Saturday, December 29, 2007

INHALER....PLEASE!!!

Tristen the Triathlete!

I tell you...a girl's gotta breathe and thank heavens for my trusty blue friend making that possible!


The Champion of us all!!! Jake was a MACHINE!



It's officially official!!!

That's right...I got one more thing to check off the list! Now I may not have looked the prettiest, and you might think I was the "Biggest Looser" coming in last place and all, but freak man...can you say YOU are a triathlete? I think not (most of you anyway...)! That's right suckers I just finished my first and most likely my very last triathlon. And shiz man am I tired!

Micah puts on a local Beacon Hill triathlon a few times a year. It's small but is actually even sponsored by some sweet companies. He usually has a pretty nice intimate group of athletic junkies participating. He also usually has a few wannabes (strictly members of the URE family) join in for the fun. I've said a few times that I was going to be a part of one. But I gotta tell you my warm bed has sounded a lot more tempting than swimming in the early am, hoping on my bike for a bit, and then finishing the morning off with a nice run! But today it was going to be a very small crowd of athletes, Micah, Bryan (brother-in-law), and his son Jake. I was up for looking the fool in front of these few so with Lindsey's wake up call I made my way over to the starting line.


3x's the fun...or 3x's the hell?

The racers, the supporters, and the wussies that stayed dry and relaxed.



We all started off decently even. And may I mention that I was NOT last in this event! Close to last...but NOT last! And I hardly even cheated...very proud of myself indeed.

In case you weren't aware...this kind of bike with the real skinny wheels can be a bit wobbly! Not to mention that I sort of fell behind on the bike part because Lindsey only told me how to shift one way and that one way was workin' my legs leaving them like a bowl full of jelly!


So you wanna know my time? Yeah...I don't think so. Ain't nothing but a number baby! Don't mean a thing!
But I finished and it's now onto the next amazing adventure...or race...(or maybe even the Amazing Race?!?!)

Sunday, December 16, 2007

A little Foxy Brown inspired "Ladies Night"!


Yeah baby... it's YOUR YEAR, I can just feel it! All your dreams are about to come true!



Actually a little Holly Boyd Birthday inspired Ladies Night. A few of us went out to celebrate the best day of my life...that's right...the day Holly Boyd came into this crazy world! Again, I went along with my being social and out and about theme and traveled all the way out to Long Beach just to be with the ladies. I'm starting to like this new agenda. We gots ourselves some fun gals around to be thouroughly entertained by! I believe I like it!

Thursday, December 13, 2007

A taste of the REAL O.C. ...

Party at the St. Regis....guest list please:

*Real Housewives of Orange County and Spouse...


This infamous gal is always at the yearly functions and this year instead of just staring at her Barbie Body - we went in for the kill. I made her take 2 shots because when I asked her to make it look like we were 'old chums' I was chuckling a little too hard and exposed a usually well hidden double chin. She was happy to appease me with another friendly pose, meanwhile Lindsey exaggerated her fondness of her hit reality TV series etc. etc.


Heaven forbid I leave the loaded new hubby out!




Festivites included wild animals and musical instuments to really be a part of the action with! Oh you better believe I rung that triangle like I was born for it!!!

St. Nick at St. Regis

The just about 'fully clothed and covered' Ure girls


Our friendly Dumbo

The themed dancers are my p.f.'s : the first year I went they were dancers (perhaps on the edge of exotic...I'll be honest I couldn't stop staring at them), last year they were pole dancers (you should have seen the grampas getting up there to share in the spotlight...un-freaking-real!), and this year we had many versions of Belly-dancers!

Cheers!!! 2007 is on it's way outta' here


Every year I get to look forward to the real deal social event that actually gives me the right to brag about. The St. Regis Christmas party is one shin-dig that I just won't miss. I work well with V.I.P. staus regardless of how it comes to me. I will take it! I kinda think I was born for it!

My oldset sister Trilby has the connections. She is the right hand gal for Mr. Hadi Makarechian who owns the St. Regis among other things. Hadi, is the nicest man around! He is actually even one of Mitt Romney's biggest supporters.
Well every year I usually help when they throw their big parties and such. This year, they didn't need my help...yet they still gave me a personal invite along with an amazing room the night of the Christmas party. I look forward to it every year, and with this year's Moroccan theme - I was just as anxious as usual.

The first year I went, I felt, in comparison to all those surrounding me, that I was on my way to church, and they were all on their way to star in a Vegas show. Needless to say I always feel a little under dressed, yet overdressed. These real socialites go all out! They are soo into it and I imagine they shop all year for the perfect dress to show off at the party. Yet with all their bling and boobies hanging out I feel a little overdressed looking at them...literally. They show more skin than I show in the middle of summer at the beach!

But regardless of the "nun" appearance I feel that encompasses me each year...I still thrill to go for the people watching event of my life. It is absolutely hilarious! And the entertainment is just as great! Watching older professionals get drunk off their rears and hit the dance floor...priceless!

This year Micah, Lindsey, Brook, and I all went together. We had a great time dancing, lounging in the V.I.P. area (truly my favorite thing to do...I feel sooo cool and posh! I just imitate who's sitting next to me and I'm a perfect fit in!), checking out the themed decorations...exotic animals included (except for the monkey that almost bit my head off! - and to think I always thought I wanted one...), and finally lying to rest in a sweet suite in the early morning hours. I'm already lookin' forward to next year. I'm crossing my fingers it will be more of a Muslim sort of theme so we can all wear headscarf's, veils, and burkhas. I finally wouldn't feel like the only 'over-clothed' party goer there!!!

