Summer Blockbusters

I am really excited for this summer because of all the super sweet movies that are coming out!

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

I can't deny it. I love these books!

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

I started screaming when the trailer came on during the Super Bowl

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

The third movie bombed so I'm hoping they will redeem the X-Men name with this one.

Earth

I've seen EVERY Planet Earth and I love them all. This movie just looks super cute!

Terminator: Salvation

The first two were phenomenal. Third one bombed. This movie is gonna be awesome!

Angels and Demons

I always thought the book was very "Hollywood" and would make a good movie.

Speaking of movies...

I've recently seen and recommend:

Slumdog Millionaire

It won all those Oscars for a reason

The Soloist

Robert Downey Jr. Enough said.

2nd best team in the west: the Laker bench

Game 1 is about to start. 

Laker vs Jazz!

Bring it!

Randomness that is my life

*These are not done in any kind of order... although I did save the best for last.

(1) Socially awkward people

“Hey, can you turn down the volume so I can listen to your conversation?”

What?! I mean… WHAT?! No really, this was said to me (by a person in the back seat) while I was driving a car and talking to my passenger. Some people really lack social skills. If you want to get involved in a conversation then get involved! Make a comment! Say something! Don’t ask permission to eaves drop.

(2) LOST

I am totally addicted to the show LOST. The first episode I saw was from the 5th season and it really confused me. As a result, I was intrigued! I have watched the first 2 seasons in the last 3 weeks. It just keeps getting better and better. I’ll be caught up in no time.

(3) “Welcome, this is our farmhouse”

Phish is back... and I'm going to see them...

in Washington… at the Gorge!

INSANITY!

(4) Happy Easter

I had to work today. I walked through the wilderness and record sites. Even though I was distracted by work, I still had time to think about my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that Christ died for me and that he rose on the third day. I know that, through Him, I can be saved. I love Him!

"Someone blows their nose and you want to keep it?"

Guess where I'm staying for the next 5 night?! 

The same place I always stay at when I come to Pioche, NV for work.

But this time it's different.

Earlier today, while across the street from our hotel (The Overland Hotel) at a local cafe, my co-workers and I came across four people with "P.I.T.O.N." written on their sweatshirts. Piton? What is that?! Oh well. 

Back at our hotel we came across the Piton people again. This time I looked closely at their sweatshirts and saw what "P.I.T.O.N" stands for.

"Paranormal Investigation Team of Nevada"

That's right! Real life ghost hunters are staying at my hotel! Well, they were staying at our hotel. They finished their investigation last night. 

What did they find in their investigation? Let me tell you.

Bottom line: The hotel is haunted. Totally haunted. The ghost hunters spent last night in one of the rooms (one of the rooms I have stayed in!) in the hotel and they had an encounter. Apparently there is a young boy that haunts this hotel (and more specifically a certain room). They say he is nice... so no worries. There is also a hallway in the hotel that is a "hot spot". Most people who know about the hallway just avoid it because "strange things" happen there. Those ghost aren't as nice as the young boy that haunts one of the rooms. 

I knew it! I knew it from the moment I set foot in this hotel that it was haunted. The first time we stayed here I had to sleep in one of the haunted rooms (I know that now, I didn't know it then). I wouldn't even stay in the room by myself... I made my co-worker sleep with me so I didn't have to be alone. I didn't see anything though, but the feeling alone is enough to give you serious goosebumps. 

Don't worry, I'll be fine. Everything I need to know I learned from Ghostbusters.

Europe or bust

Last year I went on 2 HUGE vacations:

 In May I backpacked through the UK with my great friend Syanna (see here, here, here, and here) 

In November I went to New York City and Egypt with my family (see here, here, here, here, here AND here... wait here too). 

As a result of taking these trips, I have become addicted to traveling. I want to see the world! One country at a time. Next on the list? France and Italy! On May 13 I am heading to The City of Lights with my two best girl friends, Katey and Emily, where we will begin our adventure.

Itinerary:

3 days in Paris

a day in Venice

3 days in Florence (with a stop in Piza)

6 days in Rome (with trips to Capri, Pompeii, Vatican City, and the surrounding area)

What's next?

