Sunday, December 25, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Happy Christmas Eve!!
Although I am excited for it to be here. This year, Jonathan & I are spending Christmas in Rupert & New Years in Burlington (Washington) with his family. But here are my top 5 favorite things we've done this Christmas season:
1. Engagement photos! Even though we're still not technically engaged, we are trying to stay on the ball with wedding planning & preparations. So we met up with Cindy at Lake Walcott on Thursday. We got lucky it was good weather because pictures were either Thursday or Friday, with no wiggle room due to flying all over the place. But even though we avoided snow & the light was good, it was freezing!! By the end, I swear I was wondering if I would have any toes left for the honeymoon. But we had a blast. Cindy is so great to work with! I'm so glad she came out of wedding-photography-retirement for me. I suppose that's one of the perks of being best friends with her two daughters :)
2. Speaking of the honeymoon...Jonathan finally let me in on the secret of where he's taking me. It was cute, too, because he had it all planned out how he would tell me. Before we started, he said, "I'm really thirsty. I'm going to grab some water. Do you want some?" Them he ran upstairs & came back down with a particular delicious brand of bottled eater...in a square container...yep you guesssed it...Fiji water. I'm going to Fiji for my honeymoon!!! Can you believe it?! But of course, I didn't actually catch on for a bit. Anyway, we will first go to the main Fijian island & stay at a resort called Vanawatu. Honeymoon bure, 5 nights. Then we'll travel to one of the outlying islands & stay at a resort called Matingi. We'll be in a beachfront bure for 7 nights. I still am a little in shock about this amazing honeymoon destination.
3. Holiday treats. Although I may be 5 lbs heavier after the holidays, it's hard not to indulge when the food is so tasty.
4. Oklahoma double date. Jonathan & I went out with Ryan & Jo, fellow Air Force friends who are currently in Enid (Well, Ryan is. Jo is in Dallas. Long distance engagement as well.) also. So we planned a double date to Oklahoma City. We went shooting at a range. Jonathan has a handgun & we rented a revolver. It was a blast. Jo totally murdered her target. I think she missed 1 shot out of two clips of 8 shots each. I was a respectable marksman, as long as the target was at no further than about 20 feet. Afterward, we got sushi & watched the new Sherlock Holmes (amazing). Then we returned home, lit a fire & whipped out some marshmallows, hot chocolate & Christmas tunes. Nothing better :)
5. Present opening. Although this is yet to come, I love opening presents. Although I actually enjoy watching the family open their presents more than I enjoy opening my own. Can't wait to begin with our traditional Christmas Eve pajamas.
Hope you all have a fabulous Christmas!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Happiness Project
Ha, I'm so terrible at writing often, so whenever I do get on I feel guilty that it has been so long. Oh well.
I'm currently reading a WONDERFUL book called The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin. The back cover reads:
"Gretchen Rubin had an epiphany one rainy afternoon in the unlikeliest of places: a city bus. 'The days are long, but the years are short,' she realized. 'Time is passing, and I'm not focusing enough on the things that really matter.' In that moment, she decided to dedicate a year to her happiness project. In this lively and compelling account, Rubin chronicles her adventures during the twelve months she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific research, and lessons from popular culture about how to be happier. Among other things, she found that novelty and challenge are powerful sources of happiness; that money can help buy happiness, when spend wisely; that outer order contributes to inner calm; and that the very smallest of changes can make the biggest difference."
I would highly recommend this book to all my friends & family. Reading this book has caused me to look at my life from a different perspective, to appreciate little things, to change some of my behaviors. I usually read one chapter each day I have a chance to read (which is a little less often than I would like, because my life is fairly busy right now). But I think it has been nice to read it slowly...it gives me more time to contemplate.
Anyway, I just read something very interesting that I wanted to share. I'm currently reading a chapter titled Contemplate the Heavens, in which Gretchen seeks to stretch her spirituality. In this chapter, there is a quote from a commenter on Gretchen's Happiness Project blog and is as follows:
"I work with people who--among other things--are seeking happiness. However, rather than encouraging them to model themselves on someone--a spiritual someone--I ask them to consider several persons of their own gender whom they admire. It could be a figure from history, literature, the cinema, or someone they personally know, a figure from politics, a mentor, a family member, a celebrity. It really makes no difference who it is, as long as these two or three persons are individuals that they admire.
"Once they have named those people, I ask them to identify specifically those characteristics that they admire (not their looks, please!).
"Then I tell them this (very Jungian, but very useful to know): whatever it is that they admire in these individuals (and generally the characteristics tend to coincide for all the people they have mentioned) is something that is nascent in themselves, but that they have not yet brought into being.
"That--the fact that it is still in the nascent and unrecognized stage in themselves--is the real reason why they admire it in the others. Once they have begun to bring these characteristics forth in themselves, they will begin to admire something different in others, in order to continue the cycle of growth into inner freedom and happiness.