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Night Lights & Silent Nights (yeah right...not with Gary!)


Probably my most 2 favorite boys in the whole entire world!



Last weekend was a little slice of Heaven cause I got to be with My Briti, My Jay, and Everyone's Gary. We did a little of this and a little of that...and then I somehow convinced Gary to come to an H.B. singles gathering. Ummm.. for those of you that don't know about these infamous Mormon gatherings let me enlighten you a bit.

Basically if you're single and Mormon (ok - I guess not necessarily 'Mormon' - I mean Kareokee Dave has no issues pursuing those not of his faith. More power to you man...more power to you!) and between the ages of 17-35 (well actually the old "Ho House" crew takes the age level up a notch or two) and willing to drive from 5-60 miles to arrive at your destination (and why wouldn't you be...I mean a boy's gotta find his future lady no matter the miles he might rack up. Although regardless of the hours you spend traveling for hopeful lucky love you still only see the same people you saw last weekend at the San Diego party!) then it means you're going to pretty much end up at one of these get togethers.

Sometimes these party's have themes - such as: "Pimp and Ho Party" (that's where Mormon's take the opportunity/excuse to dress skanky and show a little more than the Sunday dress code allows. Oh wait.... or was that Halloween?) or sometimes these parties are in honor of a special occasion. Birthday's are great - it basically allows for a party to be thrown a few times a week even. So us lonely ones have plenty of opportunities to mingle like life long singles. Now it may sound as if I'm describing these celebrations in a negative light. Let me correct you on that. I am not above it I will admit. However, I go through phases where I can and cannot handle the idea of walking into a social gathering with the unmet anticipation of leaving with my heart skipping a beat.

Well...I'm giving it another shot. So for a record breaking 2 weekends in a row I have 'gone out' and I've actually had a good 'ol time. Don't mistake a good time for having found my "Love Potion #9" actually able to cast a spell on one lucky fellow...cause that didn't happen. But I saw a few people that were actually interested in having a real conversation and weren't just anticipating the next words that would come out of their own mouth.

Gary, knowing the culture I'm weaving my way back into, was not too hard to talk into going with me. He may have been expecting a little comedy watching me try to get into my groove, and I was counting on him for a little humor relief when my social anxiety made me break out in hives. So off we went. We drove with two friends Brock and Tyrone and I don't know if they quite followed the "remember when"s that we couldn't shut up about.

We were a little early upon getting there (why may I ask do we start everything at like 11pm when we all know we're just sitting around doing nothing waiting for 11 to roll around), and I refused to go in till it was crowded enough that I could be incognito. Immediately Gary and I sat next to the fire with the perfect view of all arriving guests. This is the way I prefer it, an ability to people watch everyone without them really noticing me. We were really waiting for my mini crush to arrive. I've had this ongoing mini for like 2 years now and haven't really said more than a hello to him. But with Gary at my side, I was determined to show him my skills. Well let's just say that my mini did eventually arrive. I attempted to talk to him (and yes I had to start the conversation), I had a very brief one way conversation (that would be me pretty much talking to myself cause I don't even think we made eye contact the whole time. His eyes were wandering all over the place apparently searching for his next fling) and then he let me off easy and didn't even make me end the conversation. At least that's what I told myself when midway through my sentence he walked off and I was left REALLY talking to myself.

Wait, no, that's not right. I had GARY listening to me the whole time. He was listening to me in utter amazement at my inability to act smooth, mysterious, or just plain feminine towards my mini crush.
Well needless to say, nobody left with my digits in hand. But not to worry - I'm sure this weekend I can go to another H.B. rager and give it another shot with all the same people. Gary has accepted the service project of 'yours truly', and insists he can turn this dating disaster into something a little more desirable. We shall see....I mean good for him if he can. Geez - I know quite a few worried friends and family that would gladly throw in some reward money to see him succeed! But till that miracle materializes, at least Gary and I can enjoy a 5 minute finale as we do our thing on the dance floor (it's usually just the living room floor actually) before making the hour drive back to our safe havens of home.
So basically my revamped attempts at being a socialite have left me without a whole lot. Ahhh - such is life!




Me, Tyrone, Aubs, Brock


The best house we found...lights flashed right along side the best Christmas tunes!



After a lovely Holiday FHE... this little quad adventured out to check out the highs and lows of Holiday Christmas decorations. I gotta say there were some real winners out there! I'm all about getting right into the Christmas spirit this year.

Sunday, December 9, 2007

His favorite thing...

Now I may not be loved by everyone...but I do know this - My Baby Loves Me! Cause...



Sometimes I let him drive


If he wants to be more of a macho-man...then I'll help him anyway I can



I don't care if he eats like a pig or even what he eats. He doesn't have to grow up and be a closet eater around me!





We both love Apple products!




And we both LOVE to play dress up!


My baby and me....we're two peas in a pod. I love him and he loves me...and that's all a girl needs!

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Always a Bridesmaid...never a Bride...


Or at least an 'Honorary' one!




