a map) and walk from Notre Dame to the Eiffel Tower.... 4 hours later we finally made it! Haha but of course is the joy in the journey...we saw a photo shoot with this fabulous girl (see picture) that totally epitomized any fantasies we had about this romantic city! We also saw the Champ Elysses, which is Anna's Paris Must-See so that was great too.


Ahh...our first close up views of the Eiffel Tower! We found ourselves aimlessly walking through alleys and neighborhoods of Paris, hoping to run into it as we got closer and closer and couldnt see it over the city skyline. Once we caught a glimpse of it we ran to it, and then ran up the million stairs to get to the top!!

What an incredible view! For me this was such an awe-moment, I have studied Urban Planning and Paris and the city sightlines was inspiration for our very own Washington DC, after studying this city for the design and forethought, it was so amazing to see it from the top of the Eiffel Tower!



Next we met up with our group to go on a cruise on the Seine River, which takes you around the City of Love. We saw EVERYTHING, the building the White House was built after, the Louvre, the D'Orsay, Norte Dame, you name it, we saw it. We also ended our cruise right as they were lighting up the Eiffel Tower (it blinks every 10 minutes after 10pm!) We were enchanted with this amazing city!


We stopped for a moment and held hands as we looked up at the glittering Eiffel Tower. I remember thinking how lucky I was to be sharing that moment with the people I had grown to love over the past short months in Europe. They will always have a special place in my heart.


Haha, after that special moment we decided to go grab something to eat. Lexy and Patrice had gone to this little restaraunt earlier they like and wanted to take us there. I remember I was so tired I practically fell over in my chair that night. After what seemed a forever meal, we left the restaraunt and immediately realized we were pretty much lost. Anna started speaking french to anyone she saw, trying to get directions. Lexy was lost in her map, and I was so tired I just remember wandering the streets of Paris praying we could figure out our way home. We did and soon I was fast asleep.


Ahh the LOUVRE!! What an INCREDIBLE building/museum!!! That thing is HUGE so we decided to tackle it by going to JUST the bare essentials. After getting lost inside a few different times we saw some amazing pieces of art and were all inspired.





The Famous Mona Lisa.














Saying goodbye to Paris with Phantom of the Opera on my shuffle as we pull out of the train station.

No Wonder We Are Overweight.
Here's to you Willy Wonka!

Life-Cycle Studies: Candy Bars



Stop at almost any checkout counter and you'll find dozens of varieties of candy bars. In the United States, where people consume an average of 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of candy each per year, candy bars are associated with popular holidays like Halloween and Valentine's Day. In Scotland, the deep-fried Mars bar, dipped in batter and immersed in a vat of boiling oil, swept the country in the late 1990s.

Some 150 new candy bars hit the shelves every year, but 65 percent of U.S. brands have been around more than six decades. The first composite bar, the Goo Goo Cluster, debuted in 1912, luring buyers with its mix of milk chocolate, caramel, marshmallow, and nuts. The 1920s were the heyday of candy bars, with the emergence of brands like Three Musketeers, Baby Ruth, and Snickers-still the best-selling bar of all time. (More short-lived were the Chicken Dinner and Tummy Full, touted as cheap meal substitutes during the Great Depression.)

Mars and Hershey control 75 percent of the U.S. candy rack. Switzerland's Nestlé is the world's largest chocolate producer, and British candy bars, like the Cadbury Crunchie, maintain a strong following worldwide.

Production
The history of candy bars is a quest for ways to produce a more consistent product at lower cost. In 1958, Mars was able to cut the time spent per bar from 16 hours to 35 minutes. Today, precision machines mix, shape, and package bars at a rate of several hundred a minute.

Nearly all chocolate comes from tropical countries, where the cacao beans are picked, fermented, and sun-dried before being shipped to factories worldwide. There, they are roasted and winnowed, and the inner nib is crushed, heated, and ground into a thick "liquor" that consists largely of cocoa butter, a vegetable fat. The cocoa butter is mixed with various ingredients, such as sugar, milk, and vanilla, to form different types of chocolate.

The resulting mixture is kneaded between large steel rollers to make a smooth paste, and then "conched," or heated, mixed, ground, and stirred, to develop its flavor. An enrober is used to shower the liquid chocolate on lines of fillings, such as nougat, wafers, and caramel, most derived from water- and chemical-intensive commodities like corn, flour, and sugar. The bars then are wrapped and shipped to stores via truck or airplane. Once the candy is eaten, the wrapper is simply tossed, ending up in landfills or the open environment.

Doing It Better
Concerns about the use of child labor have sparked ambitious efforts to regulate chocolate production. The 2001 Harkin-Engel protocol aims to ensure that half the cocoa originating in West Africa, a leading producer, is free of exploitative child labor by July 2008. In general, the trend is toward "gourmet" products, including items that are handmade, made with local and organic ingredients, and fairly traded. The organic chocolate market is growing by more than 50 percent annually, and Mars, Hershey, and other candy makers are developing "artisan" brands.

So what's your favorite candy bar?

One of my Favorite Summer-time Activities

I'm not sure what it is, exactly, that has such appeal about watching a movie outside on a big screen. Is it the paranoia that my face is getting attacked by mosquitos? Or perhaps its the awkward uncomfortable position that comes from looking up while sitting on a blanket on the grass ... whatever it may be, I absolutely LOVE summer movies on the beach, in the park, or on the Mall, as the DCer's do it.

Last night a big group of us gathered on the Mall to watch Arsenic and the Old Lace (a Cary Grant Classic-- weird but totally fun) with about 800 other DC locals. The weather was perfect, I made some new friends, had an incredible salad from Chop't, and couldn't have asked for a better Monday night activity.

I am truly going to miss DC. Sigh.

An Ode to Sonic

So I have come to realize that the only thing that got me through 2nd semester of grad school was my (frequent) SONIC drink runs with the one and only Miss Hells Bells herself as my saving grace. Considering the vast number of drinks I consumed at BYU, I have attempted to cut out my carbonated drinks since living in DC this summer. Ok so not having a Sonic in the District has helped with this cause.

Needless to say when I find myself in the presence of a Sonic, I force my driver to stop so I can taste, once again, the deliciousness of a VDP. (So far this has happened twice....both on the way to the beach; once in VA and once in DE).

Thank you VA and DE for keeping my spirits alive and my taste buds happy!