Finals, House, New Job, Summer

One of the First of many picture of our house.

Colbert with Gurk

I have been MIA. Not really but it pretty much feels that way.

Finals Weeks (yes weeks) create a blur.

Took a break from school work to go and see the house. Taking friends Jeff and Shasta to the Airport they went to Puerto Rico. I baked my last treat for Studio, a bitter sweet feeling, FINISHED Studio after crazy sleepless nights, with computer battles, printer gremlins and the Lord reminding me to have faith. A presentation for my Contemporary Theory class on shared backyards, A Celebration with classmates at Red Iguana. A 55 page book and presentation with my group for Officer Circle House 614, Historic Preservation. Finishing my responsibilities as a TA for the great Professor Martha. Pausing to order a cake for Dugan’s Birthday and taking a minute to celebrate the day. (more this weekend) By the hair of my chinny-chin-chin submitting my 23 page modernism paper at Midnight. What a Semester. I think this is my BEST so far. This semester was different because a third of my classmates were in Bluff, Utah building a house on the Indian reservation. My studio seemed full of great chill people who helped one another. (very different then the usual, uneasy Competition feel). I learned so much and am proud of my Studio design and accomplishments. Although I am sad it is over and as hard as school is I LOVE it. Summer is here greeting me with change and newness.

Monday May 9th, 2011

FIRST DAY AT a REAL ARCHITECTURE FIRM Yes Ladies and Gentleman your little Charlotte is growing up. She has gone out and got herself a Big Girl job. Actually for the most part it is usually a big boy job. Today I start me new job at MHTN. In Hight school I worked at PacSun a retailer in the mall for 3 weeks around Christmas. In College I worked at a Bakery for 6 weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Was pretty much offered a job at Victoria’s Secret when picking up lotion for my Europe trip back in April of 2004 and have been there ever since. I love working for such a great company. Limited Brands is Awesome. The past two summers I have taught the Youth Architecture classes at the University. Last summer I was a a councilor for Club U, the Universities youth camp. This semester I was chosen by one of my favorite teachers to be her T.A. For my Birthday I decided it was time to find a job doing what I truly love (Architecture). With blessings and prayers I got a job at the Firm that had sponsored my teaching scholarship. I was hired over a month ago but I didn’t want to start till school was over for the year. I haven’t had a lot of time to think about it. I have had some very nice Congratulations but I am super nervous. I have never had a desk job. How does a person sit for hours on end at the desk working. I know that is what I do at school but it is just going to be VERY different then all the running around and assisting clients I do at VS. What if I have to go to the bathroom every hour, is someone going to notice and wonder why I keep leaving my desk. What if I get really sleepy. I have only fallen asleep a few times in my life in school but when sitting in front of a computer it can happen. What do I do for lunch. I am planning on taking mine with cold packs just incase it doesn’t make it to a fridge. What time is lunch, how long do I have for lunch. The lunch questions are important because I get grumpy and tired when I am hungry. What to wear. This really should have been the first thing I mentioned. I have been thinking about it for over a week now. What is my “work” style. Do I go by Charlotte or Char. What will be the first impression I leave on people. Stop! I need to stop worrying. I am the intern. They hired me knowing that I was new to all this. They will teach me what I need to know and I am sure I will make mistakes. I am learning. I am going to go in confidant and ready to listen. I maybe scared but I won’t let them know. I will be great and it will be fun. I got to work and was greeted by my classmate that is also going to be working there with me. We began to fill out paper work when the interior design intern got their. Her name is Megan and she seems very nice. On Monday’s we have office meetings. We went to the office meeting and NO JOKE today is the day they gave everyone in the firm a brand new IPAD 2. They said they had been thinking about it for awhile and think it will be a great tool we can use but that they did not belong to the company they were gifts and we are to make them personal with our own music, books, apps whatever. Everyone kept tell us three newbies that we were so luck and that everything will be down hill from here. It was really cool and it did feel like Christmas. We pretty much spent the day hanging out and talking. We did go on a tour of the office and the guy that took us around kept telling people that I sit by DC and everyone kept warning me and making jokes about how I would need earplugs when he talks on the phone to certain people. I really like DC. He is the reason I have the job. He was the one I sat next to at the scholarship luncheon last year. I feel honored to set by him. We were feeling really bad and kept asking if there was anything we could organize but everyone told us that this is how their first day was. Dugan texted and said you better not have got an ipad. I thought to myself how did he know. Apparently when 67 people at an architecture firm get ipads the word spreads fast to other firms. Dugan had been told by a coworker who use to work at the firm I work for. It was pretty cool. After work Dugan and I came home and packed and we took a trip to the house.

