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!

AMY LOVE

So I have to give a big shout out to MISS AMY GIBSON for customizing my blog for me--- it's totally perfect and I love love it! Amy You're the bestest! I totally miss my SYTYCD/Chocolate Chip pancake/dance party roommate. She is totally married to her soulmate and I couldn't be happier for the 2 of them but I do miss our good times. Here are some classic pictures of us for old times sake...


The time where Amy saved me ...


Pool Party


The time we were black


The time when Amy got hit on by a lesbian in Mutts


The time when we had the best time ever at Amys wedding

Apparently I inspire poetry ... can't wait to get back to the tanner for more of this!

kiley my love, kiley my sweet i can't wait until we can meet
i've been waiting so long for your return, for you my heart does burn

Sunday ...

I decided I'm done writing. You can view my day through my photos. Enjoy.


Church






Neighbor Boys

Saturday was another fabulous day... It began with a visit from Miss Jennie Sorenson-Chappius visiting for a little morning breakfast in the District! She is another one of my favorite people from the Marriott School and since she recently relocated to Michigan with her fantastic husband, the odds of us seeing each other much in the future are somewhat slim.
We met up with Russ again and head to Eastern Market, a favorite place of mine in the District on a Saturday, and had the famous Blue Bucks. Sadly, they were a bit overrated and I learned afterward that the French Toast is a much better choice.
After breakfast, Russ was still feeling ill (dang you Smitty), and it was so so so hot, so Russ took a nap on my couch while I took a nap by the pool! I got a fabulous tan and hung out with my favorite Reserve Girls and began my next book: Women Dont Ask.
After a day of relaxation I ended up at not one, but TWO Luaus! And then went to BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT. I totally got scared in the movie and I'm pretty sure my stand-in-boyfriend had some bruises on his arm from my tight grasp during the 2nd half. Dont worry, I was still home alone (what's with all 3 of my roommates being gone over the same 4 days???), but I slept soundly which is great considering the Sunday I had ...

So I know, its been like a month or something. Call me crazy, but I've been busy. Not to mention battling writer's block with this lame writing environment. Seriously one of these days i'll get a few hours to make my blog pretty. In the mean time, I thought I would pull a London Blog on all of you, and summarize my weekend. It was such a fabulous weekend in the City, a perfect blend of all of my favorite things!

Friday July 18
Breakfast at KramerBooks: So one of my favorite people from Provo was in town, a Miss Christy Hellewell and so we met for Breakfast (a trend of ours) at a classic DC hotspot. The food was delicious and the company was even better!!



After that, I ventured over to check out the Phillips Collection. It is the first American Modern Art Museum that was started by a man named Phillips. The collection resides in his original home, which is beautiful, and includes some of my favorite impressionist artists pieces including Degas, Cezanne, Manet, Van Gogh, and many many more. Walking out of the Phillips I noticed the Society of the Cincinnati mansion. Mom and I had walked through there a year ago, so to relive old memories I ventured inside. I learned that Cincinnati (the city in Ohio also known as McNasti) was named after this Society! I learn new stuff everyday apparently...





Venturing out, once again, I decided to walk up Connecticut Ave and walk through the shops. This is probably one of my favorite past times. I didn't really buy much (although I did get some great tea at a little shop) but it was so refreshing to discover new stores and try stuff on just for the sake of it :) I also tried a DC Classic Ice Cream Place: Larry's Homemade Ice Cream. Pretty sure I dreamed about my Pomegranate Chocolate Chip Ice Cream last night! It was sooooo good.



A little more shopping and then a phone call from William Russell Tanner got me out of the stores and down to the Mall. Where we hit up the American Indian Smithsonian. It was so hot that day and apparently Russ and Smitty were living in close quarters because Smitty got Russ sick so Russ had to have a slurpie. So one Jolly Rancher Watermelon flavored slurpie later and we found ourselves at this great little dive Tai place for dinner. Everyone (ok so maybe just Smitty) had order envy ...my food was spicy and delectable!



I went home after that and fully intended on starting my blogging efforts when I got a call from Miss Becca Haynie to get Ice Cream in Georgetown and watch Step Up 2: The Streets. Well, needless to say, T Sweets was AMAZING as was Step Up 2. Great way to end a great day.