magical L.A. weekend

this weekend was FANTASTIC.

I was making fun of Shauna for her verbage this weekend--but it really was nothing short of magical.
I loved the whole thing. Hard to do when I'm missing my besties this much.

Friday, I went to the Padres game at Petco Park with my friend Nick. For those of you who don't know me that well,

(A. I'm not sure why you're reading this, but glad to have you 2. I just want to get to D, and D. please tell me who you are, I don't hate comments.)

I LOVE BASEBALL.

something verrrrrry all-American about this sport. I may be a jersey chaser. But maybe I'm a jersey chaser because that's how much I love the sport. We will never ever know. I am very supportive. Somebody can be very attractive, but put them in a uniform and it's really quite pathetic. My heart melts.

EXHIBIT A:

Chase happens to be a very attractive 2nd baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Here he is in his uniform.



Here he is without it.
(still attractive, but not nearly as appealing. no offense Chase. I would still take you.)

It's not science people.

So Nick and I went to the game, and it was amazing. I loved it. We did everything you're supposed to do at a baseball game.

We ate peanuts. We drank cokes. We ordered hot dogs. We yelled "BEAT LA" to all of the drunks sitting around us. We provoked Dodger fans. We stood up and sang in the seventh inning stretch. So so fun. And in case you didn't realize from my last post how close I work, I will show you again.


this will not be my last baseball game.

Saturday I was a little unsure about how my weekend would unfold, so I talked to my very good friend Shauna, who is hilarious, living in L.A., and who you should be friends with here.

She convinced me the 122 mile trek was not too far to see her
(even after driving 600 miles LAST Sunday, and commuting everyday to work), and that I would not be sorry. I must really love this kitty.


So I drove to L.A. Saturday afternoon to find kitty in her sweatpants moving all of her stuff from her apartment. She failed to tell me she was using me for my car and my Mexican arms that have been lifting 20 lb weights with my very own personal trainer.
(read her good stuff here)

I wasn't even mad though. I love this little lady dearly and would do it again in a heartbeat.
Plus she called me a tender mercy.


We moved all of her stuff into a very difficult to reach storage unit (it really was like PacMan), only to find that we had to Tetris-ize her stuff to make it fit in the 4 x nothing unit that costs more than some Provo rent.
It's Los Angeles.

Ate some Chipotle, as every hard-working Mexican should, and then went and met up with Shauna's and my now friend (I Facebook confirmed) Peter.

We had the most amazing dinner at this place called "Gjelina"--a Mediterranean style restaurant on Abbott Kinney Blvd., a super trendy area of Venice Beach. We ordered some kind of pasta (mini), a margherita pizza, and fries.

Thank goodness our very odd waiter who refused to speak reminded us that they're called "Frites".
Peter: And an order of french fries.
Waiter: oh you mean frites.
Sure.



Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart even ate here together in December. Tender.


We put our names in around 9 p.m., and didn't even get seated until around 10:30 p.m, which was okay because we got to see the BEST PART OF LA. The Venice Beach canals. It was so cute all lit up at night, which made it difficult to take good pictures. And it made it into the movie Valentines Day, and Because I Said So (according to Shauna, I've never seen either.)

We went back to Peter's house, watched SNL, and laughed really REALLY hard at this SNL short--




REALLY late Saturday night I was able to visit with my friend Justin Morgan from high school. He's living down in L.A., and just finished up his second year of law school at USC. Love him. He is darling.

Sunday, Shauna and I went to church, and then sipped Diet Cokes while driving around the bendy roads of Beverly Hills and sang to old country songs. Like "I Want A Man That Stands Beside Me" by Jo Dee Messina, and "That Summer" by Garth Brooks. Man, those are good.

Favorite part:

Shauna: Kitty, I am so so glad you are here.
Me: I was part of your past life, but now I am here!
Shauna: I know! Now you're in my present life too! That makes you relevant.

