Best of What's Around

2009-06-25T21:17:00.000-07:00

From the middle school dance recitals (both "Thriller" and "Bad")....

to the 10th grade History 2 month research project on his personal life...

and the countless hours watching music videos....

there is no denying that I loved Michael Jackson.

Truly a legend, and amazing performer!

Since some have asked to see...

2009-06-24T18:45:00.000-07:00

Meet SteepleChase apt #324. This is how I lived for a week and a half.

My mono would not allow me to do any work.

...it was pretty bad.

After!

Biggest closet I've ever had. It's not even that big, haha. But I love it.

Happy to be healthy again.

Oh What A Night

2009-06-03T15:38:00.000-07:00

Maybe I spoke too soon listing off all my “firsts” in a moment of joy. Last night provided a new experience that tested a lot of the girl within me. While I’ve been under the weather for quite some time now, I thought little of it until last week the doctor confirmed I had been afflicted with Mononucleosis, aka “mono.” (at 23 years old?!) It’s been a whirlwind of a time trying to feel well enough to get back to work and move into my new apartment. Yesterday I was up the majority of the day and felt proud for making some progress. My dear hometeachers moved practically everything from my house to the new apartment, as I’ve been directed to not lift anything heavy for the next month. And later on that evening my dear boyfriend Marshall was moving the rest of the heavy stuff when I had an overwhelming heat flash. After sitting down and drinking as much as I could, when I felt my face and neck I knew my temperature was on the incline. Marshall immediately put me in bed and cranked up the AC as he took my temp: 102.5. I took both my prescriptions, and lied down with a cold compress over my forehead. Marshall told me that I just needed to sleep, and that he needed to go soon. I flooded into tears and begged him to stay with me. How could I possibly be left alone in this condition? Is there anything worse than being by yourself when you're sick? I knew he had to go though- and within minutes his roommate was there to take him home. Marshall turned off all my lights, locked my door, and there I was- alone. Somehow this wasn’t quite what I had envisioned. As I lay in the middle of my room on a bare mattress with a high fever and boxes and boxes of my belongings surrounding me- I thought to myself- My Life Has Never Been A Bigger Mess. The prescriptions must have counteracted one another, because I was anything but “drowsy”- as I had been promised. I was however, dizzy, extremely dizzy and a little out of it. Over and over I kept reassuring myself that noises = normal, and that click you heard is not someone trying to break in, the sixth sense is not a real sense and you don't have it, and yes-that box was there an hour ago. Then the lightening and thunder storm started. Scared me to death! I curled up in the middle of that bare mattress, a blanket on top of me, afraid of literally everything. Funny how I was supposedly making this independent life stride- I hadn't felt that child-like in years. I dozed in and out of sleep all night- awaking to everything from an aching throat, to cold, heat, the storm, hunger, etc. As I write this post at 6:27 AM, I feel extremely grateful for morning. That night was horrible. H-O-R-R-I-B-L-E. But I think sometimes we have to have a horrible night. Horrible nights makes us appreciate all the normal nights. And they make us realize that we’re ok, that we’re tough, and can make it through. That being said… I really hope that was the worst it will get and it’s all uphill from here! I also need to get my cable hooked up....and find a dog to call my own. That will help too.

A time for first

2009-05-24T09:45:00.000-07:00

This past week marked my one year in Texas. I've been thinking about everything that's happened since that first night Allison and I drove in at 2 AM to Leslie and Ryan's apartment complex. I feel like I don't even know that girl sometimes when I realize how many "firsts" have happened here. First time truly, truly living away from home (that was probably overdue), first time getting a real job and starting a career. First time making some real money. First time sticking to a regular workout (thanks a million, jillian). First time having a boyfriend that I truly trust and love. First time buying a car on my own. . I guess all these "firsts" have prepared me for what's around the corner. This Friday I sign a 13 month contract to live at SteepleChase Apartments. While I've debated with myself hundreds of times back and forth if this is really the right thing to do, I've come to the conclusion that at this point, I couldn't -and wouldn't- have it any other way.

My friend Meg and I were talking the other day and I was telling her that I really do believe in The Secret. I used to daydream as a little girl how fun it would be to grow up, get a job, and live in my own apartment. Is this weird? I've realized I have always wanted to do this. People have been pointing out the downfalls- loneliness....unsafe.....impractical..... but when it all comes down to it, it's what's best for me, and I couldn't be more excited! So here's to starting a second year of living in this wonderful land, and living it up on my own!

