Friendly Neighbor Chat

Remember those episodes in Home Improvement where Wilson would peek over the fence and offer sound advice to the Taylor family? Well, those days are GONE, my friends!

When we first moved into our apartment, we noticed there was some patchwork done on our bedroom door. We joked that it was from some psycho-double-punch through the wall, and then forgot about it.

Fast forward to this week. I was in our parking lot helping struggling to carry all my groceries when my neighbor and his friend came over and offered to help. (My neighbor is a nice young guy, probably about 19-21. I had only met him once before the parking lot encounter, but I learned that he and his mom used to live in our apartment, but then moved across the hall because that one was bigger. Anyways...) As we were carrying the groceries, my neighbor explained to his friend, "She lives where we used to live." Then he started this friendly conversation:

"Hey, when you moved in, were there holes in your walls?"
"Uh....no. I don't think so. Why, were there holes when YOU lived there?"
"Yeah...there used to be... *slight pause* See, I used to date this girl, an done weekend I invited her over to stay with me. But we got in a HUGE fight and she punched me, so I like, went crazy and started punching through the walls."
".....oh....o-ok..."
"Yeah, there's probably some patches on the bedroom door if you look close. Also on the main door."
"...yeeeah. I think there are, now that you mention it."
*Awkward pause*
Me: "Well, I guess it's...cool to have some history in our apartment! *nervous chuckle*"
"Yeah. I probably shouldn't have said nothin'."

Wow. Something tells me Wilson would have never said that.

And the "Stupid Award" goes to....

ME!

Lately, I have been trying hard to improve my cooking skills...or lack thereof. I've tried a new recipe almost every night since the beginning of June. Some turn out great, most are just OK, and some make me realize my IQ just isn't what it used to be.

Take today, for example.

We had leftover chicken and a chicken carcass (from last night's new recipe attempt). My mom used to always make AMAZING chicken soup by soaking a chicken carcass in water for hours, adding veggies and spices which would result in a great broth. I decided since I was going to be home all day, I would give it a try. I soaked my carcass in water. I added garlic, basil, onions, pepper, and all that fun stuff that makes food look better. I made sure to boil it, then simmer, then stir, then repeat (This was going to be, like, THE broth). After several hours of babysitting my broth, and feeling proud of myself for making my creation for the first time, it was time to drain the broth of the chicken, so I grabbed a strainer and poured all my chickeny goodness into it.....then I realized I forgot to a BOWL under the strainer. ALL of my broth went down the sink. It happened so fast, I didn't even realize that I had done until it was over. I just stared at the crap in the strainer...the only stuff left from my morning of toil.

Well...I guess it's box macaroni and cheese for us tonight.

Fiiiiiiiiinally!!

We fiiiiiiinally got our pictures from our photographer. Check out some of my favorites! (And sorry, there are several kissing ones....)




The rest are in an album on facebook (for real this time!)

Sleeping with Lizards...

So about three minutes ago....

I was in our livingroom on my laptop while Jordan was napping in the bedroom. I heard him slowly stumbling down the hall and started up this conversation:

Jordan: Charity? (his sister's name)

Me: (laughing) Did you just call me Charity?

Jordan: Yeah...I started to, but I ...yeah.

*pause*

Jordan: Um, I wanted to ask you...uh, no. never mind. I think I...I think I'm dreaming. *walks back to the bedroom*

Me: *thinking there's NO WAAAAAY I'm letting him off that easy. This sounds too potentially entertaining* Wait! Jordan! What? What did you want to ask me?

Jordan: I thought I saw lizards in our bed, So I just wanted to ask you why you put lizards in our bed.

uh...huh.

That reminds me of another amusing Jordan slumber anecdote:

This little number happened after we had only been married about 4 days, I believe. I woke up in the middle of the night to a giddy Jordan. He was smiling and giggling, only his eyes were closed. Then he muttered something that sounded like, "heehee theresoundinglalalaROBOTS!" I turned over and asked, "What, Honey?" to which Jordan, still sleeping, turned to me, cupped my ear with his hands and whispered ,"They are talking like robots over there! heehee!"

Sure they are, Jordan. Sure they are.