In 2010 I am going on a cruise to the Baltic Sea with my family!

I'm also hoping to get to Switzerland and New Zealand in the next few years. Anyone wanna come?

Who cares what they think?

I do.

I care.

You know why? 

Because they are my friends.

Let me explain.

Every time I hang out with my guy friends I end up going home feeling really bad about myself. 

I don't think I'm fat. I don't think I'm unattractive. I'm in pretty good shape (can you hike 12 miles a day for 10 days straight?!). I can look in the mirror every morning and say something nice about myself. 

So, what happened, Court? Its hard to explain. 

How can I keep my good self image when I hang out with guys that are constantly googling over super good looking girls? Or guys that complain that none of their "pretty" girl friends have time to hang out with them? Or guys that are complaining because all their hot girl friends are going on missions? Or guys that will only date models? Or guys who will compliment and flirt with other girls in front of me (its not like I want to date them... but everyone likes to be complimented)?

Its not just the guys... sorry to target them. Its hard to feel good about myself when even my best girlfriends are obsessing about their weight (and they are skinny... I'm not just saying that). 

You know what I did after hanging out with these guys? I went home (after stopping by my cousins to trade cars and see my aunt and uncle... long story) and cried. I guess I'm embarrassed. There's always those girls that are super cute and thin who are constantly complaining that they are fat and ugly. Oh, please honey! I guess I'm the total opposite: I'm not attractive (notice I didn't say ugly... not all my self esteem is gone) and I'm not thin, but I'm fine with that. I can't base my self esteem off my looks. And I try not to. Do you follow?

What happened next? The best thing EVER! I went to Costco!

Well, I went to pick up my prescription for my Costochondritis (which means the cartilage between my ribs in inflamed and it hurts when I breathe), but I ended up getting something else there too: diet pills... Hydroxycut to be exact.

After purchasing my goods, I started heading for the exit. As you exit Costco you have to show the door-worker-person your receipt and merchandise. I flashed my receipt (I only had two things) and proceeded to exit when the door-worker-person stopped me. He (a good looking guy) looked at me and said "Hydorxycut?! Naw girl! You don't need these! You look good!" I laughed and said thanks. I guess he didn't think I was genuine because he kept yelling it and even asked the people in line behind me if they thought I looked good. I didn't stick around to hear their answers, but I left smiling.

Moral of the story: I need to lose some weight. I do care what people think about me. If you are thin you need to stop obsessing about your weight and learn to love yourself. If you are hanging out with a not-so-good-looking girl stop telling her about your good looking girl friends, she doesn't want/need to hear about it. That guy at Costco is a sweetheart. 

The Guys' Rules

*I got this in an e-mail and thought it was funny. Its rules for women written by a man.* 

I hope it makes you laugh! Enjoy!

"We always hear 'the rules' from the female side.

Now here are the rules from the male side.

Please note.. these are all numbered '1' ON PURPOSE!

1. Men are NOT mind readers.

1. Learn to work the toilet seat. 

You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1. Sunday sports It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. 

Let it be.

1. Shopping is NOT a sport. 

And no, we are never going to think of it that way.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want.

Let us be clear on this one:

Subtle hints do not work!

Strong hints do not work!

Obvious hints do not work!

Just say it!

1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do.

Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

1. A headache that lasts for 17 months is a Problem.

See a doctor.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument.

In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 Days.

1. If you won't dress like the Victoria 's Secret girls, don't expect us to act like soap opera guys.

1. If you think you're fat, you probably are.

Don't ask us.

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one

1. You can either ask us to do something or tell us how you want it done.

Not both.

If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.

1. Whenever possible, please say whatever you have to say during commercials.

1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.

1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings.

Peach, for example, is a fruit, not A color. Pumpkin is also a fruit.

We have no idea what mauve is.

1. If it itches, it will be scratched.

We do that.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say 'nothing,' We will act like nothing's wrong.

We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.

1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine... Really.

1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as baseball, the shotgun formation, or golf.

1. You have enough clothes.

1. You have too many shoes.

1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!

1. Thank you for reading this.

Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight;

But did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping."