Hick Day

I'm done with school, and you know what that means... the Lehi Roundup Rodeo!

It doesn't feel like summer until I at least smell the fresh dirt, hot dog stands, cow turd, and horses. As always I had a blast with my friends. I'm glad we were not rained out like last year.

How Exciting is This?

I'm Likeable

My cute friend Hannah did a post listing things that she liked about herself. Too often I can be too hard on myself. I'm quicker to say whats wrong with myself then right, so today I am going to list of things I like about myself.

• I like that I stand up for myself, and what I believe is right no matter where I am, or who I am around.
• I like that I care about my family and friends a lot.
• I like my long brown hair
• I like that I've been able to get through anything life brings my way
• I like that I am brave
• I like my toes
• I like my humor
• I like that I try to be level headed, and fair
• I like that I can socialize in a room full of people I don't know

What do you like about yourself?

Tiger or Dog?

In Japan it is becoming popular to give your dog a different look. A really different look.






Yes, these are actual dogs. How adorable is that? I think Reggie would be a really good looking Tiger.

{Wanted}

Wanted

20-30 year old male or female as a friend companion. One who understands it takes a great amount of effort to be a true friend. Must be able to know how to do the following; call on a regular basis, listen to my lame life, offer great advice, let me into their lives, plan "friend dates" for just the two of us every once in a while, not fall off the face of the earth when you obtain a boyfriend/girlfriend or husband/wife, watch comedy romance movies, tell each other everything (even the stuff I might cringe over), get pedicures, get along with Brandon, not pass judgement (as much as possible anyway), sing and dance to Lady GaGa, and most importantly, be there for me, not because I said so, but because you want to.

Yates vs Wilde

I'm starting to think women get the shaft when it comes to getting married. Since when did we have to jump through so many hoops? I'm surprised we still uphold traditions that were created centuries ago.

For instance, why does my family (and when I say family, I mean mostly me) have to pay for almost the entire wedding? Traditionally the grooms family pays for flowers and the dinner/luncheon you do. So, this means the groom does what? Ok, so I understand they should take care of the honeymoon/ring. I'm still thinking they have it easier though. Dudes don't have to wear a huge white dress, and have everyone judge every single choice you make for your wedding. The men should at least have to do something that makes us equal. How about making them build you a house, or feed you bonbons and grapes whenever you wanted for the rest of your life. Yep, that sounds about fair.

The reality is, most of it is not fair. The whole "take his name" thing is so last millennium. Why are we constantly giving up our names? This requires sitting at the social security office for hours, get a new drivers licence, then change your name with everything... bank accounts, loans, titles, work, school, benefits. The list could go on forever. I'm getting a little tired of being called Rachel Wilde already. I'm not entirely sold on the entire idea. There is a very good chance I will leave my name the way it is. I have yet to tell someone that without them freaking out a little bit.

Whats wrong America? Do you not like the fact that I plan on being married, and keep the name I was born with? That I'm not being a stay at home, wearing my apron, with my six kids running around the white picket fence? Okay, that was a little over-the-top, but I'm getting really tired of having to defend my choice. In fact, it makes me want to keep my name even more, whats the rush anyway? I could always change it years down the road if I'd like.

Why are people making such a big deal out of this? It doesn't mean my marriage is less ligament than someone who shares the same name. I don't like it when people pull the kid card either. If I ended up having kids, they could end up having Brandon's last name. Or maybe every other one could have a different last name. Really, when it comes down to it, it doesn't matter that much.

I wish I was a dude (sorta).

In case you are wondering...

X-raying birds is not an easy task. They are so fragile just the tinniest restraint could send them into a panic attack, heart attack, death.

I'm not kidding, they die if they are scared enough. (Just ask my sister, who stepped on my birds leg years ago, sending him into shock, and then dying.)

So because you can't really restrain a bird, and you can't be in the x-ray with the bird, you get a little something that looks like this...


Believe it or not, he actually liked being taped down to this cassette then having one of us hold him down. I just feel a little bad, it looked like we were crucifying him. But at least the x-ray turned out.



Pretty cool eh?

Only one more week until I get a three month break from school!

Currently Loving

A well known fact about me is that I am white, very white. When summer comes around I'm always looking for new ways to not look so white all the time. My mom used to use Jergens lotion to help give her color during the winter. So I finally bought some over the weekend, and love it! I refuse to be white Rachel again this summer.


I started watching Grey's Anatomy a week ago, and can't watch it fast enough. I am drawn to the characters, and story lines. Last night I stayed up late to watch the end of season two. A lot of people are constantly dying in this show, which can be a downer at times.


Izzie who is one of the doctors on this show fell in love with a patient who ended up dying at the end of season two (sorry for the spoiler). I sat and cried with her, first because Jeff Morgan was the man that died (hottie!), and because I knew what that felt like. On a side note, is it bad that I want Derek and Meredith to work out? I know that Derek is married, but his wife cheated on him! I am pro love, and I also don't believe in giving cheaters second chances. Over the weekend I was sharing my opinion when someone gave me this repulsed look and said

"But, Derek is married. He owes it to his wife to try and work things out."