He claims that I talk in my sleep too, but he has yet to back this up with any evidence, or even slightly amusing stories. He just says, "I can't remember what you say!" Well, maybe it was the lizard talking.

Freebies!!

Have you been sitting aroung wandering, "Hey, I want free stuff!" (That's usually how I start my morning off). Go to glidden.com and get a free quart of paint! You can get one until July 2. I picked Sexy Pink for mine. I have no idea what I will use it for, but it was so pretty!

go. Go. GO!

An SAT question...

MYSELFis to IN SHAPE, as OKLAHOMA WEATHER is to:



A) ridiculously hot and humid

B) feels like someone is blowing a hair dryer in your face

C) makes me want to curse

D) pleasant



The correct answer is D, meaning two things; The weather here is naaaaasty, and I am NOT in shape!(Unless you count round as a shape.) Both make me want to say, "Ewww!"



Growing up, my sister and I always commented on how lots of people seemed to gain weight after they got married. Sure enough, it is happening to me and Jordan, and we have only been married a month! Since my wedding, I have put on about 8 pounds. I know that's not shocking, but that is 8 pounds that I don't need! Plus, if I put on 8 pounds this month, how many will be on my thighs byChristmas??

We mainly blame it on our honeymoon. On our cruise, we were averaging about 5000-7000 calories a day, with very minimal exercise. But we couldn't help ourselves! The food was fantastic, and the desserts were even MORE fantastic (and usually when food tastes really good, it isn't exactly light). Since our criuse, we have been eating reletively healthy foods, but my weight still has been trickling on. I think our bodies were so used to the cruise that they assume that we WANT to gain wight or something. My body probably is thinking, "Since you ate like a nasty pig for a week straight, you must be preparing for a famine or something. Here, let me pack some of these calories into your butt for you. No need to thank me!"

Another obvious change would be my exercise has gone way way down in the last month. I don't like to exercise. There, I said it. It's time consuming, it's boring, and it makes me sweaty. At BYU, I rarely intentionally exercised, but I had to walk back and forth to campus everyday, as well as walk around campus, and at my internship I had to powerwalk through those elementary school hallways all day. My body was getting at 30 minutes of walking everyday just for the sake of relocating myself. Now that I am in Tulsa, relocating myself is done by moving my feet in a slightly downward movement to push the gas pedals.

Finally, the third culprit is snacking. At school in Provo, I didn't really have time to snack. In the morning I would (sometimes) eat breakfast, eat a lunch that I packed (which usually was left over speghetti or a pb&j sandwhich) and then come home to make dinner with Jordan. Even when my meals weren't incredibly healthy, there were few of them so it balanced out. Now I spend 4 weekdays home alone doing nothing but homework, housework, and huluing. This easily leads to snacking. One day I ate at least 25 otterpops by myself!

Obviously, I don't want this to keep going. That's why I'm blogging about it. It's always good to have goals and plans in writing (but honestly,who writes anymore! This ain't the 1800's, people. psh.) so I figured posting it on my blog would allow witnesses as well. haha. I don't think I am FAT, I just want to stop gaining weight. I want to go back to what I was before the weight gain. I also have been "trying to lose wight" since I was about 15. It's something that I always think about,but never stick with fully. That's usually because I take drastic measures, like taking out all sweets from my diet or saying I'll exercise everyday (yeah, right...). I also have unrealistic goals, such as getting a six pack or completely fat tummy. I've come to terms that my body is curvy and with that comes slightly curvy hips and stomache. I've decided that if I am going to lose wight, I need to set a realistic program for myself that I will actually keep. And heeeere it is!

SONJA'S 10 LB KICK OFF!
From now until August 1st, I will:

1) I will exercise three times a week for 30 minutes. (...yay...)

2) I will continue to use light/fat free everything when possible (I do this already, but its good to have an objective that I know I will stick to.)

