Summer: The Season of Doing

Wow! I can't believe how fast this month has passed.  So much has happened!  Summer weather finally hit the Puget Sound and the citizens came out of their caves homes.  L and I have enjoyed spending time with friends and discovering new places.  Thankfully I managed to do all of this without letting my grades slip.  So, I'm going to attempt a quick update on all the goings on in the life of Britt.

Disclaimer: These events are not even remotely in chronological order.  I thought about ordering them for you but then I realized I'm too lazy busy to attempt something that of that magnitude.

(1) I both started and finished the t.v. series Bones.  Well, not finished technically.  The t.v. show is still on the air, but I watched all 6 seasons available on Netflix.  Definitely got my 9 dollars worth this month. Considering my job aspirations, it's ridiculous that I haven't seen this show before!

(2) At the beginning of July, L and I went on a hike with our new friends.  They took us to Discovery Park in Seattle.  It was kind such a beautiful park, sitting right in the middle of downtown Seattle.  We were driving though busy Seattle streets and sort of just ran into the park.  The hike was great, but it served as a reminder to both L and I how badly we need to get into shape.

(3) L and I saw the new Spiderman movie.  I will say that it was definitely better than the Toby Maguire versions, but I'm not sure how much I really liked it.  Great action and well shot, but maybe I'm just not that into the Spiderman story?  L said he wasn't that much of a fan either, yet agreed it was better than the recent trilogy.  

(4) We also saw The Dark Knight Rises.  If you haven't heard about the tragedy surrounding this movie, then do a google search and pray for the victims and their families.  Also, pray for the offender and his family, something must have been very wrong for him to do something like that.  That being said, the movie was as good as I thought it would be.  Better. Phenomenal.  It definitely had a different focus than the last two movies, but excellent nonetheless.  I just love the backstory found in these movies.

(5) I finally finished painting the table!  I picked a leaf design to match the fabric on the chairs and found a perfect color match at Sherwin Williams.  I'm happy with it! 

(6) I also painted/drew two wall hangings for L's apartment.  The flower one didn't turn out as well as I wanted, but the optical illusion was well worth the effort!  

(7) I made the decision to stop doing traditional scrap-booking.  I am switching to Blurb books.  You can visit their website to see what it's all about.  I have already designed a 250 page book with pictures from my college years.  I really enjoy the ease with which I was able to create my book.  Not to mention, the whole book will only cost 70 dollars.  That's significantly less that I would have spent making the book traditionally.  

(8) On the 4th of July, L and I went to a bbq at our friends' place out in the country.  I was astounded at the fireworks sold to the public out here! Absolutely amazing stuff!  Someone also bought an American Flag floating lantern.  I felt a swell of pride when I watched it float into the night. 

(9) I finished 2 novels this month.  One was the second book in a series by Richelle Mead. The Golden Lily is about an Alchemist who cleans up after the vampires she is trying to hide from the world.  It was really a great read.  The other novel was the first in a series by Lauren Oliver.  I was told this book was similar to Hunger Games, so I thought I would give it a try.  Delirium was such a great novel about a world without love (amor deliria nervosa).  I would suggest both to anyone who enjoys fantasy/sci-fi novels.  Note: If you are going to read The Golden Lily, read the Vampire Academy series first, it is kind of lengthy, but definitely worth it.  

(10) Discovered a Hawaiian BBQ restaurant.  It was delicious.  Nothing more needs to be said.  So good!

(11) Had another cookout with friends. This weather is just amazing.  And it's the perfect temperature at night!  Our hosts started a fire and it felt like we were camping!  Notice the blue and green flames pictured below.  I can't wait to find some of the coated pine-cones our hosts used to do that! 

(12) I was diagnosed with trigger finger.  I got it from typing too much.  I thought it was a valid excuse to stop doing schoolwork, the professors didn't buy it though.  Now every time I write a paper (or a blog) I have to ice my finger! Ugh!  I guess it's better than a ruptured tendon! 

(13) L and I bought our wedding rings.  No, we aren't engaged.  L hasn't met my parents yet, so until that happens (November can't come fast enough), we will remain boyfriend/girlfriend.  However, the second he proposes, I'm gonna stop calling him Ludwig and just refer to him as fiance.  Serves him right for making me wait so long!  Back on track, we got matching titanium rings.  Thankfully I can wear titanium (even with my allergy) so we don't have to resort to platinum.  

(14) We discovered a park in Mukilteo by the lighthouse.  L and I rode our bikes down there after watching Spiderman (I told you these posts weren't in order).  We watched a beautiful sunset and just sat and talked.  It's really refreshing to slow down and just BE with L sometimes.  