"Knowing what you admire in others is a wonderful mirror into your deepest, as yet unborn, self."
This has caused me to reflect on people I admire and some of their traits. I admire my mother-in-law-to-be, for her generosity & thoughtfulness. I admire Emma Watson (yes, Hermione!), for her unwillingness to conform to the role of the stereotypical Hollywood sweetheart & her grace, class & style. I admire Megan Jean for her adventurous spirit & her ability to make do with what she has.
Who do you admire? What traits do you hope to someday embody?
Well, until next time--which, who knows, may be a while :)
Erin
I'm currently reading a WONDERFUL book called The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin. The back cover reads:
"Gretchen Rubin had an epiphany one rainy afternoon in the unlikeliest of places: a city bus. 'The days are long, but the years are short,' she realized. 'Time is passing, and I'm not focusing enough on the things that really matter.' In that moment, she decided to dedicate a year to her happiness project. In this lively and compelling account, Rubin chronicles her adventures during the twelve months she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific research, and lessons from popular culture about how to be happier. Among other things, she found that novelty and challenge are powerful sources of happiness; that money can help buy happiness, when spend wisely; that outer order contributes to inner calm; and that the very smallest of changes can make the biggest difference."
I would highly recommend this book to all my friends & family. Reading this book has caused me to look at my life from a different perspective, to appreciate little things, to change some of my behaviors. I usually read one chapter each day I have a chance to read (which is a little less often than I would like, because my life is fairly busy right now). But I think it has been nice to read it slowly...it gives me more time to contemplate.
Anyway, I just read something very interesting that I wanted to share. I'm currently reading a chapter titled Contemplate the Heavens, in which Gretchen seeks to stretch her spirituality. In this chapter, there is a quote from a commenter on Gretchen's Happiness Project blog and is as follows:
"I work with people who--among other things--are seeking happiness. However, rather than encouraging them to model themselves on someone--a spiritual someone--I ask them to consider several persons of their own gender whom they admire. It could be a figure from history, literature, the cinema, or someone they personally know, a figure from politics, a mentor, a family member, a celebrity. It really makes no difference who it is, as long as these two or three persons are individuals that they admire.
"Once they have named those people, I ask them to identify specifically those characteristics that they admire (not their looks, please!).
"Then I tell them this (very Jungian, but very useful to know): whatever it is that they admire in these individuals (and generally the characteristics tend to coincide for all the people they have mentioned) is something that is nascent in themselves, but that they have not yet brought into being.
"That--the fact that it is still in the nascent and unrecognized stage in themselves--is the real reason why they admire it in the others. Once they have begun to bring these characteristics forth in themselves, they will begin to admire something different in others, in order to continue the cycle of growth into inner freedom and happiness.
"Knowing what you admire in others is a wonderful mirror into your deepest, as yet unborn, self."
This has caused me to reflect on people I admire and some of their traits. I admire my mother-in-law-to-be, for her generosity & thoughtfulness. I admire Emma Watson (yes, Hermione!), for her unwillingness to conform to the role of the stereotypical Hollywood sweetheart & her grace, class & style. I admire Megan Jean for her adventurous spirit & her ability to make do with what she has.
Who do you admire? What traits do you hope to someday embody?
Well, until next time--which, who knows, may be a while :)
Erin
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Trips & Fall Weather
HELLO! It's been so long...
Here's what happened since I last posted...
And things I don't have pictures of...
Jonathan got a rib contusion training in the centrofuge, so our arrival date in North Carolina has been delayed until January sometime. It's killing me to wait...
Jonathan came and visited Idaho, too. Such a good time :)
And my cousin is getting married next weekend! Can't wait to go down and see Michelle, Jody, Tracy & other beloved relatives.
Hmmm...I'm trying to remember if that covers everything. If not, hopefully I'll be good and remember to post & update soon.
Love you all!
Erin
Here's what happened since I last posted...
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| Oklahoma State Fair...we bought a tempurpedic mattress...mmm so comfy! |
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| Trip to Washington...Jonathan lives about 2 hours north of Seattle |
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| Whale watching cruise around the San Juan Islands...SUCH a good day :) |
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| Whale...one of many we saw |
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| At the Seattle Zoo aviary...Jonathan & his youngest sister, Celci |
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| A lot of these birds reminded me of Ariel & Lindsey...remember the time I shared a popsicle with one of your birds? |
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| Jonathan rented a little Cesna & took me flying over the San Juans...such a beautiful place to fly |
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| Mt Rainier...SO BEAUTIFUL! I love Washington. |
And things I don't have pictures of...
Jonathan got a rib contusion training in the centrofuge, so our arrival date in North Carolina has been delayed until January sometime. It's killing me to wait...
Jonathan came and visited Idaho, too. Such a good time :)
And my cousin is getting married next weekend! Can't wait to go down and see Michelle, Jody, Tracy & other beloved relatives.
Hmmm...I'm trying to remember if that covers everything. If not, hopefully I'll be good and remember to post & update soon.