Six-month Sabbatical

2009-04-13T19:39:00.000-07:00

I've been so out of the loop these past months, but I *finally* got my Mac back, and my camera is back in my life too, so here's some very over-due pics of your favorite remote Texan blogger. Enjoy.

OCTOBER

Halloween: My all-time favorite holiday. This was one of my best Halloween's ever. I wore three different costumes that day, got to hang out with my home girls (London, Maddie and Les) and went to a crazy ward party.

NOVEMBER

Marshall shows me the ropes downtown and introduces me to this lovely man, Leslee

-aka- the Queen of Austin.

THANKSGIVING TIME

Meka. I lived with this girl for 5 months and had a blast with her.

She taught me how to cook dinner and I taught her how to appreciate the Office. Fair trade.

EARLY DECEMBER

I also have a job. I really have enjoyed working at Park Valley Inn. Here we are at Christmas making holiday crafts. Sometimes I really underestimate how much work goes into a project, but overall I'm learning a lot and really love the experiences I've been having.

MID-DECEMBER

Christmastime. An "Elf" spaghetti/syrup/candy dinner = Grossest/best meal of the season.

CHRISTMAS EVENING

Jocelyn learns to ride Marshall's bullet bike. JK- but she looked cool on it.

NEW YEARS

The family takes canoes out at Zilker park. This was in January, look at that beautiful weather for crying out loud! Teaching the grandchildren young to love canoeing, you know that's a priority to us Davis' (Davises? I have never learned how to pluralize my last name correctly)

JANUARY

Here is a pic of Marshall overlooking Austin. I really like this picture of him for some reason.

VALENTINE'S DAY

For Valentine's day, since I don't have children of my own, I splurged on my nieces and bought them balloon basket n' bear bouquets. The next few weeks, every time they saw me they asked if I had more presents for them.

Lol. Could these girls be any sweeter.

EARLY SPRING- MARCH

Marshall took me to SXSW which, after being confused for weeks by the billboards, stands for South By Southwest- HUGE concert series expanded over 3 days. We saw Fastball and Explosions in the Sky and there was a huge fireworks show at the very end of it overlooking the river. We loved it!! (even if we were slightly high from surrounding potheads)

Another Year, Another Move

2009-01-12T08:48:00.000-08:00

Fact: I have moved 12 times in the past 5 1/2 years.
Next month makes 13. This time I'm really ready for it though. I'm moving in with two close friends from the ward in a nice, new, clean, adorable house.
A lady from work gave me a lot of her old furniture including a flat screen TV and a queen sized bed, for $50! LUCKY BREAK, right?

I'm hoping this year will see as many positive changes as the last one did. I hope to build on that and always keep challenging myself. A few things I hope to really accomplish this year are to run a marathon, finish my college scrapbook, get a dog, and start going back to school (ugh, i know). Also, getting my laptop back. That has proven to be a real challenge, as I haven't seen it since Thanksgiving. WTH.

Gifts of the Season

2009-01-02T13:14:00.000-08:00

Favorite Present Given:

Favorite Present Received:

What could be better than these gifts! I've always wanted to give someone a Dwight Schrute Bobblehead, and finally I found the perfect candidate worthy of me forking over the moolah for it. BF. He, in turn, got me the office trivia game (and a puppy!...stuffed puppy). Currently, we read through a few dozen trivia cards every day so that we'll kick trash once we have our tournament with our ward buddies. Don't tell.

2008-12-31T07:46:00.000-08:00

After much anticipation- last night I finally got to see Marley & Me. I was so excited when I saw the preview for this movie, as it has been one of my favorite books the past few years. What I did not anticipate was how many tears would be shed. I miss my dogs, a lot. To the point where I cry over them. A lot. Is this weird?

After the movie we (me and bf) went to the pet store to look at puppies (started crying again) Conclusion: My body doesn't want babies, all it needs is a dog. I'm going through withdrawals.

2008-12-23T10:49:00.000-08:00

Jack's Mannequin: Swim

You Gotta Swim
Swim for your life
Swim for the music
That saves you
When you're not so sure you'll survive
You gotta swim
Swim when it hurts
The whole world is watching
You haven't come this far
To fall off the earth
The current will pull you
Away from your love
Just keep your head above

I found a tidal wave
Begging to tear down the dawn
Memories like bullets
They fire at me from a gun
Cracking the armor yeah
I swim for brighter days
Despite the absence of sun
Choking on salt water
I'm not giving in,
I swim

You gotta swim
Swim in the dark
There's no shame in drifting
Feel the tide shifting away from the spark
Yeah you gotta swim
Don't let yourself sink
Just find the horizon
I promise you it's not as far as you think
The currents will drag us away from our love
Just keep your head above
Just keep your head above
Swim
Just keep your head above
Swim, swim
Just keep your head above
Swim

Well Said, Andrew.