A little bachelorette bash...Mormon style -
it was off the hook dude!
Lauren Geeves got married last weekend to Stevey Bennett. Now that's a cute couple. Needless to say it was a great reason to bring home the goods from Provo! That would be none other than my lovely Fister...Alice Hobbins! Who will soon become my very first roommate in a really really long time. (We'll see if it lasts...I mean I'm kinda particular about a few things!) But perhaps it will help cure the disease of loner status that I've acquired. But I gotta admit, I kind of like being a hermit. Ex: When my allergies start going crazy and all I want to do is itch my stinking throat, make that lovely growling sound, crack my neck, and jerk my arm like I've been hit with a sudden dose of turrets... it's better if I'm only interupting my own quiet time. (Only a few of you special close ones will get a smile from that!) So Alice...get your bootie down here and show me how it's done. We gots some fun to have!

p.s. Did I mention that there actually is a song entitled, "Always a Bridesmaid Never a Bride" and my mom MADE me do a song and dance to it at our Family Talent Show??? Yeah...jokes on me right? Thanks mammie.




Oh Pardon me! ... did I forget to mention Taylor Shupe was my HERO in China?


Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Beggars can't be Choosers...Crap!

Yeah Yeah... I get it. Mammie says I shouldn't be so dang picky. But for crying out loud if they gross me out than what in the world am I to do? Should I let them kiss me even though the thought of it makes me want to vomit? Or should I let them think they are my freaking dream come true? I just can't...I have NO ability to fake feelings. I will admit it's perhaps one of my greatest downfalls. I mean you'd think that I - the girl who won't even think twice about making herself a complete fool dancing for total strangers in China - wouldn't really have an issue with stroking a few feathers just to make a boy feel good. But I tell ya...I just can't do it. If I do that then they'll think they have permission to get up to bat and I'll just have to strike them out even further. So really...my honesty is to save their own pride...right? Well...there have been quite a few who have stepped up to the plate regardless of my apparently not so obvious warnings. Bless their hearts...

So...the other day, a boy I had gone out with once while I relived the Provo scene last year, called me. We'll call him...ummm...how about Jesse?! ( I always had a huge crush on Uncle Jesse!) So Jesse calls me to tell me he's going to be coming into town and do I want to hang out. Obviously being the great hostess that I am, I welcomed the visit.
Now here's a problem with me. I'm RETARDED! when it comes to ever knowing if a boy is interested in me or not. I just always assume we're all friends...yeah they don't always assume the same! You'd think I'd be a little better at it having 7 brothers myself. But actually all those brothers might have been to my detriment. I grew up hearing all the behind the scenes drama: a girl would think she'd found love and my brothers would just humor them till they were onto the next flavor. (Admit it that's kind of how the 'other' sex operates...especially pre-mish. Or you freaking hope it was only pre-mish!!! But I'll have to say these days it's these gnarley girls that are getting a little taste test of anything and everything. Geez aggressive girls...go knit a quilt or something would you?! ) So basically my brothers instilled within me the established expectation of no expectations!

I guess you can say I was sort of excited to see 'ol Jesse. We at least had intelligent conversation when we were together last, and I thought it'd be nice to have a little more. So - Jesse makes his way to my mom's house to pick me up. I just tell him to honk when he's there. So out of the house I walk, and he gets out of his car to give me a nice hello hug. (Sometimes that makes me feel gay. When I go for two arms and they've only got one coming at me for a side sort of thing...yeah too much like the kiss on the cheek welcome - I always get thrown off.) I, knowing my way around the area (not because I've lived here my whole life but because of the GPS my mammie bought me a few years ago!) offer to drive.

Now, you see...this already is a stretch for me. I hate to drive! Despise it! But I was trying to be on my best behavior. My mammie had already given me a lecture about me being nice on this sort of hang out/date thing. Sad that she has to lecture me right? Actually I would call it more annoying than sad. It's not that I'm ever intentionally mean or anything...honest. It's just that if I actually catch a whiff that they are feeling pretty confident with me and will maybe make a move...I help turn them off real quick. I don't even know when I'm doing it, it's just my natural reaction when someone jumps to the next page even before I've established I'm at all interested.
Back to Jesse. He leaves his car at my moms and we go. We drive to a nice restaurant and the conversation is good. It even gets a little spicy, ok yeah, I can handle that. And then... what to do after... I hate this part. I don't like to entertain someone that needs entertaining. Not that he was that way, but I was getting kind of tired (I'm off Provo time - I go to bed a whole lot earlier these days). So I offer for him to come over to my house...cause what in the world else were we going to do? He readily accepts the invite and we go over there.

He decides that we should watch a movie. I got a little queasy. Why? Well the fact is, I LOVE to watch movies. I'll even admit that I could do it all day long and believe me I have! I mean, nothings better than watching a movie and coozie-ing up under a blanket. However I'd rather be all alone under that blanket than with someone I wasn't interested in. See my tummy tumbles at the hidden meaning behind most boys invitation to watch a movie late at night. So immediately my guard goes up when Jesse offers this suggestion. I just haven't established if I even like the guy, pretty sure I'm not going to, and finally kind of realized that I think he's actually flirting with me. Poor guy didn't have a chance from then on out.

Again, remembering my mammie's advice to 'be nice to him' I, instead of sitting on a totally separate chair, sit on the same couch as him...although there was enough space between the two of us for at least 3 other people. Now, you know when you are watching a movie with someone you like and it's at that real fresh stage, and you don't have a clue what the dang movie is about cause all your concentrating on is how to get a little closer to that boy? Well - let's just say I bet he can't even recall the name of the movie he picked out (his only criteria was the longer the better...oh shiz). Ohh but I was very attentive for the first little bit...and then I realized he had an agenda.