Finally, we went to get dinner at the Coral Tree Cafe, where it just so happens The Hills cast thought would be the perfect place to eat in the premiere. NBD.



And then I drove home.

It was MAGICAL.

just a little kitty in the big city

last Sunday, I moved to San Diego. all by myself.
I drove 11 hours, by myself, which was okay, because my Dad said he would pray for me.
Thanks Dad.

and just like he said I would be, I was fine. I detached myself from my mother's apron strings, got myself some 32oz Diet Cokes along the way, some peanut m&m's, Megan's mixed CD she made just for me, and I was on my way.

I'm living in San Diego with my darling friend Brittany Pierce's family until she gets here in June, and then we will be roomies.

I'm interning at a public relations/advertising agency called j. simms agency in downtown--about a 25 minute commute.

This is my view. I LOVE it.I will only be working part-time, so I also have applied at my favorites.

J. Crizzle, Anthropologie, and Pottery Barn. I will let you know how it goes, mainly for the discount I'll be helping you out with.

just since being here, I've already settled into a little bebis routine.
I love routines.

I located the closest 7-11's to work and to home-- check.
mapped out 4 and 5 mile run routes from the house -- check.
grocery shopped for my favorite things

• diet cokes
• kashi cereal
• lean wraps
• bananas
• and peanut butter)

and settled into bed by 10:30 watching all good things on hulu.

parenthood, modern family, friday night lights, the marriage ref, LOST--
it's going to be a very busy summer.

so who is going to come visit?

(Mike- I don't care what you say I am a sophisticated kitty who happens to like bunny food. but I will try a fish burrito if it makes you happy. only because kitties are supposed to like fish.)

miss leslie ann

A little bit late of a post.
Whatever.

I love Mama Hutch. She is seriously amazing. Who else could raise 8 kids, who haven't killed each other, made it to college (Manta and Marmet don't screw up!), and all have strong testimonies of the church?

She has been through so much, in her own life, and in supporting her kids through their difficult trials. I have never met anyone as tender-hearted, caring, patient, and loving as her. All of my friends remind me how lucky I am to have her.
I sometimes hate that she has such a deep and caring heart, for she truly feels more than others feel sometimes, but I also know that her joy is also greater.
Happy is the heart that still feels pain Mama!


Our home has always been a place of refuge and comfort, for myself and for others--in no small part because of her. She always has a hug when I need it, she says the right things, and is a true testament of what it is to unconditionally love, and to have faith in all things.

This past week I had the opportunity to be home with family before moving to San Diego--and even though I haven't kept in great contact with high school friends, I couldn't think of anyone I'd rather hang out with than her.

Every time I go home I revert back to being 5 years old.

"Mom, what are you doing? Can I do that?"
"Mom, where are you going? Can I come?"
"Mom, what are you eating? Can I have some?"
"Mom, what are you watching? Can I watch that?"

Thanks for letting me help you, spending time talking on our lunch dates, shopping dates, sharing your food, getting me hooked on ridiculous television shows,
(If you haven't watched Ghost Whisperer yet, it's the only thing I've ever liked Jennifer Love Hewitt in. Watch it. It's ridiculous.)

and for letting me cuddle in your bed with you until it's way past any normal parent's bedtime.



Coming home to spend time with you is my favorite part about coming home. I miss you already.

I LOVE YOU MAMA HUTCH.

Happy Mother's Day.

NOTE: also I realized after this post where I get my no-picture-taking-rule from.
Sibs: We need pictures of us, with mom, minus matching outfits ASAP. okay?

cookie monsters

I love my nephews more than any other nephews in the whole entire world. This is a very bold statement. But it's true.

I didn't realize how much I missed these little faces while they were out of town for two weeks until Andre' and I went up to Jaclyn's for dinner on Sunday.

Since Andre' and I are trying to get rid of every single crumb in our cabinets before we both leave for the summer (seriously, where did I pick up some of this food? I will never ever eat that box of pasta roni. let's be honest.), Andre' brought up his baking remnants to make chocolate chip cookies with the boys. So many things wrong with this scenario.