3) I will only have ONE helping of food per meal/snack. This one I think will help alot. Jordan and and I both have a habit of over eating. My family knows that I am notorious for eating so much that I have to lie on the couch and moan. Not anymore! For dinner, I will only have one plate of food! So what if I'm not "full" afterwards. As long as I am not hungry, that is what matters. I think as Americans, we think you should either be hungry or full- we forget about the nice middle state of not being hungry. I think this objective will be good for me, because it doesn't stop me from eating food that I love, but it allows me to cherish it. This will go for snacks too. With my guilty pleasure Flaming Hot Cheetos, instead of grabbing the grab and pigging out, I will place a portion in a bowl and eat them. When the bowl is empty, no more cheetos. I think that this will be good training for me not to overeat, as well as not to snack without thinking.

So that's the plan. I know this blog is pretty unexciting, but I was just thinking about it today and really wanted to do something about it. If anyone wants to join me on the three objectives, feel free to!

I already began my kick off by running* (*jogging at the speed of an old woman using a walker) outside for 3 miles. We live across the street from a park that has a running trail. I like it because I can't get lost on it and it's partially shady. But daaaaang, Gina it's HOT! I went at 8:30 AM and practically died of heat stroke. Ah, Oklahoma....

One Month

Jordan and I have officially been married one month! Here is an overview of our first month of marital bliss:

* Had a huge party thrown in our honor
* Stayed in a nice hotel for two days
* Flew to Tulsa, stayed in another nice hotel for two days
* had another party thrown in our honor
* Went on a week long cruise
*Opened tons of free presents from people
* Moved into a new apartment
* Received lots of free furniture from our family
*Went to approximately one week of school and work

This is how every month of our marraige is going to be, right?.....riiiiight?

Jamaica, Mon

For our honeymoon Jordan and I went on a Carnival cruise to Jamaica and Grand Cayman of the Cayman Islands. We were sup-POSED to go to Cozumel, Mexico too but thanks to the lovely Swine flu, that port was canceled. The trip was wonderful- we got tan and gained about 6 pounds each! haha.

The ship that we went on was called the Carnival Conquest. It was an amazing ship! The interior of the ship was based off of different artists, there were TONS of places to go, there was a waterslide and three pools, and yes, the food was amazing!

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday: "Fun on the Ship"
You may think three days stuck on a boat would get boring, but the first three days were so much fun! Each morning (after our HUGE breakfast buffet) we were given an agenda of all the activities and shows happening on the boat for that day. The entertainment on the cruise was great! There was a comedian, a hairiest man contest (SO funny!), karaoke, and more! Each night, there was a big show for everyone to attend. One night it was a Motown singer, another night it was a magician, and also a ventriloquist...it was so cool!

Wednesday: Montego Bay, Jamaica
(Warning: Sonja has no make-up on in these pictures)


We were so excited to go to Jamaica! All the excursions for Jamaica for really expensive so Jordan and I decided to go to the closest beach and then explore for a while. As soon as step off the ship, there were TONS of taxi drivers and bus drivers yelling, "You need to go to the beach? You need to go to the beach?" We must have shook our heads at one of them because next thing we know we were being lead to a little van/bus. The bus was full of tourist and one women in a uniform. We loaded us in the bus and off we went. I got to sit shotgun, which was awesome because....
It was backwards! In Jamaica, they are under the British influence so they drive on the left side of the road. It was the first time I had been in a car like that so it really cool to sit up front. I was probably annoying the driver because I kept giggling the whole time.

They dropped us off at a beach called Doctor's Cave (we later learned from a local that it was called Doctor's Cave because during Jamaica slavery times, the Jamaican "good witch" would heal lashed slaves in its water. He also told us that there was a "bad witch" but the locals killed her...rip off of Wizard of Oz, much?). Doctor's Cave was a private beach so we had to pay money to go inside. We were ok with this though, because the beach was clean and looked safe. There weren't any locals trying to sell you anything...or take your many in any other ways. The water was soooo warm. It almost felt like a bath. It was totally clear too. We loved the beach! They stayed there for three hours, swimming and sunbathing.
Though we didn't go on any excursions, we apparently got tickets to the gun show!

After we swam and relaxed at Doctor's Cave, we decided to head out and explore the town around the beach. As soon as we stepped out of the water, it started to sprinkle....then rain ....then POUR! It went from beautiful sunshine to typhoon within two minutes! Everyone on the beach started scurrying around frantically under their umbrellas. Jordan and I figured we were already wet, and the rain was actually warm , so we headed out and explored in the downpour!