I don't think I really noticed it at first. He got up to use the restroom and when he came back there was only room for one other person to sit in between us. And there was no room for me to scooch over anymore, as I was already hugged up against the side with my hands tucked under my legs. (I wasn't about to let that little trickster grab a hand when I least expected it. No no - I now know better!) Well, I tell myself to mellow out and to just keep watching the movie. And then I hear the nonchalant statement, "I'm just going to give myself some of that blanket." I respond immediately with, "Oh are you cold? Do you want me to turn the heat up?" (And yes! I had already offered him his OWN blanket.) Before I knew it he was right smack dab next to me...pleased with his suaveness (or at least what he thought was suaveness...I have a whole other definition!).

By now I was on to his shananigans. I was being quite cautious in my every move. Then all of sudden, Mr. Smooth lays on my lap muttering some excuse as to why he felt the need. I'm just thinking, "Crap! Are you kidding me. I don't want to get all coozied up to you because then you'll take it as permission to pick up the pace." I know I'm a jerk and will probably never get married...but I can't freaking help it! I'm almost embarrassed for the guy wondering if this is his M.O. with all the ladies. He could use a tip or two.

Well pretty soon I, after holding it as long as I could, had to go to the bathroom. I took as long as I could without leaving the opportunity for him to ask, "Are you ok?" I was contemplating if I should sit on the other chair when I went back in. And then I decided...no - "be nice to him" ever ringing in my ears. I could put off any further attempts at romance for another hour+...and then I could take him back to his car. I walk back in to my where I was sitting and lo and behold that little punk is laying on my couch and patting to the space right in front of him for me to occupy. SPOON?! are you for reals??? With the short span of not even two seconds as I walk over there, I am so shocked that I can't even figure out what to say that would allow me to sit on the chair by myself. All of a sudden I find myself fake laughing (which is also hard for me to do...and very obvious...or so I thought) and trying to position myself so there is not a chance our heads are even near each other.

Still at this point I'm not assuming he's going to take it any further and try to kiss me. I mean he has to have some form of reality hit him right? I think not - his dream world was a little to cushy for him and he wasn't about to leave it. By this time I don't have a clue what's going on with the movie cause all my focus is on the shady sneak. And next thing you know, his arm is around me, I can freaking hear him breathing on my neck (and I hope that was just coincidence because if that was a 'move'... I just can't even comment on that.), and his leg is wandering all over my leg! Finally!...it hit me, "This guys going to freaking try to kiss me! Are you kidding me? Is he blind, deaf, and dumb? Even if I did like him - it's a freaking second date. I'm a little past too old to just make out with who cares what. Wait...he's a little more past too old to be doing/expecting this! I'm going to be single the rest of my life cause every stinking boy grosses me out!!!" If I didn't do something right then things were going to happen and no doubt I'd crush his ego. So I hit my internal snooze button and put my acting skills to their greatest test.

I was out, as far as he was concerned. Although it kind of creeped me out even more when I realized his curious hands weren't going to rest...asleep or not! This guy is feeling my back, my leg, holding my hand, and he even did a not so accidental bootie graze. At that point I threw in a nice big twitch that altered my position a bit. I felt him look over my face to see if I had woken up but I kept my eyes shut like they were super glued. I'm thinking, "What is wrong with boys. I swear I will re-virginize my lips and never kiss again if it incorporates it being late at night with a movie on. How about try something new kids - that ones been way overplayed!" Finally Jesse nods off to sleep a bit. I was wide awake waiting for the longest movie ever to be over.

Not a second too soon the movie ends and the white noise of the tv comes on. I know that woke him up, but he was apparently too comfortable to move. And by the way, it's like 1am at this point and not only do I have to drive him to his car (kill me now!) but then he has to drive like another hour and a half to his destination. Well I was not about to lighten his load and let him sleep on my couch...cause I know what happens to courage in the wee hours of the morning! So to not add to any ability for him to make the personal invite himself, I stretched and rolled right off the couch while mumbling, "Wow - it's so late. I better drive you to your car."

I'll have to admit, I think I kind of refused to listen to mammie's advice of being 'nice' at this point. I'm pretty sure he was a bit discouraged and maybe even felt I had denied him of my obligation? Yeah...I was pretty much over it by then!

So needless to say, I avoided all eye contact on the way to the car, in the car, and as he left. I was probably as cold as the north pole with a great intention to be nice without getting caught in some pre-kiss gay stare! What a long night!!!

Well, as you have probably already guessed...I haven't heard from him since. I've got no issues about that. Avoiding creepy situations takes a whole lot of energy! So yeah - I'm single, have been for a while, probably will be for a long while more...and don't really know how not to choose even if I do fill the role of a beggar. Ahhh...to each his own.

Saturday, November 10, 2007

2% Disability...we've all got it

Uh-oh...I think it came back! I thought I'd rid myself of it years ago. I mean I had a few relapses...embarrassing relapses on my mission (don't even ask me why the relapse would ever take place in a church environment...it proves my lack of control) that I confided to my mother about - but I thought I prayed it away! It's nothing that I've ever meant to do - it's always been by totally unexplainable eye wandering psychosis. Something I have no control over...a total disability. Some people were blessed to have A.D.D., or Dyslexia, or even Turrets for that matter....but my 2% is worse...way worse!