Tuesday May 10th

Today I went to work and I still don’t have a computer set up. I had Revit Training. But still wasn’t very predictive today. After work Dugan and I went to the apartment to pick up some stuff and take a load of stuff to the house.

Wednesday May 11th

Today I came into work and there was my new computer waiting. I get to work with this guy Tony. We were suppose to go and measure a building today but that got canceled. I learned so many things today in Autocad. I had a pole toning class with my BFF. She thought that I did an awesome job. She thinks that my job has given me a new found confidence in myself. She might be right. I really do feel wonderful. Dugan took a load to the house well I was at my class.

Thursday May 12th

Today I went to measure a building with Tony right after we got there he got a call and we had to leave to go to a meeting. My take away from the meeting was it is often more important to listen then to talk. But it was nice to talk to him the car on the way there and back. It helped break the ice a bit. I am still totally intimidated by him but he seems nice enough. After the meeting went with the client to Firehouse Subs for lunch. It was fun. After work Dugan and I took another load to the house and we started to prep the master bedroom to paint.

Friday May 13th

I made it through my first full week at the firm and loved every minute of it. I am so grateful for this opportunity. After work my wonderful sister Ashten and her husband Chris came and brought us the washer and dryer we had bought from Chris’s brother. After getting them moved in and up the stairs to the laundry room we went out for sushi at Blue Fish. Yummy!! They even had Mochi Ice Cream. Then we headed back to our apartment to load up our desk and bookcase on to Ashteen and Chris’s trailer. We got done really late.

Saturday May 14th

I had work at VS at 6:00am. Then Dugan and I painted. We are painting our master bedroom. The vaulted ceiling and the main wall white. The other three a nice gray. It was a lot of work but we are such a great team. We had a really fun day working together but we were tired and our legs and backs hurt. What a great day.

Sunday May 15th

Today was the last sunday in my ward. I will miss those I have become friends with but I am excited for our new experience. My friend Crystal’s husband just became the bishop in the ward. I am sad to say goodbye. They were amazing when we needed them. After church Dugan and I went to help my sister build the desk that they had moved on Friday. They also had a load from their storage unit that I helped unload while the guys worked on building the desk. Then Dugan and I went and finished painting at the house. It has officially been ours for a month now and we haven’t even slept there yet. Soon very soon.

Monday May 16th

The weekend went way to fast. I think I might understand a little more about the whole Monday morning moaning and groaning. But not really me. I was actually excited all weekend to go back to work. I had a great weekend I just really like my job and my coworkers. I get to sit by this Wonderful women who reminds me of my mom and makes me smile. Work was good. After work Dugan and I took a load.

Tuesday May 17th

Work and then taking trips to the house.

Wednesday May 18th

Today at work I finished up what Tony needed so I worked with Todd and learned how to do finishing schedules. After work Dugan and I loaded up the cars at the apartment and then headed to the house. I watched my friend Carries kids Jimmy and Katie. They played with the box of toys in the living room since it was raining outside.

Thursday May 19th

It was a quiet day at work. Sometimes I am amazed at how long I can stay focused at work. We had free cookies. There is food brought in pretty often. I am glad that I bring my lunch to help me keep eating healthy. Dugan and I went to dream dinners. When we went to leave all I can say is Holy Hail sorry but the rain and hail is crazy. Noah he said there’s going to be a floody, floody. We had to sit in our car for a few minutes hoping the hail would stop or lighten up enough for us to get home. We were driving on water the whole way home with our wipers going crazy. We decided against going to the house today in order to not chance the driving in the rain.

Friday May 20th

Today was a good day at work. Since today was payday Dugan and I went to get our new bedding which is our house warming gift to ourselves. I love it. It is so white and fluffy. Then my sister came to help us move our tv to our house. She is so Awesome and it was great to have her help. I was so glad that the rain had gone and we were able to move it with no problem. Then Dugan and I headed back to the apartment to get everything ready for the big part of the move tomorrow.