(15) L and I went to a Mariner's game with some friends.  The game was actually quite exciting, I actually jumped and shouted when the Mariner's made the winning run in OT.  We had nosebleed seats but the experience was well worth it!  Especially because it was L's first baseball game! 

(16) My nephew was born!!!  June 28, 2012!  So happy for my sister and brother-in-law!  I can't wait to meet my nephew in November! L and I went out that night to celebrate!!! 

(17) This. 

That's it all I want to post for now.  Next month won't be AS eventful, but I will be posting updates about my aunt and uncle's house purge.  I will be spending the better part of August in Portland helping them get rid of some lots of their stuff! 

Thanks for reading! 

How Do You Love?

Gary Chapman wrote a best-selling book called The Five Love Languages.  I'm sure a lot of you have read it, however, if you haven't, you should.  If you aren't a big reader, there is a website you can visit.  You can even take an assessment/quiz in order to discover your own love language.  

I have heard a few people say that they don't really believe in the whole love language thing.  While I'm not sure what their reasoning is for not "believing" in it, but I want to tell you my reasons FOR believing and trusting in these languages.  

Most of you know that I have a big family.  I'm not really sure the word big fully describes it.  Including the spouses of my siblings, my parents are at 10 kids and counting.  Through the many years of fights, laughter, joy, and apologies, I have seen our love languages work first hand.  Based on my experiences with my siblings (and a little insight from my mother), I have formed a few guesses about my family's love languages.  These are by no means the end all be all for my family members, but just what I have experienced. 

Mom-Acts of service

Rusty- Words of Affirmation

Izzy- Gifts

Breezy- Gifts

Jon- Acts of service

Ray- All of them (he seems pretty well-rounded in this area)

Claudia- Gifts

Brandon- Acts of service

Bailey- Words of Affirmation

Bryce- Quality Time

Becker- Quality Time

Knowing how each of my family members gives and receives love, I am able to tailor my love for them.  Maybe spend a little extra time picking out gifts for Izzy, Breezy and Claudia or go out of my way to do something special for Mom, Jon and Brandon.  

I left Physical Touch off of my list for my family members because I think that is a love language that is more likely to change based on your relationship.  A lot of people use physical touch as a love language more with their spouse/significant other than other people.  

I know this post has been a little disjointed, but my main point is this:  Knowing your spouse's/boyfriend's/girlfriend's/brother's/sister's/mother's/father's love language can significantly change your relationship (for the better) with them.  

Ludwig and I have taken this information and improved ours!  Ludwig's love language is physical touch (this is true with me and his family members), it is way high up on his list.  My love language on the other hand, is Words of Affirmation.  I love to be told that I'm doing a good job, or that I'm loved, or I've made someone proud or happy.  Now that we know this about each other, we provide each other with that form of love.  I give him kisses on the cheek to let him know I love him and he says those 3 little words to me.  We have also taken it a step further.  If Ludwig needs a little lovin', he will ask me for a kiss.  If I need a little reassurance, I will ask him to tell me how much he loves me!  It sounds cheesy, but it really works!  We both feel ridiculous amounts of love!  

So let me just say this, don't knock it til you try it.  Why don't you take the quiz and find out what your love language is?  It can't hurt!  And I'm telling you, it will really help! 

Not So Boring After All

I make a post talking about how routine my life is, and all of sudden stuff happens.

First, our friends told us about this unique sushi place in the next town over.  The sushi is on small plates attached to a conveyor belt.  When something you want passes your table, you take it off the belt and eat!  The plates are color coded so that you know how much you are spending as you eat.  We had such a good time!  We even went back recently to experience it all over again!

The next day I went on a great ride with my dad and watched MIB 3.  I'm not gonna say that you have to go see the movie, but it was definitely better than I expected!  The end was really eye-opening!

During the week I went to The Ceramic Place and finished the project I started back on my anniversary!  Below you will see a picture of my inspiration, my finished project (before it was put in the kiln), and the fully finished product (after the fire).  Do you think I did a good job replicating my inspiration?

I also started and finished a project I found on Pinterest.  It didn't turn out as well as I would have liked, but not bad for a non-artist!

I have the next week off of school (that's our measly little break between quarters), so hopefully more projects will get finished!!!

Excuses

People have been asking me why I haven't blogged lately.  So, I'm gonna tell you, honestly.  I'm not gonna say that I have been too busy, or that I keep meaning to but haven't gotten around to it.  Honestly, the reason I haven't blogged recently is because... are you ready for it?  You sure?

Okay, it's because my life is boring!