(don't worry, Ethan's actually not angry. this is his "cheese" face.)

1. Andre' in the kitchen--not cooking, but baking.
2. two little boys under the age of 3, cooking with their cookie illiterate uncle.

There was flour everywhere. Andre' had the white powdery stuff all over his shirt. Aidan wanted to do everything, Ethan wouldn't stop eating the cookie dough, although he was very willing to share.

these cookies are way too big. a few casualties, and then Andre' gave up all together and made pizookies. (is that what they're called?)

we love each other.

currently...

my life is crazy. I think I like it that way. TBD.

I got hired at J. Simms Agency in San Diego for a summer internship.
I leave soon. Like really soon. And then I don't come back until August.

I was voted Vice President of Digital Communications for PRSSA at UVU...holleratchya.
Anything for a resume.

Started running again. This was very short lived. Maybe this had to do with running 5 miles
when they told me to do 2. Whatever.
They are making me wear a Kobe Bryant calf sleeve.

Started packing up my stuff...my new address is Slate Canyon Storage Units.

Since beginning to pack up said stuff, I no longer have television. Trying to not get distracted during finals...instead I stay up til 2am watching The Marriage Ref on Hulu. GOOD STUFF.

If not on Hulu, I am playing Words With Friends. Never not playing Words With Friends.
Maybe I shouldn't play this game--some of said friends only play four letter words.
I don't think any less of you, promise. Kind of.
Other friends, that will remain unnamed probably cheat at WWF.
Raj is a word? No. He is the guy at 7/11.

Did NOT run in the Salt Lake marathon, and neither did Megan.
My leg is still a bum, and she missed the sign up date.
The universe obviously did not want Megan to compete without me.
Our friend Janae however, did run it. In 3:20. First in her age group.
We did the math...that's a 7 1/2 min/mile folks.
She's insane, and my new idol. (just kidding, I still think the church is true.)

Went and got my hair cut with Megan and Benita in Pleasant Grove at our friend Hilary's...and simultaneously learned that PG smells because there is a poop plant there.
When they stir it, it smells. Go figure.

Facebook in fact, makes terrible suggestions. It suggested I become a friend with my ex boyfriend's fiancee.
Facebook, get real.

Riding on beach cruisers with no gear shifts uphill is probably the equivalent of an hour long spin class.

Megan and I learned that our favorite Pizza Factory meal is approximately .50 cheaper on the lunch menu...now we go at lunch.

Arizona soft drinks are only .78cents. Crest is $1.38.
If we lived in Arizona, we'd be approximately 50% richer.

I still love teeny bopper music. JoBros, Miley Cyrus, and Justin Bieber have dominated my summer playlists three years in a row. Who cares?

My bestest Beth comes into town to graduate this week. I love her. One day, we will own houses in the same cul de sac.

I somehow managed to escape doing laundry for the past four weeks. The last time I did it was right before New York, and then the consecutive weekend trips didn't help.
(My life is really really hard.)

the best thing I've ever read six times is featured here.
Subscribe to his blog, and then get him a job. You won't be sorry.

Finals are coming up. Again.

easter bunnies wear stretch pants

This past weekend was so fun.

Since I haven't been in town one weekend in March, why would I start now? It has been crazy.
New York. Check. San Diego. Check. Arizona. Check.

I got back from San Diego with Brittany realllly late Monday night, and then left after class on Thursday for Gilbert, AZ. We all piled into Benita's car
(Benita driving, Megs in the front seat, and Court, Lola and I in the back).
All snuggled in.


We left around 5:30pm and arrived in Paige, AZ just around 11pm I think.
We stopped other places, but Paige gets an honorable mention because Maverik provided us with the most delicious ice cream cones EVER.
That's right Benita. EVER.

(Benita insisted on wearing a snuggie the whole time. It was really weird.)