Saturday May 21st

Today I got up extra early to try and have things ready. Dugan and I went to pick up the moving truck. I was really bugged when we got there and they told us how much it would be. We have all seen the trucks that give a low price for in town moving. Nope it was still almost $200.00. Are you kidding me? There trucks advertise 29.99 (plus tax and fees) REALLY? Oh well I guess that when you don’t really have any other options you have to do what you have to do. We had two Awesome men that came and helped us. Cory is from school and Ammon is from our old ward. The guys were so amazing and loaded the truck in less then an hour. WOW!!! Did I mention that my sister Ashten came to help and brought her sweet little guy Liam with her. She was incredible and Liam was Perfect. After the truck was loaded we headed down to the house. When we got there Ashten and I started to unload the truck while Dugan went to the post office (they had to see him and his id.) Ashten and I did a great job till things got to heavy. We had four people who told us they would be there to help us unload but with in an a few minutes they had all canceled on us. Oh no. The only real problem is, even all together Dugan, Ashten and I can’t lift the TV stand. I told my sister I didn’t know what to do. Any minute our new fridge was being delivered so we thought maybe we could get them to help and pay them some extra. They did show up and right as they were unloading the fridge two guys from our new ward came walking up and asked if we needed help. My prayers were answered within 10 minutes the truck was completely unloaded. Ashten and I had done most of it while Dugan was gone. It was much faster unloading since there weren’t three flights of stairs to tackle like at our apartment when loading. Liam was so great too. He played at the park and was so good about following directions about where he could be when we were trying to moving things so we didn’t hurt him. I love my Liam. The fridge guys got everything hooked up and there were things everywhere. Ashten gave me a pep talk that we could keep going. That we would move the boxes to the rooms they needed to be in and then we would go and get food. Our friend Jim came with his daughter Katie and helped Dugan with a few things. Then the dish guy came. Ashten and I took Liam and went and got lunch. Jim had gone home but was willing to come back and help us hook up the washer and dryer if we got the hose and clamps we needed. Ashten headed home after being my Super Hero and her little Liam too. Then the Clarks came over and we made dinner and we sat and talked while the kids came back and forth form the play ground. It was a LONG day but everything worked out. Here is where I don’t have words to describe my Husband. He was so strong and is such a hard worker. Her hardly stopped for a second the whole day. He is so amazing and I love him so much. Our friends the Clarks left and we made our bed with our new bedding. It was so comfy and I love our room. Our first night in our new house. I LOVE IT!

Sunday May 22nd

Today Dugan and I walked around the corner to our new ward. I love telling my parents that I live even closer to the church then we did when I was growing up which is pretty hard to do. I admit that the temple is a five minute drive which makes it farther then the temple was when I was growing up. It is just so fun to be able to walk to church again. Since Dugan and I have been married we have always lived to far to walk. It is was at 9:00am. I was pretty tired but Church was nice. By the time church was over it was a bit rainy outside but we were still able to walk quickly home without getting to wet. We had lunch and then I fell asleep on the couch. Then I did a little unpacking and then more resting. Then I made dinner and we spent the evening cuddling. I am not ready for the week a head. I just want to be done moving. I have been doing it for two weeks straight but at least I did exactly what I am suppose to do and took a day of rest.

Monday May 23rd

I woke up tired even after a restful Sunday but I love work and was excited to work on things. I had to go and measure a few offices at a high school. Then I came back to draw them up. Dugan and I went to the house and I scrubbed the Oven and Stove for over 2 hours. Dugan or I cook almost every night and we are pretty clean about it but we have an electric stove with the coils and so I had to lift up the range and scrub underneath. Our oven is not self cleaning and since our grill is at our friends house (since our apartment doesn’t allow us to have them) we often broil in the oven so there was some spatter spots in the oven that were pretty hard to scrub off. While I spent my hours cleaning Dugan took everything off the walls and puttied them all up along with cleaning both bathroom and pretty much the whole rest of the apartment. We went to our house where Dugan made dinner while I unloaded the boxes so we could use them the next day.

