Answers

1) Brooklyn, NY (will also accept New York City as an answer)

2) Leah, Tracey, Krista, Celia, Laura (I have other friends that I would accept as possible answers, but these are the closest)

3) Macmillan and Gap (or Mesa Public Schools)

4) No

5) Michael or Mike
Bonus: Arizona State University or Campus Crusade, Fall 2002

6) Mom and Dad are both living in Scottsdale, AZ

7) Reading, running, watching movies, scrapbooking, painting pottery

8) 27

9) Arizona State University

10) Shawn
Bonus question: Shawn and Parker, both because we mutually realized the other person wasn't "the one"

Random Fun Fact #1

When a person chooses to donate their body when they die, there are many uses for it. Interestingly, "donated skin that isn't used for, say, grafting onto burn victims may be processed and used cosmetically to plump up wrinkles and aggrandize penises."* Not exactly what I had in mind when thinking about donating my body to science ;)

* Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach

I'm getting married! Are you invited?

As my fiance and I prepare and plan for our wedding next year (May 23, 2009), we're trying to keep it as fun as possible. He recently sent me a link to this CNN article: "Should you be invited to my wedding?" I thought it was pretty funny. Though I would never base our guest list on a serious inventory of people's answers, I wanted anyone out there who is interested in giving the quiz a try just for fun a chance to take it. I will post the answers in the next blog so you can see how you do.

1) Name the city I'm living in now.

2) Name at least two of my closest friends.

3) Name my current employer and my past employer.

4) Do I have any kids?

5) Do you know the name of my fiancé? Bonus question: Where and when did we meet?

6) Do you know where my parents are and whether they are still alive?

7) Name at least two of my hobbies.

8) How old am I?

9) Where did I go to college?

10) Name my last boyfriend before this engagement. Bonus question: if you can name the last two and why we broke up. If you get the bonus question right, that might automatically get you in.

Scoring helps determine whether you get invited.

If you score 50 percent or below, you definitely are not getting invited.

If you score barely over 50 percent, you are on the waiting list. If someone who scored better than you cannot attend, you might get an invitation. This barely acceptable person who might be invited may get you a great gift because of their guilt for scoring so low.

If you score over 60 percent, you get an invitation.

Danger at work

This summer I've been working part time at Gap Body. For the most part, I enjoy it. At least it pays the rent, and every once in a while it affords me a decent work story to share with my roommates. Last week something happened that I thought not only makes a good story for the roomies, it would also be an entertaining blog post. As you can see in the picture, this is the cash wrap or register area of my store. Note the three lights hanging above the counter.I'm usually the only person working here, so I put back clothes that people try on, replenish with new merchandise, keep the store clean and organized, and occasionally ring customers up. Gap Body (bras, underwear, and lounge) connects to Women (jeans, pants, blouses, etc.), and that side of the store does more business so more people work that side, and that's where the managers usually are. So, last week I was ringing up a customer when we suddenly heard a loud popping sound. Being easily startled, I screamed slightly at the noise. Then we looked up at the light above us, which is where the noise came from. It was sparking and popping. Suddenly, a blue flame appeared and engulfed the light shade. When the flame stopped, there was a slight pause and then the light bulb fell from the socket and shattered on the counter top. I looked at the customer I was helping to make sure she was alright (she was), and then grabbed my radio. In a shaky voice, I said, "Manager to Body, manager to Body." I think they had heard my scream anyway, and then they could smell something burning, so a manager came over right away. I finished with the customer and cleaned up the glass while he took the other light bulbs out as a precaution. We still don't know what exactly caused the sudden light explosion, but it was the most exciting thing to happen that day, perhaps that week :-) I still like standing under the lights though because as I stand there and fold things, I stare at my ring and how it sparkles as it reflects the light. They've put in lower wattage bulbs in an effort to keep it from happening again; I should be safe.

Do it!

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you!

The Big Proposal

The long awaited event has finally occurred! Michael, my boyfriend of four and a half years, proposed to me on Friday night, July 18, 2008. He's spending the summer in Columbus, OH for his internship with Nationwide, so I flew in to visit for the weekend. He picked me up from the airport, and we went straight to Handke's for dinner. I knew we were going, so I dressed appropriately.
Michael told me it was a really nice restaurant run by one of the Certified Master Chefs in the world. Also, they have a creme brulee that has been voted best in the country. (Creme Brulee is one of our favorite desserts :-) It was a wonderful dinner. We started with lobster bisque and a cold potato and leek soup. Michael ordered "Duck Three Ways, 'Bocuse D’or' Sautéed Duck Breast, Confit of Duck Leg & Duck Sausage, Sauerkraut, & Chive Potato Mousseline," and I got one of the specials- Chilean Sea Bass with mushrooms, snow peas, baby carrots, and rice pilaf. For dessert we ordered the Dessert Symphony, which included samples of Brown Sugar Crème Brûlée with Seasonal Berries, Dark Chocolate Terrine, Raspberry & Passion Fruit Sauce, New York Style Cheesecake, Marinated Seasonal Berries in Almond Lace Cookie Basket, Sauce Anglaise, and Apple Strudel with Cinnamon Ice Cream. So yummy!!

When we arrived back at Michael's apartment, he told me the place was really messy and I should wait outside while he cleaned up a bit. I thought this was kind of weird because he has never cared too much about his mess in front of me and the housekeeping person comes every two weeks so it couldn't be that bad. I slightly suspected something, but because I have slightly suspected something several times before, I figured I was wrong again. When he let me in, he led me in to a room that could be a den but is unfurnished. He had set it up with a sheet on the floor and tea lights and roses bordering it. There was a chair in the center with cushions in front. He led me to the chair and knelt down on one knee on the cushion. Gavin DeGraw's "We Belong Together" was playing in the background. Michael had made a whole play list for the event that included "Your Song," "Collide," "The Luckiest," "Still," "I'll Be," "Back at One," "More Than Words," "More Than Anyone," "Better Together," "All for You," and "Sea Breeze."
I'm sure that Michael said something wonderful, but it's all a bit of a blur. It definitely included how much he loves me, how great he thinks we are together, and how he wants to spend the rest of his life with me. He pulled out a ring that I think is beautiful and just what I wanted. And of course, I said yes :-)

After I accepted, I knelt down on the other cushion, and Michael prayed over us for our relationship and our future together. I started to cry just a little. Finally, we sat down and watched a short slide show he had made featuring pictures of us over the last several years. It was amazing, and I still kind of can't believe we're finally engaged. I keep looking down at the ring on my finger to admire it, and we're having fun calling each other fiancé and fiancée or future wife and future husband. I even threw in a Mr. Amber and Mrs. Michael for good measure (a Friends reference for those of you not as obsessed as the rest :-).
I'm excited to start the planning process. We'll probably set up a wedding website soon through something like theknot.com, so I'll keep you updated. Thanks to everyone who has already wished us congratulations.

4th of July weekend

For the 4th of July weekend, Michael flew in for a visit. His brother Willie and Willie's girlfriend Stefany drove to New York from Kansas City to spend the weekend with us as well. We did all kinds of touristy stuff since Willie and Stefany had never been to the city before. We went to Times Square, Central Park, FAO Schwarz, Rockefeller Center, 5th Ave., Carnegie Deli, Chinatown, Little Italy, the Brooklyn Promenade, and the Village.

We also took a harbor cruise around lower Manhattan that featured a close-up of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

I was concerned about where to watch the fireworks because I heard some of the prime spots start filling up in the afternoon, even though the fireworks don't start until after 9pm. After going to watch the Nathan's Hot Dog eating contest the morning of the 4th at Coney Island (it was a tie between Joey Chestnut and Kobayashi, and Joey won in a tie-breaking eat off), we went back to my house and enjoyed a BBQ with my roommates and some other friends. In the end, we decided it would be easier to try to find a spot on the Brooklyn side of the East River. We walked from my house straight towards the river, and in about 20 minutes we found a great park with plenty of room for us to spread out some blankets. The best part was that we directly in front of the first of the three Macy's barges from which they set off the fireworks. We still had a couple hours to wait, but I was stoked that we had such a great spot and we didn't have to show up crazy early for it.Laura, Stefany, Willie, me and Michael stand in front of our most excellent viewing spot for the fireworks.

As dusk approached, the FDNY put on a display of shooting water from their fire boats. It started clear, then the water started spraying in red, white and blue.

Except for a few (like the one at Disneyland), I'm rarely awed by fireworks displays. But when this celebration started, I thought I was seeing the grand finale. The beginning of the Macy's Fireworks show started as big as most shows end. It was the most amazing thing ever. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I was thrilled to be able to witness it from so close. Pictures don't do it justice.