Love you all!
Erin
Friday, September 9, 2011
It's the end of the summer
September 9...where did the summer go!? I can tell you there were some good times in there. Redecorating 2 bedrooms (one in which my mom gave me free range to design & make all the decisions), work work working, hanging out with [great] old friends, competing in Miss Idaho (yet again), visiting Dallas (first time, but only for a short weekend), falling in love :) Oh, what a crazy summer it has been! And I am excited to announce to those who don't already know (which, I'm not really sure how many that is, because I think most of you who read my blog probably already do know...), I will be moving to North Carolina around the end of this month. Goldsboro. Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. Apparently there is a joke in that name. But I can't believe it & can't wait!
Anyway, time to get off the computer & go do something fun!
Anyway, time to get off the computer & go do something fun!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Running. running. running.
Who would have thought that I could enjoy running? Certainly not I! I have always loathed the prospect. I have always had side cramps. I have always breathed so heavily that my throat would start to taste like blood. Okay, maybe that last bit was more than you wanted to know :) But what's the deal!? None of that is true anymore! I sort of look forward to it everyday, actually. And I never get side cramps anymore...I was actually reading an article about running in a fitness magazine the other day & read that if you have poor posture while running, that is what can cause side cramps. So apparently my running posture has improved :)
So I run around my neighborhood most evenings now. And my neighborhood is very conveniently sized for running...we have two loops in our neighborhood and the larger is 2/3 mile & the smaller is 1/3 mile. Perfect, no? Although, I just downloaded a new app called RunKeeper (at the recommendation of Paula...a work friend) & it makes me excited to try new running routes. I've always stuck to my neighborhood because I want to know how far I've run. But now I can venture anywhere and it will tell me how far I've run!!! Not to mention it keeps track of your speed & you can program it to do intervals and such. All in all, a very helpful tool for a runner, I think :)
Anyway, I feel like I'm rambling...probably partly because I'm sleepy. So muah, muah! Love you all!
Erin
So I run around my neighborhood most evenings now. And my neighborhood is very conveniently sized for running...we have two loops in our neighborhood and the larger is 2/3 mile & the smaller is 1/3 mile. Perfect, no? Although, I just downloaded a new app called RunKeeper (at the recommendation of Paula...a work friend) & it makes me excited to try new running routes. I've always stuck to my neighborhood because I want to know how far I've run. But now I can venture anywhere and it will tell me how far I've run!!! Not to mention it keeps track of your speed & you can program it to do intervals and such. All in all, a very helpful tool for a runner, I think :)
Anyway, I feel like I'm rambling...probably partly because I'm sleepy. So muah, muah! Love you all!
Erin
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Miss Idaho!
It's coming! Every day that goes by, I think One day closer to Miss Idaho. One less day to prepare. Ahhh!! I'm so excited though.
My piano piece is coming along nicely...still working on getting it up to speed & perfecting the dynamics & transitions. I'll post a video sometime.
I've started tanning. Terrible for the skin, but it sure looks good on stage :) Not to mention it's nice to have for the summer.
Figuring out wardrobe, watching the news, practicing interview skills, etc, etc.
One of the final preparations is selling ads for the Miss Idaho program book (for scholarship money & to determine contestant position) & raising money for the Children's Miracle Network. This year I have to raise $350. Sooo...all you readers, if you can, I'd love if you could donate! Even just a dollar or two helps! The link to my donation page is https://missamericaforkids.org/m.aspx?i=11221A61B6DD74. Thanks in advance!
Hopefully I'll have pictures & video to post so you can see my wardrobe & talent piece soon.
Erin
My piano piece is coming along nicely...still working on getting it up to speed & perfecting the dynamics & transitions. I'll post a video sometime.
I've started tanning. Terrible for the skin, but it sure looks good on stage :) Not to mention it's nice to have for the summer.
Figuring out wardrobe, watching the news, practicing interview skills, etc, etc.
One of the final preparations is selling ads for the Miss Idaho program book (for scholarship money & to determine contestant position) & raising money for the Children's Miracle Network. This year I have to raise $350. Sooo...all you readers, if you can, I'd love if you could donate! Even just a dollar or two helps! The link to my donation page is https://missamericaforkids.org/m.aspx?i=11221A61B6DD74. Thanks in advance!
Hopefully I'll have pictures & video to post so you can see my wardrobe & talent piece soon.
Erin
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Good Day
What a fabulous day! The weather was beautiful (I walked around soaking up the sun, although I'm hoping it was unnecessary and that the beautiful weather will continue)! Ryan and I signed a contract for the place we will be living this summer & next year. It's got hardwood floors & a balcony! So excited. Finally, Ryan bought an Xbox 360! She got it from some guy off craigslist who's having a baby in a couple months & therefore selling it. We now have Rock Band, 3 Call of Duty games, Halo, basketball & hockey. I'm so excited! And now we're watching What About Bob :) What a fun day.
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