I may or may not have purchased Hot Rod for $7.99 too. That's a steal.
We pulled into Gilbert around 2am and I don't remember much after that...
until we ate lunch on Friday at Oregano's.

Okay. New favorite restaurant. Megan and I have our staples...but if Oregano's was here I'm sure it'd be one of them.


Soups, pizzas, salads, wraps, BBQ wings, garlic bread, and the largest Diet Cokes I've ever seen in a glass. With free refills and to go cups.
Oregano's: Where Sizes Matters. Seriously.

And here is where we picked up our friend Dustin. So nice to have you.
I know Court was grateful.


Later we went and did some verrry light shopping at the mall, picked up a few things. Matching boyfriend sweats from Victoria's Secret...not a big deal.


then to Swirl It...not sure why but I'm never going to be sick of frozen yogurt or new yogurt places. There are so many. Red Velvet and Pistachio really hit the spot.

Following frozen yogurt, we went to go see Miley Cyrus star in "The Last Song".
Oh my Nicholas Sparks. What would we do without you?
Except...Miley is terrible. She couldn't stop making this stupid face.

(I googled "Miley's stupid face in Last Song". So glad I found this)

Otherwise good though. Predictable, sappy, slightly depressing with a happy ending.
All of my favorite things. Not to mention, Liam Hensworth is DARLING.
I could look at him all day.
Too bad he's a 90's baby. Otherwise we might have a legitimate chance.

Following the most amazing day ever, and all of my favorite things, we played games at Megan's sister's, Lindsay's house. I laughed. Really hard.

"Benita has sagged into last place..."
"Ballerina. Why didn't you pick mine? I put that down, and you DID."
"When I think of Roxanne I think of stretch pants..." Nice Court.
"I don't trust Asian women."
"Red Rover? I would have picked that."
And Run Ruck Run is sweeping the nation...

Saturday we watched the first session of conference. Or at least tried.
TV fail. The channel wouldn't work so we watched it on Megan's bebis Mac screen.

No better way to cheer ourselves up than poolside tanning while it's snowing in Provo.
85 degrees in April. I WILL move somewhere warmer after I graduate.


After a few hours of soaking up some much needed sun, we went back to get ready and met up with the boys after priesthood session for dinner at Brio. Again, so good.


They played more games...I studied for a Free Expression test.
I don't really want to talk about it.

I don't think I can recall a time where I have been so excited about Easters.
I love the candy, love the decorations, love conference...but actually getting excited about Easter has been a while for me.

Megan's family has a tradition for Easter where they attach kite string, A LOT of kite string to your easter basket, and hide it somewhere in or out of the house.
We all have the same starting point, and it was a little bit like Mission Impossible for the first 20 minutes.

Benita went up the slide. Court went across the counter.
I fought with Patches the cat outside for my string.


It was seriously as exciting as Christmas. I hope the Smiths and Barneys don't mind when I steal this for my own kids. Actually, Megan's and my kids will probably be doing it together.

Love them. And I will miss my besties so much this summer.

you deserve to be ultimate punched

1. ward prayers turned firesides without us knowing
(seriously, tell us to bring the diet coke and popcorn, I would not have been as mad)

2. yozone taking away our frozen yogurt sampling agency
(they really do come around the counter and ask you which one you'd like to sample. were they really losing that much money in yogurt shots?)

3. airport buddies - the kind who think just because you sit next to them means you must be interested.

4. waking up at 5am to train clients. (that's for megan. I would never)

5. airport food.
dear delta and southwest airlines, peanuts and half a diet coke does not a meal make.
why must you take the honey out of honey roasted? the salted are just not that good.
times are tough you guys. we're in a recession.

6. cats

7. walking around a soggy campus, and approximately three classes in feel as if you've actually waded through a medium sized pond.

8. tapping

9. heavy breathing dorito eaters in the testing center

10. road bikers

11. standardized tests