I'm sure a few of you chuckled at that, others might have actually laughed, and I at least got a smile out of the rest.  But... I'm serious.  A normal day consists of school work, eating, working out and sleeping.  And a non-normal day consists of school work, eating, working out, running an errand(!!!), and sleeping.  Take a moment and be thankful that your life is more exciting than that.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining.  I could change this pattern if I wanted to.  However, Ludwig and I are hoping to get married (soon), so every little expense we don't have is money saved for the wedding!  I'm also trying to make sure I keep my grades up this last year of school.  I messed up my senior year at NCSU by trying to do too much all at once and my grades slipped so much that I couldn't get financial aid to go to school anymore! And since PSU has 5 week courses instead of the 10 I was used to at NCSU, I'm kicking my butt to get good grades as it is, without any extra distractions.

I do have some fun though.  I LOVE spending time with Ludwig.  We have so much fun together!  Even if it is just the short drive to the gym, or sitting in his apartment watching TV or reading (while he plays Diablo 3).  I love his crazy sense of humor and he is always concerned with my well-being, making sure I'm enjoying myself.  We also have a few friends here that we like to spend time with as well.

So while my life is relatively stable and simple at the moment, I thought I should update my friends and family on a goal I have been working toward.  50 pounds of weight loss!  I'm not sure why, but just in the past year and a half I have gained 40 of those 50 pounds.  It's probably the West Coast, it's making me fat.
Ludwig is also working on a lofty goal of the same type, he is aiming for 100 pounds of weight loss!  Currently he is 14 pounds down from a high of 305 and I'm 7 pounds down from a high of 201.  (I can't believe I put that weight up there, but it serves as a reminder that I can never be that heavy again!)

We have been working toward our goals for just shy of 2 months now.  We have pictures of us at our highest weight, but I'm going to wait to post those until we have reached our goals (or at least come really close) and I have 'after' pictures as well.

We are monitoring our diets and working out 4 days a week (5 days every once in a while).  AND I have recently added Zumba workouts to the routine.  Since I'm paying for access to the classes, I might as well use them, right?  My friend Megan (whose blog about losing weight can be found here) has attended them with me, so I have a Zumba buddy!  That is something I'm very grateful for, because if it were up to me.... there is NO way I would be motivated to wear myself out like that.  So to answer the next question in your mind; no, I will not be purchasing Zumba for home use, 'cause that just ain't gonna happen!

Alright, that's enough talking for now!  I will try to keep you updated on any significant weight loss!

The Easter Egg Game

I'm beginning to think we need a new name for this game.  It is truly an epic tradition, so it needs an epic name.  If you have any ideas, leave a message in the comments and I will submit it to my family for consideration!

Alright, here we go.  There are copious pictures of our shenanigans, so I will only write small blurbs of explanation.

Brandon demonstrating the proper burping technique on Becker. 

New nose rings for all! (Also, I think Katie is a rabbit?)

Solving a Dora puzzle, I think Jon is concentrating a little too hard...

 Brandon attempting to shoot marshmallows from a gun into Katie's mouth. 

Katie attempting to catch said marshmallows. 

This was probably the funniest thing all day.  Becker reading the Easter story from the bible with a mustache!  Bailey is already cracking up off to the right there. 

The Carlton dance? 

The tango.  You can't see it in the picture, but I have a stick in my mouth, like a rose!  I was also informed afterwards that the stick I put in my mouth was the one the dogs were playing with earlier. 

Katie giving the doggies a kiss! 

*Gasp* Brandon, you are a married man! 

I wonder if Jon gives good back-rubs?  Brandon seems to be enjoying it... 

No one thought he could do this.  But Chris managed to jump through that hoop (while turning it over his head/body) 10 times in a row without messing up! 

I was off doing the bidding of an egg during this part, but I think Chris is telling Becker why he loves her despite the mustache! 

Those with extra facial features posing for a picture! 

The tried and true sing a love song to Rusty! 

There is video of this somewhere.  Bryce and Jon are now conjoined twins that have to hop around the circle 3 times.  

Sadly, this was not done because an egg said to.  Bryce decided to eat all the sugar from candy dipper all at once.  I'm not sure why I said sadly though, it was pretty funny! 

Brandon!  What has gotten into you!  You can't propose to me!  You are married! 

That is so gross, I have nothing to say about that. 

This is even worse... 

Awww, so sweet!  Bryce is helping Katie blow her nose! 

A few videos for your enjoyment! 

Best video of Chris ever.  

I love the very end of this video... he drops the toy like its a creepy crawly. 

Please feel free to use this content to embarrass my family as much as you want!