This Christmas

2008-12-19T08:22:00.000-08:00

This Christmas is:

1st time away from the Davis Home since birth.
Family coming to Austin!
1 entire week off work.
Losing traditions.
Starting new ones.
Spending lots of time with the boyfriend.
Running, running, running.
"Elf" Party complete with a spaghetti + syrup + candy dinner
Lord of the Rings Party
Trail of Lights at Zilker Park
75 degree weather
Shopping at the Outlets with the girls.
Missing the dogs.
Missing old friends.
Loving new friends.
Taking the family around the city.
Catching up with siblings and parents.
Missing Allison and Spencer.

2008-12-13T09:21:00.000-08:00

Mark my words, I will never cut my hair again.

Heather Nicole Davis-- You do not like short hair. Nor do you look good with short hair.

Stop cutting it.

This is the third time in my life I've done this. Ok it's really not short--a little above my shoulders. But I feel naked and not cute. Long hair is what I like, and long hair is what I will stick with from here on out.

What's Up Readers?

2008-12-12T08:34:00.000-08:00

I know this sounds dramatic, but I love when I find a song that changes my life. One of my favorite artists is Andrew McMahon of Something Corporate and now Jack's Mannequin. I just bought his new album and have literally listened to track 10 "Hammers and Strings (A Lullaby)" hundreds and hundreds of times. I highly recommend this album, (his swearing has decreased dramatically) and specifically this song. It is so beautiful--do you ever feel like a song belongs to you?

I'm training for a marathon. No, not a sissy half-mar. The Real Deal Peeps. This is something I have wanted to do since High School, and I finally realized if you can't run 26.2 miles when you're 23 years old, when do you expect to be able to? Training takes a lot of time. I repeat a lot of time, but it's worth every minute. Meg Stephanie Blair Radiviginchi will be joining me (in a matching outfit mind you) for Race Day here in Austin in 2 months.
Am I nervous? YES.
Do I freak out about my shin splints on a daily basis? YES. But actually not as much anymore--I have found hope in a bottle titled "Tiger Balm." --Walgreens, BUY IT if you understand my pains.
Am I excited? YES!

After a two month panic of a missing camera (never trust a boy with your camera), it has been returned to the safety of my purse. I will update pictures as soon as I get my Mac back from the repair shop (should I be worried that I haven't heard from them in 3 weeks).

Do not comment, after all I don't comment on yours anymore, although I still do read your blogs.

Schlitterbahn

2008-09-21T18:38:00.000-07:00

Be careful pronouncing this word. (schLitterbahn)

This is the best waterpark in the world...seriously.

A bunch of my friends and I went Saturday, and even though it was way crowded, it was such a fun day. The best part was being talked into doing the "skycoaster." AHHHHH. Me and two of my friends strapped into a sling and raised to the top of a 300 foot launch tower and then dropped-- swinging back and forth above the waterpark.

Loved it! If you're ever in Austin, I will take you to this waterpark and make you do it with me.

P.S. I miss all of you.

2008-09-16T16:36:00.001-07:00

Greetings anyone who still reads this.

Do not panic. Hurricane Ike did not sweep me away--

I have not had the internet for 3 weeks except at work where I can't access blogs.

....I do not like this situation.

In the meantime...today in Austin the weather cooled down a bit. Summer is officially over,

and that means Fall is on its way. But it's not the same! There is something very heart-warming about autumn in Provo. The canyon, the mountains, the trees, everything.

I miss it.

P.S. I'm officially employed--have my own office, no residents yet but hopefully soon, the building is waiting for he safety code to pass still (it failed once already) I'll post pics soon.

It's been a little crazy trying to figure everything out but I really love my new job!

Happy Birthday Riss!

2008-08-14T21:56:00.000-07:00

Marissa--You are smart, funny, talented, and beautiful. What more could I want in a friend.

I hope you had a great birthday! I love you!

2008-08-10T16:06:00.000-07:00

On Friday morning I was told that I got the job! Thanks for all the interviewing tips, they paid off. The interview went really well, I was extremely impressed with the building--it's brand new, and beautiful. I will be the recreation therapist at the Park Valley Inn Care Center starting September 15. What's great about this job is that the administrator of the building used to be a rec. therapist so I'll have someone to turn to with all my questions. There is a lot to learn, but I'm really excited about it!

