Things That Must Go

1. Skinny jeans, the kind that form fit on the way down. They're especially gross on guys. Ew!
2. Personal phone calls at work, specifically me having to listen to my co-workers personal phone calls at work. And not just once, or twice, but sometimes three, four, and five times. Close the door or step outside!
3. My insatiable need for chocolate.
4. The philosophy that being liberal equates open-mindedness.
5. My cluttered room, desk, mind . . .
6. Believing that supplements will lead to weight loss without actually working out.
7. Too many people at the gym thus forcing me to miss out on one of my classes even though I got there twenty minutes early so I wouldn't miss it.
8. Reality TV--the bad ones. Rock of Love, Girlicious, Big Brother, The Apprentice.
9. The lines at Wal-Mart, any time of the day or night.
10. Drew Carey as the new host of The Price Is Right.

Does this contradict my goal of being more positive and less cynical?

Some Suggested Reading

Now I know that I have a list of recommended reads on the side, but if anybody knows anything about me they know that readng is my one true passion. I started reading when I was three years old and have never looked back. If you're looking for something good to read, here are a few of my faves:

• To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee. This book is so poignant and makes me cry every time. I have never read a book that is so full of meaning and intention. It really changes your perspective on how you look at other people. It's about two children in the deep South who have a lot to learn about racism, ignorance, and prejudice.
  
• In the Time of the Butterflies, Julia Alvarez. This is a great book about four sisters in the Dominican Republic who decide to join the rebellion against the dictatorship of Trujillo. It's told from all four perspectives, and by then end you feel like you're one of those sisters.
• The Thirteenth Tale, Diane Setterfield. If you're looking for a throwback to Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights you will love this book for all its spookiness and twisted, layered story. It's one of the finest mysteries I've read in a while. And, it's all about twins!
  
• Mama Day, Gloria Naylor. Not to insult anybody, but this book is not for the faint of heart. It's a pretty complex book, with multiple points of view, and a lot of symbolism. However, after To Kill A Mockingbird, it is my second favorite book. I don't really know how to explain it, though.
  
• Can You Keep A Secret?, Sophie Kinsella. I think this is one of the most perfect books every written. Emma plays a girl who tries over and over to make things right and she cannot catch a break. However, when she tells all of her secrets to a stranger on a plane, she thinks nothing of it until she finds out he's the owner of the company she works for.
  

Hot Mamas

Valentine's Day.
Some of my favorite people! Kaylin, Mindy, Rachel, & Christina.

A Day Full O' Love

Valentine's Day is almost here, and the oodles of love and candy and schmoopy moments are almost upon us.

Now, I'm not necessarily the biggest fan of Valentine's Day as I don't really find anything romantic about being compelled to say "I love you" or give flowers and candy to some chick that you're dating. Now that I think about it, I feel the same way about dating. Surprise, surprise. All of the excitement of dating is a lot less sweet when you're chasing a guy and strong-arming him into asking you out. Don't call me bitter or cynical, peeps. I'd rather be surprised on a Tuesday in the middle of April than on V-Day.

But, I'm going to put my realist, pragmatic attitude away for a moment. If you get a chance, check out my cousin Sarah's blog--you can click on her name on the righthand side. Seriously, the comments she and her husband said about each other made my heart melt. Since I'm a closet romantic, I don't usually admit when something strikes me as the perfect exhibition of love. From a single person's perspective, I'm sometimes doubtful that you can keep that spark alive after being with someone for an extended period of time. But reading what Sarah and Jimi had to say about each other was truly touching, and to be honest, something I rarely see or want. There's so much I can say about my thoughts on the subject, but I think what Sarah and Jimi says really speaks for itself.

Genealogists Are Real People, Too!

This weekend I was in St. George, Utah for a genealogy conference. Here is a taste of what some of the people had in store for us:

• Referring to the mouthwash vial we use to collect the DNA sample--"What is that? Urine?"
• "Why should I donate to your project? Why should I participate? Why do you think I'd be interested in DNA?" These are all questions uttered by the same person(s) within a thirty-second period.
• "This is my favorite book of 2008--Hookers, Crooks, and Kooks." This is an actual genealogical resource book that you can use to trace illustrious women of "ill repute." There are actual census records that record if a woman was an actual prostitute. I checked all the family names and the Penmans, Pontiuses, and Wadmans are okay. Except for Phillips, I can't be sure. There were quite a few of them. We might want to research this matter a little further.

On the plus side, it was so bright and sunny in St. George! With the palm trees in St. George and the bright glare of the sun on my windshield, I felt like breaking out my shorts and flip flops. I think we're on the home stretch of winter because when we came back to Salt Lake, it was bright and sunny as well!

Up at the top is me outside of a Mexican restaurant called Pancho & Lefty's. We went because the name sounded fun. I mean, who doesn't want to hang out with a Pancho or a Lefty? But the food was pretty good too! Check it out if you're in St. George and looking for a place to eat.

Old Friends Revisited

I saw one of my old bosses from BYU and she gave me the email address to a guy I used to work with who I haven't seen in a while. So I dropped him an email. Here's how it went:

ME: Hey! This is Melissa from our old job at the business school. I heard you were still in the area so I thought we should hang out sometime. Give me a call or shoot me an email.
HIM: Who is this? Did you get married?
ME: Um, no. I was dating someone but uh, we broke up.
HIM: Oh, yeah, red hair and freckles?

Yes, that's exactly who I am.

A Family Affair

This weekend Kaylin and I had multiple family functions--always a good time. A baptism and the Super Bowl, I guess depending who you are, some might say that we had a very spiritual weekend.

This is my favorite picture. Apparently even the young one's know I'm a freak show.

Super Bowl Kaylin

Grandma Pontius

My cousins--the cute Burr sisters.