I'm not sure I really believe in that. The marriage was already broken, and there are things some people can not heal from. My views of marriage have always been different from others though. I think I love this show because it has everything I look for, drama, comedy, romance, and suspense. If you need a good cleansing cry, Grey's is the show to watch.



I know I swore I'd never wear crocs, but once I tried on their flip flops it was love. I wear them every day in rain or shine. I still will not wear the traditional looking crocs, but I will splurge on these bad boys.

Waisting Time

Eight things I am passionate about
1. Brandon
2. Dogs (especially Reggie)
3. Family
4. Friendships
5. Bettering myself
6. Lady GaGa
7. Reading
8. Shoes

Eight words or phrases I use all the time
1. Oh snap!
2. Holla at ya girl!
3. Why you gotta bring [insert subject here] into it?
4. Thats what she said
5. Oh no you didn't!
6. For why?
7. Who dat?
8. Say what?

Eight things I want to do before I die
1. Get married
2. Open a doggie daycare
3. See Greece
4. Write a book
5. Swim in the pacific ocean
6. Work with Tigers
7. Be in another play
8. Save someones life

Eight things I want or need
1. A break from school
2. To move out
3. A decent DJ and cake decorator
4. More money (as always)
5. For September 17th to get here faster
6. More time with my fiancé
7. A vacation
8. Some sushi

Eight places I would like to visit
1. Ireland
2. Greece
3. Australia
4. France
5. Canada
6. Fiji
7. Jamaica
8. Hawaii


Eight restaurants I love
1. Ruth's Diner
2. Mikados
3. Cheesecake Factory
4. Melting Pot
5. Sam Pan
6. Porcupine Grill
7. Good Wood
8. Pei Wei

Eight shows I like to watch
1. Greys Anatomy
2. True blood
3. Dexter
4. Glee
5. Sex in the City
6. Scrubs
7. Dogtown
8. True life

Engage in This

For your viewing pleasure, I give you some of our engagement pictures...

















I'm in love with these pictures, but more in love with my amazing fiancé.

He Is My Everything

No seriously, he is.

We wake up every morning. While I shower, he sits on our lovesac and waits patiently until I'm ready for the day. We grab a quick bite to eat, I tell him I love him and will miss him, then we both go our separate ways.

After a long day, I come home and he, as always, is ecstatic to see me. We exchange kisses and a lot of hugs, and I tell him about my day. He listens to everything I have to say, and we eat dinner together. Usually the rest of the night is spent doing miscellaneous things. It always ends the same though, us cuddling while I read a bit, then we start all over again the next day.

This morning I was reminded how much he means to me. We have been through so much together, and I could never repay him what he has given me. He heals my heart. If you woke up to this face everyday, he would heal your heart too.

♥

Aloha!

It's been almost 11 months since my mom died. Although it has almost been a year, I am still learning new things about myself every day. I've learned I have new fears (a lot of them if I'm going to be honest). One of them being going to the doctor. I seem to only associate doctors to idiots, who have no idea what they are doing. I mean, to this day they still don't know what happened to my mom. Absolutely no answers. I'm also scared if I go to a doctor they will tell me something is wrong with me.

I'm sorry to inform you Rachel, but it looks as though you have diabetes...
a heart murmur...
high cholesterol...
breast cancer...

I can't hide from them forever though. I understand it isn't fair to my family, friends, especially Brandon to not take care of myself. I believe the last time I walked into a doctors office was when I was in high school. I'm also more in my comfort zone then ever before. I'm having a hard time going out and trying new things, even though a huge part of me wants that. I want to get out and explore things, and leave this current me behind. I'm especially tired of holding back myself from gaining life experience.

Recently I got an opportunity to make a big step out of my comfort zone and have a good time. My initial reaction was not to do it. I've thought a lot about it, and although a lot of people may not understand why I would say no, they also don't know what I've been through. But I'm going to say yes. I'm saying yes, to my first doctor appointment in five years. Yes to doing something new, and out of my comfort zone. Yes to Hawaii with my family.

I'm looking forward to having a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see this all day and night (for a week anyway).








So here goes nothing, in attempt to gain everything. I just keep telling myself -

I've lived through the death of my mother. I can do anything.

A Memorial Weekend

First off - I'm sorry people. My blogging has slipped down the tube. Hopefully as life starts to calm down, more posts will come.

My memorial weekend was great! Utah weather was finally on my side, and it started of with my sister graduating. Whoa!?








There were many barbeque's and reasons to celebrate. So I did, almost every single day. Of course me and the family visited mom to hopefully brighten up her day as well.


Obviously she is very missed. I also made time to get engagement pictures done with Brandon and the very talented Michael Witlbank. I had this crazy idea to take our pictures out in the middle of the Bonneville Salt Flats. I went once last year, and it is so strange, I felt like it had to be done. Luckily for me Michael let me be crazy and came out with us. I brought all sorts of weird props, and Wiltbank sure was a champ about my interesting ideas.


The downside to a day at the Salt Falts is this...






Brandon, Michael and I were literally fried by the time we got home. I am still red, but at least the burning sensation has left. I can't complain though, because what we ended up with looks a little something like this...


Fancy eh? I can't wait to see the rest!