For Real

2008-08-06T16:52:00.001-07:00

Up until this point in my life, I've never had to seriously interview for a job. I'm used to meeting with the owner/boss, sitting down for a few minutes, handing them a resume and answering a few questions. No big deal. Well, before even processing what was going on, I scheduled an interview for an activities director position at a brand new long-term care facility in Round Rock, Texas. I wasn't even thinking about the fact that I might be nervous, or that I should probably prepare for this until today at work, a few too many people overheard that I had an interview coming up and next thing I know I'm sitting in the center of 3 of the administrators answering my best to their sly and creative questions I may be asked tomorrow such as... "What is something you would bring to this facility and this company that no one else could?" umm........ Now I'm starting to feel a little more like the guy in the picture! This may sound silly but the drive home I turned off the radio and practiced answering these possible questions as professionally and prompt as possible. I must say, interviewing is not my forte, simply because I haven't had much experience with it. The fact of the matter is though--I am well cut out for this job. I've been in the industry over 5 years, have a broad range of experience, and know how to handle this population well. Now, learning to "sell" all of this efficiently in 10-15 minutes....any last minute advice?

2008-08-01T09:28:00.000-07:00

So here has been my problem this summer: it is really really hot and humid here, and I'm not allowed to wear any open-toed shoes at work. I won't give you all the details but it has not been a pretty combination. The other day I found this product--Just Feet foot spray by Sally Hansen. I was a little skeptical but bought it anyway. IT WORKS. I spray it in my shoes and on my feet in the morning and it completely saves me--my feet stay so much more dry and do not smell at the end of the day. If you know what I'm talking about, go buy this product!

100 Years

2008-07-30T19:53:00.000-07:00

Today my favorite resident at Gracy Woods II turned 100 years old. Can you imagine what that would be like to live that long? I was in charge of throwing her a huge surprise party, complete with 100 balloons, 3 cakes that spelled out 1 0 0, and almost 100 guests! It turned out so well.

Edna Hollaway on her 100th Birthday

Here is an idea of what America was like in the year 1908:

The average life expectancy was 47 years. (well she certainly exceeded that)
Only 14% of the homes had a bathtub
Only 8% of homes had a telephone
There were only 8,000 cars in the U.S., and only 144 miles of paved roads.
The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower
The average wage was 22 cents per hour
More than 95% of all births took place in the home
90% of all doctors had no college education. They attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press and by the government as "substandard" (um, ok..)
Most women only washed their hair once a month (I would have fit right in)
The American flag had 45 stars: Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Hawaii, and Alaska hadn't been admitted to the Union yet.
The population of Las Vegas, Nevada was only 30!
There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.
Two out of every 10 adults could not read or write
Only 6% of all Americans had graduated from high school
Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores.

It makes you wonder what "crazy" things people will say 100 years from now about today--I'm strongly betting there will be a different fuel source by then, maybe someone will have cured cancer or at least come close, perhaps marijuana will become legal again, who knows! I hope that if I live to be 100 I'm as great of a person as Edna Hollaway is.

2008-07-26T19:26:00.003-07:00

sorry for all the youtube links these days. or if you don't appreciate animal humor-- but i L-O-L every time i watch this. The mom is so funny.

Why Yes-- I could very well live here.

2008-07-26T14:43:00.000-07:00

Meet my future home! I may need a new profession in order to buy it. but details schmetails.