Let me tell you about the whole 2% thing. Back in college I had a roommate that had an interesting theory. Her theory claimed that all of us somewhere deep inside held a 2% dose of something a little extra special. Some hide it better than others, whereas some of us allow that common thread between us all to be seen and admired by the world. We are all a little mentally challenged...and I have to say I agree. I've seen my own 2% alter in form...from one oddity to another.

Now hold on - hold on. We all know that I'm far from being politically correct in my conversation, and I know that ignorance is no excuse. But how about instead of ignorance we just call my lack of correctness just a plain inability to break old habits. So don't go getting all offended if I say we are all a little 'retarded' in our own ways. I'll prove to you it's true. Oh so embarrassingly true...

Long ago...(LONG AGO - I've rid myself of it!) I had this sort of odd fascination. Actually a disgusting intrigument of sorts, perhaps even more like a curiosity. In fact, if I were a cat...I'd be 'killed' by now.

I think it started back in high school my junior year when I was on the water polo team. Obviously I never even entered the water once while part of the team - in fact all I had to do was be sure to bring an occasional Snickers Bar to Coach Dickman and my A+ in the class was a guarantee. (Ohh it was so easy to be persuasive back in those days!) I only picked Water Polo because I was forced to take yet another year of P.E. after my previous 2 years on the cross country team. And by that point I had already traveled to Hawaii with the Cross Country team and was pretty much over hiding out during every practice. So my best friend Tiffany wanted to swim, and I happily skipped along following her. I was committed to being her personal trainer and even let the team know I'd be wiling to take a few more athletes under my tutelage.

This was all before I realized the attire of the athletes...I mean the BOY athletes. Speedos? Sick - Nasty - Repulsive...all come to mind. I could hardly walk into the pool area without a baby bit of vomit rising in my throat. I made sure to keep good eye contact and never look down. I didn't look below the neck...EVER!

I think this is where my 2% retardation began to evolve. I have since created a monster. As much as I abhor any outlining of any packaging...I always find myself staring in this general direction. What is wrong with me? I despise mesh shorts, I want to vomit if a boy wears sweat pants in front of me, and as for tighty-whities....let's just say clingage isn't my thing. But it's not like I was ever doing this out of perversion or having any inappropriate thoughts...but it's as if a boys pants were made of the strongest magnet material that my eyes just couldn't resist taking a peek.

And then if I got caught....ohh now that was embarrassing. I'm talking to someone and all of a sudden realize that I'm actually the one that has lost the eye contact and have drifted elsewhere to some unmentionables. Then it's like this panic attack (goes along with the 2% theory) brings me back to reality and I have to immediately conjure up an escape plan. A few examples...

-Look further down and pretend my shoe needs some adjusting....
-Continue scanning everywhere else in front of me acting as if rapid eye movement is just a sort of 'tick' I've acquired.
-Exclaim, "XYZ!" and feel relieved that there actually was cause for me to be looking down south.

So all in all, I just want you all to realize that yes we are all in fact a little out of the ordinary. And it's not always just because us Mormons are supposed to be a "peculiar people"! But have faith my little disabled ones...I've overcome mine and you can too!

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

So Long Hong Kong...Me Love You Long Time!!!

Our final HK meal....very authentic....CPK!!! (Oh little peawok - is it really necessary to always try to be like me?? wee wee! Love and miss you already!)


Bosom Buddies


My new coat that I made...and the stranger that wanted to be in my picture of it. I think he liked the French theme I was going for...Merci!


We fell in love over here....no no...in love with HONG KONG sillies!


How cute ( /cheesy ) is the lining I picked out for my coat. Pure Me! and I LOVE it!

The time has arrived for Gary and I to leave our home away from home. I'll have to say we are actually sort of ready for our own beds (lately I've caught him trying to snuggle up to me quite a bit during the late hours...and frankly it's starting to freak me out) and our own food. We have dreamt up what we want our moms to cook up for us upon our arrival. I'll take some meat with no 'Gee-Gee's' please (the hard things you just can't chew through that seems to be a tasty treat over here)!


We've begun to say our good-bye's to all our friends we've met. I'll have to say I hate good-bye's - I prefer see you laters. Not to mention everyone seems to try to get some action upon parting ways. It's really confusing to me, this whole kissing of the cheeks thing. What's next - they gonna cop a feel if we get closer than just being simple business acquaintances?


I haven't gotten some action in a while - I'll admit. (Umm..hello - totally by choice thank you very much! - perhaps I should tell you the stories of the boys that tried to get a little somethin' somethin' a little too early...gross me out!!!)
So when these people come in for the kill I almost loose my breath wondering if my dry spell will finally break. Are they going to go for the cheek to cheek thing or should I just add to the fun and sneak my lips on in there. I mean in all honesty a little twitterpation occurs when the guy on the opposite end is my style. But then when I start tilting my head and meeting him halfway and then realize he's actually just saying farewell his customary way - and I'm stuck in this hesitation of not knowing where to move my head...then comes a little pink to brighten up my cheeks and it's not cause I put too much makeup on this morning. Oh the Chinese way... I'll sure miss it!
So please wish Gary and I luck as we try to make our way flawlessly through customs. Wigs, bags, meds, clothes, shoes, DVD's, and all the other crap we collected....8 suitcases to be exact! Maybe if I do the whole prego thing again, or break a leg, or hhhmmm...what else could help us out? Obviously I haven't learned much...