While walking through town, every single car, whether or not they looked like a taxi, would either honk at us or pull over and ask if we needed a taxi. It was really different from the US where you have to go out of your way to flag down a taxi. In Jamaica, you practically have to hide from them if you DON'T want one. I'm pretty sure we got honked at at least 50 times, no joke. One taxi driver was pretty funny. He pulled over and asked if we needed to get back to the boat (they all asked that. I guess the majority of tourist in Montego Bay are cruisers) and we told him we didn't need to get back to the ship yet. He then said, "It's ok, I'll wait for you!" We told him that we would need to return to the ship for several hours, to which he gave us his business card and said, "whenever you need to get back to the ship, you call me and I will pick you up!" Uh, yeeeeah. We will ignore the other 20 taxi cabs within the block of us, go to a phone to call you, and wait for you to pick us up, which would also make us continually shoe away all the other passing cabs. Whatever you say! haha. Needless to say, we didn't call him.

Going through town was really cool. Besides the beach and Margaritaville, there were not too many touristy places near the port, so we didn't see a single white person throughout the town. We definitely stood out. Many people were "friendly" to us, but in the end they just wanted to sell us something. Sometimes it was fruit, sometimes it was a tour of the town, but mostly they would candidly ask if we wanted weed! They would just be like, "Hey, welcome to Jamaica, mon! You need some marijuana?" yeeeeahno. Another funny thing about the locals was that every time Jordan would introduce himself, they would say, "Ah! Like Michael Jordan!" They also all say, "Respect!" randomly throughout their sentences and "Jamaica, no problem!"

Here is a picture of a local that we met who, of course, lead us to his sister's store.

Does he not SCREAM Jamaica?? I thought dreadlocks was a stereotype but SO many people had them! It was awesome!


We also saw tons of students walking home from school in their cute uniforms. I wanted to take a picture with them, but I was too shy to ask. Some of them weren't shy at all. When we were passing all the high school kids, the boys would say things like, "Hello, baby!" to me (right in front of Jordan!! No shame!) and some of the girls would make flirty hissing sounds at Jordan and start giggling. One group of teens walked passed us and said, "Hello, white people!"

Finally, another cool ting about Jamaica was how tropical it was. We were walking down the road and there would be fruit trees growing everywhere. It was soooo green and pretty- aside from all the trash. And an hour after the pouring rain started, it was sunny all over again!

Thursday: Grand Cayman, Cayman Island

Grand Cayman was 100% different from Jamaica. Instead of being the only tourist in sight, I couldn't see any natives! There was no trash, the crosswalks worked (I feared for our lives when we crossed the busy streets of Montego Bay!) no one was trying to sell us anything. I didn't even feel like I was in a different country. It felt more like a theme park, partially due to the numerous pirate statues all over the island.

It was like Pirates of the Caribbean...

Meets The Stepford Wives
The coolest thing we did in Grand Cayman was our snorkeling excursion. We went out to the Barrier Reef and saw TONS of fish. We even saw a small baracuda and some crazy looking squid. On the way to and from our excursion, we got to ride on a cool double decker boat.
The only thing that made us feel like we were actually in a different country, aside from the snorkeling and beautiful clear blue ocean water, was the wild iguanas!

Friday and Saturday: Boat days
We loved being back on the boat, where we were able to eat until we wanted to vomit (and once Jordan did, but the puke was later after the meal).
(these four plates were just my dessert alone...I know...it's AMAZING!)

We also got to tattoo watch. SO many people on the ship had tattoos, and most of them were really dumb. We was everything from wings tattooed on shoulder blades, a huge bugs bunny down the arm, and lots of stupid barbed wire bands. This one lady I sat next to had tons of stupid little tattoos all over her body. This was one of them:

I'm not 100% against people getting tattoos. I just think people reeeeaaally need to think things through before heading to the parlor. Yeesh!

Overall, the trip was an A+. I would recommend a cruise to anyone! Jordan and I want to go on more cruises. Family reunion, anyone??