You might need to sit down for this

2008-07-19T22:00:00.000-07:00

Well, on Friday I contributed my part in the State Capital's Motto. One of the weirder moments of my life took place, and while I initially wasn't going to tell a soul what has happened, I now choose to share it with the world. Over the past several weeks, I've gotten to be pretty good friends with one of the staff members at work. He's one of the head administrators and shares an office with my boss so we've gotten to know each other pretty well. When I first met him I thought he was really nice and good-looking but then found out he's married. Hands Off. But then...he started flirting with me. I thought it was a little odd but didn't worry about it too much, just thought it was all in good fun, two people joking around. Also, as some of you know, my boss and I butt heads a lot so it was nice to have someone there that kept me sane. Anyway, he kept asking if I'd been to Mount Benel and when I kept responding No, he told me he would take me. I was a little hesitant but he reassured me that it was really close and wouldn't take long, less than an hour for sure. So on Friday we both got off work a couple hours early and decided it was a good time to go. I told him I'd follow him but he laughed and said he'd drive. So we get in his car and he decides to go to Sonic first. Ok. He refuses to let me pay, but it was happy hour so I guess a $1 drink isn't that big of a deal. Next, Mount Benel. Well, "really close" ended up being about a half hour drive. We "hiked" the 100 step climb and looked over Lake Travis for a little while, and it is really pretty, I'm glad I've seen it. At this point I assumed he'd drive me back to my car. Instead he said he had to show me one more thing. While we were driving he told me that when he first found out I was single he was shocked, and that he can't understand why I'm not dating someone. Our conversation then progressed to why it's close-minded of me to only date boys that are Mormon and I should expand my horizons more because I never know where I'll find someone. A little uneasy, both from the conversation and the fact that I have to pee like a racehorse, we pull up to a boat dock. He shows me around and starts sharing his dreams of how he wants to own a boat and plans on buying one in a few years. Okaaay. Half an hour later we get back in his car and he tells me there's just one more place he wants to take me. We pull up to this place called the Iguana, which turns out to be a nice restaurant overlooking the lake. Uh huh... So we share an appetizer while he continues to talk about how he'll convince me to stay in Austin and he's been thinking of ways he can make me stay. All the while, never once bringing up his wife. In fact, anytime I've brought her up he almost completely ignores it and changes the subject. So by this point in the excursion, the tides have definitely changed from "a little hesistant" to "ok, this is flat out wrong." I realize at the Iguana "I am on a date with a married man." putting aside that factor: "I am on a date with a 36-year old man." Each are a little questionable on their own, but combined? The entire ride home he keeps telling me how he'll take me to these jazz concerts and parks while I'm sipping on my empty sonic trying to figure out how in the world I got myself in this situation.

So there you have it. Call me what you want--My brother-in-law thinks "mistress" puts it well--but I was completely set up and not in the wrong! Needless to say though, I really need to watch myself from now on and realize that "harmless joking around" can be interpreted very differently.

More to follow on how I get myself out of this one.

How to throw a Luau for the elderly

2008-07-19T20:05:00.000-07:00

For my Capstone Project, I threw a Hawaiian Luau for the residents and their families. It turned out really well in the end but there were some stressful parts to it. In case you ever need to throw one, here's how to do it:

1. My boss--bless his heart--was insistent that for the invitations I assemble 120 "message in a bottles." Each one takes about 5 minutes. Do not start this project at 9:00 PM, or you will be up until 3:30 AM.

2. Morning of--creatively decorate fruit trays. This part is really fun, but you do not need 8 of them, unless you want a lot of leftovers.

3. Cheesecake bites--an automatic hit, everyone loves these.

4. Bring in some Hawaiian dancers. The residents will love this part and clap to the music.

5. Serve the residents great food, including this "Sand Dessert." Again, you do not need to make 6 of these buckets. 2 is plenty.

6. Make a killer drink. All it is is Simply Lemonade with mint leaves and orange slices but everyone will love it. For this drink...you will need more than you think. It runs out fast.

7. Have fun with your coworkers. I love these girls, they helped me so much and all the residents love them because they are always dancing and laughing.

I was exhausted by the end of it all, it took a lot of planning to order all the food, decorations, DJ, dancers, organize it all, and come up with games for the staff and residents, but in the end it was worth it. The residents all loved it and my boss gave me an A.

Girl's Best Friend.

2008-07-13T22:06:00.000-07:00

I need to have a dog in my life. And Soon. I decided today that once I find a good job, I am going to buy myself a puppy. Suggestions anyone? I love miniature dachshunds, beagles, and mixes of terriers, spaniels, or yorkies, but love all dogs which I'm sure you already know.

King Charles Cocker Spaniel

Miniatue Dachshund

Dachshund Terrier Mix (could you not just die?!)

Give him to me!! I absolutely love dogs that head cock, it kills me!

H to the Annette! AKA Kirsten Krason

2008-07-08T09:48:00.000-07:00

Here's to Kirsten Sue Curtis Krason! She is definitely one of my favorite people in this world. I don't think I've ever found a flaw in this girl--she is so much fun to be friends with and without a doubt can always make me laugh. How lucky I was to find her in High School!! She has helped me through a lot. I admire this girl in many, many ways and will always consider her one of my closest friends. I would be so lost without her in my life!

I love you Kirsten!! Have a wonderful Birthday!