Ching Ching Chong
We've been here long,
But now we'll say goodbye.

At first the smell
was a visit through hell,
We thought we were gunna die!

We made some clothes-
always puttin' on shows-
saw lots that we 'likey' and 'buy'

They called me fat...
don't really like that
so I'm going back to Cali. to cry...and then maybe go on a diet or something. Yeah I'll go on a diet and drop the 8lbs. the fortune teller said I should. There Mammie - that's your birthday present. I'm going to drop a few for you! NO guarantee on how long it stays off so don't ask.

Monday, November 5, 2007

I'd kiss him too!!!




I found him! I found him half way across the world in China...but it was still love at first sight. This has just gotta be Dottie Jo's brother from another mother! Dottie Jo is the little girl I'm going to one day have that has Downs! I even use to pray for her....till Mammie told me not to cause she says I don't quite know what I'm praying for! But I don't care...I want that little slice of Heaven in my home! I love you Dottie Jo (Mammie also says that's a fitting name...I say Mammie is a little rude!) and I love you too little look alike Chinese boy!

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Bye Bye Shanghai!

Working to pass the time and go back to our real home in HK!
I'm telling you - they we're obsessed and Gary was drinking it up!
A bit of our shopping escapades...


So we took the advice of a few business people in the know…and I got’s to say…they DON’T know. We decided to come to Shanghai for the Asia International Textile Show in Shanghai. We made plane tickets basically overnight and were excited for the extended adventure we were about to encounter. I gotta say, we don’t die over this place. We feel so at home in HK with the dirty AC water occasionally dripping on us as we walk down the street (let me tell you that Shiz-niz smells worse than the worst case of Fish Bo!), the shopping malls that we now know better than South Coast Plaza (even if everything does in fact happen to be a repeat of the store next to it), and the MTR (where the hands are held high in an attempt to remain balanced and the whiff of the un-deodorized pits roams free). Granted, Shanghai has its own treats for us to enjoy such as the even greater inhalation of smoke (doesn’t anyone know that second-hand smoke kills) and the language barrier that stands stronger than the Great Wall of China ever did. (Oh has Gary gotten a bit irritated a time or two. No communication and an empty stomach do not rest very well with that boy.) The taxi and lack of communication started getting old real fast. The fun of hailing down a taxi lost it’s excitement after standing out in the cold (Yes it was pure winter in Shanghai) for 15 minutes. Then when we’d finally get in and show them the address of our hotel they’d talk back to us as if we understood their mother language fluently. Today, for example we finally hailed a cab and showed him the address. He immediately began pointing out that he wasn’t interested in going that way. Gary, acknowledging my rising irritation as I gritted my teeth and shot daggers at him through my eyes jumped in. After my defiant mumbling of, “I’m not getting out of this cab! Say whatever ching-chong stuff you want – but I’m not leaving so drive the car!” Gary displayed his negotiating skills and threw him a Benjamin (don’t worry…only like 15 bucks here…) and told the guy to get going. Apparently the green stuff speaks to all languages. One dolla to make me holla!!!

Unfortunately, or rather this time we’ll say fortunately – our stay here is very short. I mean I tried hard to fit in here. Once in the creepiest mall we’ve thus far been to, I tried to apply some of the culture I’ve taken in.
You see – here…especially in Mainland China – there is a lot of loogie spitting going on. Outside, inside, men, and even the dainty women cough up anywhere and everywhere! They are all hawking up the deepest gurgliest loogies they can muster and believe me that they don’t try to spit it out behind closed doors. I had to dodge a few flying spit wads while in Shanghai. So at this nasty mall I tried to gather a bit of saliva and toss it out like a Chinese pro. It just made me feel bad. If the floors weren’t already 2-inches thick with community dribble I would have cleaned mine up.
We will be going home to HK tonight. I’m sure our opinions would vary if we were able to take it in a little better and even see a sight or two. But we went to the show – shopped a bit – and worked. But the Chinese have come through as we’ve learned to expect and they served us well as we lounged/worked in their lobby the rest of our day.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Take a picture...it lasts longer

On our way to the show...
Now how cute is that "Marni" bag....fake Marni bag. Not that I have any idea at all what a Marni bag is...other than it's freaking cute!

This is what they couldn't get enough of! We didn't even realize that we sort of matched - but it was all eye's on the Gar...


My mom thinks it’s ridiculous that I think people think I’m famous. I seriously do.
I know…I know… I’m sure it has some subconscious connotation having to do with my life long fantasies that continue to keep me awake at night - of being:

*An Oscar winner – obviously in a comedic yet dramatic role…no nudity (wouldn’t that kill the Oscar! Oh shiz…now that would be some funny stuff. – Actually maybe I could do that and have Lindsey be my body double! Even funnier!) (But actually- I think the coolest role would be one where I HAD to get really really fat and eat anything and everything and then when I was done filming I got an amazing personal trainer to create a slimmed down miracle!...Linds – you could be my body double on that one too! No preparation required for you!!!!)
*Bestselling Author writing a book about my Mammie and how classic( /amazing ) she is. (I mean who wouldn’t want to read about a woman that raised 12 kids, looks like a million bucks, and called her kid a “little twat” innocently not thinking it was inappropriate.)
*The missionary that helped convert Oprah who therefore converts the world! (You should see the letter I wrote her about just that, when I was like 17! Classic!) -Or-
* A TV personality…just being me doing whatever they want me to do. (Obviously with Lindsey…as we’re kind of the perfect pair!)

(Believe me I know it all sounds pretty self absorbed. But let’s be honest – like we haven’t all thought these sorts of things. I’m just willing to publicly and proudly proclaim it!)

Sometimes I’ll just be walking along and it’s as if this group of people will just blatantly stare at me. It use to make me uncomfortable, as if perhaps I had something in my teeth (have you ever noticed I ALWAYS have to check my teeth after a meal?), or my dress was caught up in my underwear, (and yes walking back to my seat in sacrament meeting…it has happened before. Therefore I can’t leave a restroom without checking out my backside). But now I just deal with the attention. I’ll lean over and whisper to my mom, “Look Mom, I think they think I’m famous or something.” She’ll shake her head and walk on by my spectators- laughing.

WELL this time it wasn’t me they were staring at. With Gary’s new haircut…or should I say his new sick-cut…his eye poppin’ red shoes and socks paired with his ‘Gary Samuelian’ designed shorts, and his ‘make me look smart’ glasses – he was all the rage. I was literally amazed at the looks from toe to head and back again that were making spectators stop dead in their tracks. Cameras were brought out and pictures were taken. We were cracking up at it all. Not to mention we were in the surroundings of plenty of people in the fashion industry that you would assume had seen an eccentric dresser before. Yeah…I’m guessing Gary was a first for all of them. When we would go into a booth looking at their different textiles and such, we would eventually get to telling them that Gary Samuelian was in fact the actual designer of “Gary Samuelian” they would say, “Oh you look like the designer….You fashion man..yes?!” It kept us entertained all day. Although Gary will be slow to admit it, he even started posing for some candid shots that obvious passerby’s were taking. “Work! Work!” I’d whisper my support from booth to booth. That boy is a star in the making!!! Actually…he’s probably in sync with my thoughts and already feels himself a star in his own mind! Crazy that 2 narcissistic dreamers can get along so well!!!

Monday, October 29, 2007

From Brown, to Blonde, to BALD??!!

The damage has begun




Uh-ohh...cutter's remorse perhaps?




Natural beauty mark??? My favorite part of the whole experience!

What’s next from this icon of style? Or at least that’s what we’re hoping people begin wondering when they see Gary’s latest fashion faux-paw! Just as Adam Sandler made wetting one’s pants ‘Cool’ in "Billy Madison"– I really believe Gary has made Mr. Clean more than just a Halloween costume idea for those with follicle failure. It’s totally spring ’08. This kid is always ahead of the rest.

That…or he was really really tired and sad about his damaged multi-bleaching treatments and acted before he thought. You decide.
Poor Gary had such cutter’s remorse the following morning and was just sure if only he could find a tanning bed – things would improve radically. I assured him it would grow back quickly. Bald man after bald man – he would ask me to compare his hair length to theirs. I tried my hardest to conceal my giggles. Then little ‘ol Gary started getting so cold – he is now convinced of the warmth your hair brings you. But then every time he’d try to warm his head up with a beanie or something he’d cry out in pain as the material clung to his stubby head. Again, I tried to conceal the humor I found in it all. I told him he should try and get the goose bumps because whenever I get them my leg hair grows a little bit and they’re no longer smooth like butter. (Actually…they are very rarely smooth like butter…)
But the best comment of the day was when he saw a picture of that Beckham soccer guy and asked, “Why does he look so good with a shaved head?”
But I’ll have to say, I think the kid can pull off just about anything. I’m totally use to it, and am beginning to think he’s kind of hot with the new locks…or lack thereof.

Friday, October 26, 2007

You gotta watch YouTube

I'm trying to make it so you can see some of the videos on YouTube. So here's a link...we'll see if it works...
http://youtube.com/user/tristenure

Joke Gone Bad



One lie turns to another...

So I’m over explaining to the Chinese that I am in fact NOT PREGNANT! Instead of getting offended I decided to use it to my advantage. Lindsey and I were going to the final day of the International Gift show. That’s the day where you can do all the sweet talking and go home with lots and lots of free stuff. And in case you didn’t know…I love stuff! I’m a total hoarder, I will admit! My plan was to get anything and everything with a heart theme. And believe me that I did! When I go to the last day of the next show and finish off my hoarding collection of free heart stuff I’ll post a picture of my jewels.

Anyways, I think I softened a few hearts as they saw me walking the aisles in a pregnant sort of duck walking with an occasional groan as I rubbed my hand over my tummy. I mean we’re talking Oscar worthy performance here! By the end of the day I had lost Lindsey and was on my own carrying about 6 fully loaded bags. I was exhausted and was in no mood to walk my way to who knows where to find a taxi to take me home.

Well apparently a good Samaritan was feeling my pain. An organizer at the convention center noticed that I was pregnant and felt my pain as I struggled along with dragging my prized possessions. I told her I was trying to find a taxi, just little ‘ol me - all alone and 4 months along. ( I was grateful I was never asked the due date…cause my math skills aren’t as quick as my jokes!)

The kind lady insisted I follow her to a bus line that would quickly take me home. I was stoked – she brought me close to the front and told the transport organizer to keep a special eye on me. I’ll tell ya I can hardly wait to really be pregnant cause people are so nice and helpful! He soon moved me to the front of the line and wouldn’t let me carry any of my bags. I was loving life and figured I wasn’t even tricking them that badly because they were the blunt ones that just assumed I was prego. Okay so I might have exaggerated the roundness of my belly…but felt ok about my illusions. I just wanted to get home!

Now this is where the tangled web begins to get weaved, and my guilt begins to torment me. A kind gentlemen CD was at the front of the line and was very concerned of my well being. He was so kind that I was trying to sort of brush him off so I wouldn’t feel like such a jerk. He insisted upon taking all my bags and filling up an entire row of seats with them so I could keep an eye on them while traveling. And then he sat next to me and told me he was going to get off at my stop and carry them into my apartment for me. He was so incredibly nice that I didn’t get freaked out by his generosity or anything.

We talked for the entire 45 minute ride home. I spoke with him a lot about our starting of the clothing line “GarySamuelian” and come to find out he has more connections than we ever dreamed of. He was began to offer to put me in touch with the man that has taken many heard of companies from nothing to huge successes. He called and set up a meeting for me to meet with him the following day. And then…he began to ask me about my pregnancy…I started to feel uneasy.
My entire life all I’ve wanted to do is be a star and an example of a good member of the church for the world to follow. Think I’m obsessed with myself? Perhaps I am – but I don’t care cause it’s the truth. Me…Oprah…and her being brought to tears as I explain that taking the right and virtuous path makes for a better life. Her looking at my way, the Mormon way, of life as a sacrifice - while I tell her it’s actually an easier way of life. etc.etc. So with my dreams to be one of many future ‘Mormon poster gals’ I began wetting my pants with the web that was flowing out of my mouth. This is how the conversation went.

CD: “So you’re married”
Me, with my head down in embarrassment: “No”
CD: “So you’re living with him”
Me, still with my head down and my body temperature rising “No”

I didn’t know what to say next. I had just told him that I was a MORMON…and I was about to tell him the furthest thing from the truth…that I was a skanky slut!

Me: “Oopps – things didn’t work out. Oopps – made a mistake.”

I tried to move on from there ASAP. But I have no idea what he said for the next 10 minutes as I sat in shock. I started envisioning the future and how I was never going to be able to proudly tell the world that I was a virgin till marriage, and how I never fooled around with boys, etc. etc. I literally felt sick that my little joke was turning into a full blown LIE!!! JOKE GONE BAD…REALLY BAD! Not only did I not want the world to believe this lie – I didn’t want this kind man to think this.

He ends up paying for a taxi for us to go the rest of the way to my apartment and insists on carrying all of my HEAVY bags. I can hardly speak I’m feeling like such a loose loser and total liar. I had invited him inside to see some of the samples Gary and I have been working on to see what he thought. I knew my mom and Lindsey were going to be inside and was freaking out if my lie was exposed. So I walked in and as I was introducing CD while my back was turned towards him – I was motioning for no one to say anything at all. Thankfully my family knows me well enough to know I had probably conned my way into some sort of situation and to follow my directions. I was real worried with my mom though…she’s a little senile in that department!

When CD left I sprawled over my mom and spewed to her all of the guilt that was overwhelming my conscious. That night I prayed and prayed for an opportunity to tell him the truth and not ruin this amazing connection that I had found. I questioned if I should say I was a surrogate mother and I was too embarrassed to say that I was doing it because I needed to money so I lied to him (I saw that scenario on an episode of “Army Wives”) - but then that was just going to end up in another lie that lasted at least another 5 months. I thought about many many ways to save face and still end up not being in possession of a baby.

And then I decided I just needed to come completely clean. Even if he hated me. So in the morning when he picked Gary and I up, (after he asked if I ate enough breakfast to feed my baby too) I told Heavenly Father I was going to come clean if He gave me the opportunity and prompting.

We sat in our meeting about to meet Harry…the connection of all connections!...and I realized I had better say it NOW or I was about to be introduced to Harry as a young single pregnant gal etc. So I said, “CD there’s something I have to tell you.” Gary kicked me very hard under the table to shut me up cause I was about to ruin everything. Later he said he was “crapping his pants” - I turned to Gary and said, “I have to.” Then I proceeded in complete embarrassment to tell him I lied to him. I started out telling him I’m a bit of a joker…and sometimes those jokes turn on me.

Oh you should have seen his face when I said, “I’m not pregnant” – I think it was a bit of a worried shock look. After about 10 minutes of my groveling for his forgiveness I was relieved to see he found great humor in it all. I told him I was so concerned that I wasn’t representing myself as a good Mormon, because I try really hard to be a good Mormon. (I know I know…I’m kind of an obnoxious representative for the church – but all in good fun!) I made him give me a good solid hug to confirm his looking past it. Although he did say if there was anything else I needed to get off my chest I could go ahead and tell him.

It ended up being a great day and we are thrilled that we have found a company to begin our production with. We were invited upstairs with all the big wigs for a private lunch, and next week we’ll be guests at their company party. Not to mention these men are amazing. They give millions and millions to charities they have created for the less fortunate. CD was even telling me how he does a ton of stuff with that lady that has the “Harpo” company….UMMM – you mean Oprah Winfrey?? So needless to say our hard work is paying off and the blessings seem to be endless. Prayers are answered!!!