One Down, Two to Go!

My first trimester is finally over, and so is my morning sickness. (thank goodness!) I have felt soo good this last week. I've actually been able to cook again, without feeling nauseous with the smells of the kitchen. I even handled raw chicken last night, which is a big accomplishment. I'm still pretty tired and I get dizzy every once and a while, but I am so, so much better. I hope this stage last for a long, long time - like, maybe until December! I'm just so glad to be feeling well, especially since Josh is gone.

Since my nauseau is gone, I could finally do a temple session this morning. I've been wanting to go for so long, but it was just too risky to go the last few months. Anyway, this morning's session was wonderful! I'm lucky to live within walking distance of the temple.

A JOSH UPDATE

Josh is doing so well in California. He drove from Utah to Alameda to visit Jen and Jim and their four cute kids. Josh had never been to their home and they've been in Alameda for years. It was such a treat for Josh to spend a few days with them.

He then drove down to Huntington Beach, where he'll be staying until the end of August. He's living with my single uncle, Mark -- who has been soo generous to Josh. Josh has had such a blast living with Mark, and it's only been the first week.

This is Mark's neighborhood. His apartment is only a half mile inland from Huntington Beach. What a perfect location! Josh is loving it. He's gone on nightly runs along the nice paved beach trail. He's looking to get a bike down there, so he can go on bike trips with Mark. Josh spent the day at the beach yesterday playing volleyball with Mark and his friends. When I talked to him at night Josh, Mark, and a friend of Mark's had just made huge chocolate banana shakes for themselves after a long day in the sun. They also went to Pei Wei for dinner....I'm so jealous. I love, love, love that place! It was soo good to hear Josh laughing with Mark and having such a great time. I'm really glad Josh is so happy out there.

He also began work this week. He absolutely loves it and is so grateful for the internship. He loves the company and the people he works with. A highlight of the week was meeting Bill Gross, PIMCO's CEO or Managing Director or something like that. The New York Times has titled him "the nation's most prominent bond investor." His net worth is about 1.3 billion dollars. Not bad. Josh said Bill was really funny and laid back, despite his huge reputation on Wall Street. (To be honest, I could walk past Bill Gross on the street and not even recognize him....but this was a big deal for Josh. I guess you have to be a Finance major.)

Another highlight of the week was going to an Angel's game with his department at work. He's the one on the left with the longer hair. It didn't take long for him to grow out his California shag! Ha ha.

I'd give you an update on my post spring-term life in Provo, but it's not quite as eventful as Josh's internship in California. Although, I am going to the Lehi Rodeo this weekend and that should be blog-worthy! Giddeup!

FREE AT LAST, I AM FREE AT LAST!

DONE!!! With BYU's Spring term, that is. What a relief! It's been a really busy term, and boy does spring term move fast. The fast past was good for only one reason: I only had to have physical science on my mind for two months, rather than a full semester. And that's a blessing.

This also marks the end of my general education courses at BYU. This is also a huge relief. I just have one more semester til graduation, and it should be nice. I'm taking 4 open-studio art classes and a Greek philosophy class that was recommended to me. Not bad, huh? I'll have my final art show in October, and the rest of the semester will be a breeze. I'm so close to the end...and I can't wait to be done! I know, I know, it's still 6 months away, but I'm close. And now I've just got one more term behind me.

Now that I'm done with school for the summer, I can hopefully get on with some fun summer things -- that will make for much more exciting blog posts! Stay tuned.

Related???

Does anyone else see a resemblance between Prince Caspian from Narnia and Mowgli from the Jungle Book!? Prince Caspian definitely keeps himself a little more clothed, but they've got the same hair and the olive skin! Cousins!?

And while I'm talking about resemblances, I think that big bear on the Jungle Book cover may be the same bear in the Prince Caspian movie! Jae will know the furry brute I'm referring to..."For Aslan!!!"

One day down, lots more to go!

Well, my handsome husband took off early yesterday morning for his summer internship in Newport Beach, CA. I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't crying -- keeping in mind I'll be a widow until the end of August, but I'm actually doing quite well now. Here are 10 things that are making me happy:

(1) Knowing that our little Acura is better than we thought. I was sure it was going to break down on the long, hot drive to CA. It had no problems, though!

(2) Multiple phone calls and texts from Josh. It reminds me of our engagement when we couldn't see each other every day.

(3) Gala apples.

(4) Clear skies with a slight breeze.

(5) Walking to school. I love being outside and moving and having some time to think. (We'll see if I still feel this way after being car-less for the rest of the summer!)

(6) The Visiting Teaching program.

(7) PB & J's with chunky peanut butter, my mom's homemade strawberry jam, and Macey's white bread. I know, I know, white bread is evil. I hadn't bought it in years, but I just bought a loaf and it's so yummy for PB & J's. It reminds me of being a little kid. (What brought on my sudden craving for white bread? Having about 5 big slices of Becky's yummy homemade white bread at the Hawkins BBQ on Monday. YUM)

(8) Listening to John Mayer.

(9) "Tight-rope-walking" along the street curbs on my way to class.

(10) Counting down the days until July 18th, when I'll be flying to California to visit Josh and to celebrate our anniversary. Definitely a happy thought!

A little help, please

So, when it comes to the layout of a blog, the fanciest thing I know how to do is change the color of the background and text. Will someone please share the secret on how to get all the cute blog backgrounds! Gracias.

Strawberry Cheesecake (the 5 minute version)

Last night I felt like strawberry cheesecake, and five minutes later I had an equivalent whipped up from start to finish! My secret: I made some Cheesecake flavored instant pudding, which only takes a few minutes of wisking. Then I topped it with crumbled graham crackers and sliced strawberries. Of course, it wasn't the real deal, but it was pretty close! And I felt much less guilty eating sugar-free, fat-free pudding, reduced-fat graham crackers, and fruit. Not bad. Josh was equally as pleased with my quick family night dessert!

Sorry, no pictures. My appetite was much stronger than my thought to take a picture!