For moer pictures, you can check my facebook. I'll be posting them soon...ish. Sigh. Being a housewife is hard work! haha.

And just like that...it's over

If you could all look to the right of this blog..yes, our countdown...you will see that it reads 00:00:00:00. Which means.....JORDAN AND I FINALLY GOT HITCHED!! It was an amazing day! The weather was beautiful! Bright sunny skies, in the mid 70's....ah! Everyone looked so amazing in their uniforms- I mean bridal party attire. The reception was lovely! All was well. For those of you who didn't attend, or those who want to relive its glory, here is a recap of: THE WEDDING, Sonja style (Jordan was there too).

We can start on Thursday, May 14th. I was able to go to the temple with my family. Those who went with me were my parents, Jordan, his parents, and Sister McMullin, my old young womens president who I LOVE! The experience was very unique and special.

Thursday night was my bachelorette par-tay! Deanna and Aleeza, my best friends from high school, started the night by taking me to Gean Jaurez (ooh lala) to get my nails done. The lady obviously did a good job because the nails are still on over two weeks later. After that, we went back to my house where I got a first class strip dance from Deanna's little brother Dennis. It was a little bizarre as I have known Denniz since he was in 6th grade! haha. Don't worry- he only got down to khakis and a "I love Sonja" wife beater. After that "event" we met up with more friends for a delicious fondue dinner/dessert at the Melting Pot! Awwww!

We ended the party at Chopsticks. Its this awesome dueling piano bar. The pianists were sooo fun to listen to. We even got on stage and danced for a few numbers...Baby Got Back= Deanna and Sonja shaking their money maker. I was also showered with beautiful and delicious virgin drinks. The night was a great way to end my single life! Thanks, lay-days!!!!

Friday, May 15th was work day! We got up and headed to the church to decorate.

The beginning:

The end:

Its not the best picture but you get the idea. We made a low hanging ceiling and put up a backdrop. In the end, the only thing that looked like a gym was the basketball lines on the floor.

Saturday, May 16th....THE WEDDING!

Our debut as husband and wife:


This isn't a very good picture but it shows off the back of my dress!
This one shoes off the bubble hem of my dress....and my shoes. ...and my cute husband.
My cute little flower girls: my nieces Erica and Lovi
After the wedding, we had a tasty luncheon. I don't have pictures of that yet, but I will soon. We had a photographer at the temple grounds and luncheon and I am itching for her pictures!!

That night, we had our reception. It was wonderful! How cool is it to have a huge party just for you?? haha

Our cake:

My dad and I during our daddy-daughter dance. If anyone knows my dad, they know that a simple slow dance wouldn't cut it. Instead, we did a goofy half swing/half jazz dance to the Elvis song "Blue Suede Shoes". It was embarassing, but good. :)


After my dance with my dad, Jordan and I danced to Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight". It was a little awkward because everyone was staring at us quietly. I think they were expecting something exciting like my dance with my dad. Sorry!
I will have more pictures on facebook, so can check my photo album there. I will be adding more once I get my photographer's pictures also.

It was such a great day and night. I am so thankful for my family and friends who were so helpful. Since the end of December, not an hour went by when I wasn't think about wedding stuff. During my last semester of BYU, my notebooks also had wedding "to do" lists in the margains. It feels so nice not to think about it anymore. I love driving past a Michaels and NOT thinking, "Oh I should go in there and see how much their ribbon is!" Ahhhh.

Jordan and I have been married 2 weeks now. We got back from our wonderful honeymoon (pictures coming soon) and just signed on a apartment to rent (pictures will be taken). Right now we are at his parents house. Jordan is sleeping next to me in the lazy boy chair. It's so fun to look over at him and think, "hey, there's my husband!" Married life is neat. :)

So long, Northwest...

We are moving to Oklahoma after the wedding. Wish me luck!

A year ago, if someone told me, "Sonja, after you graduate you will go to Oklahoma for grad school, and you probably will even stay awhile after" I would've been like, "Okla-what?" and wouldn't have been able to point to it on a map....ok, I still probably can't. I'm extremely nervous to be moving away so so so far from my home and all things familiar to me... but it will be ok.

Please visit!