Tuesday May 24th

Work was good. Then Dugan and I headed to the apartment where we loaded up a lot of stuff. We took it back to the house and then I made dinner while Dugan unloaded the cars. As we ate I looked at the boxes that he had just brought in from the cars. I am sure that it was a miracle because there is NO WAY all that stuff fit in our two cars but it did. I was feeling blessed as we headed back in separate cars to go and load up again and then brought everything but the architecture models back to the house. WE unloaded and it was way past bedtime.

Wednesday May 25th

I love work. It was a good day. After work Dugan and I headed to the apartment to finish up the last few things. I loaded the models up in my car and then worked on cleaning the fridge and the washer machine. Dugan ran a few errands and then we were ready to head back to the house. It was a hard night. We didn’t eat till after 9:00 for the third time this week and I still had to TRY and find a few things to pack for Vegas. I had a little bit of a breaking moment. With moving boxes all over and needing to pack to go out of town and I hadn’t eaten yet I got a little overwhelmed. I finally made it to bed where I feel asleep before my head hit the pillow.

Thursday May 26th

Today I got up early to make sure everything was ready for work and stuff was packed since we were heading out to Vegas right after work. Work went well I just feel bad when I have to wait for a bit to have something else to do but I did get the book “The Help” on my ipad so I could read it on our vacation. Dugan called me to tell me that he just finished the walk through at our apartment and turned in our keys. I asked him if everything was clean enough to get $100.00 back. He said that the women said it was immaculate. I was glad to hear that our cleaning skills were so good. At work I am working on a remodel of an office space in a high school and got to a good stopping point when Dugan came to pick me up and we headed to Vegas. We stopped in Provo for dinner and then Dugan and I talked and reminisced the whole drive to Vegas. We got there a little after midnight.

Friday May 27th

Today Dugan slept in while I was reading The Help. It was nice to have nothing that I had to get up and do. I read for awhile then went back to sleep for a while. I got up and got ready to go to pick up and suprise my favorite niece Emma from school. I have been so excited to see her. We spent the day playing. I gave here her birthday present and we watched movies, made dinner, drew pictures and read books. After everyone left Dugan and I cuddled up to watch some tv. It was a good day.

Saturday May 28th

Last night I was reading my book on my iPAD before going to sleep. I feel asleep while holding my ipad. It fell on my face and hit me in the nose. It woke me up and I was confused as to what happened. I think that reading on the iPAD might be a little dangerous for me. Today was another day I woke up at 5:00am since I am use to getting up at 6:00 Utah time. I read but made sure to put down the iPAD before I got sleepy again. I went back to sleep and woke up and read again. Dugan and I decided to get up when we could hear my nephews playing outside our door. We had breakfast and then got ready to go and see Kung Fu Panda 2. It was pretty good. When we got home the guys took naps and the girls chatted and the kids played. Eventually Amanda and I decided to order sandwiches from Firehouse subs for dinner. It was pretty good and then we played and chatted some more. After Dan left with Emma and Lucus and Calbert went to to bed Amanda and I tired to watch waitress but I fell asleep after the first few minutes so I we decided to go to bed.

Sunday May 29th

Today I had a repeat of yesterday morning, reading sleeping and reading some more. It was nice for Dugan and I to sleep in. We spent the day hanging out. I got to spend some really fun time with my SIL Amanda and her handsome little guy Colbert. Dugan and I gave him a Frog Build-A-Bear for his birthday. Which he became very fond of. I love my Amanda. I always think it is fun to say that I have known her for over half her life. Wow! That is a little crazy. It was a great day. We made Salad, Pizza and Cookies for dinner. Patty flew in from being in Cali. I was SO GLAD that I got to see her before we had to go home. Patty, Amanda and I stayed up past 2:00am talking. We were all very tired but you have to embrace these type of moments. What a great day.

Monday May 30th

I spent time with some of my favorite people and we had chocolate pancakes with strawberries, raspberries, whip cream, eggs and sausage. Yummy!!! Then we played and I didn’t want to leave to come home. But it was time and there were hugs all around. I will miss my little ones because they change so much so quickly I will miss the older ones because they are my friends and I love them dearly. Dugan and I left on time and had a pretty good drive home. I drove for a few hours to let Dugan rest (he had a headache) But I really do love when he drives. In a few places it was posted 80mph. That is just to much speed under my foot. We had a short detour to drop something off with family and I was extra chatty but it was nice to stop by and then Dugan and I got home and went to bed.

Tuesday May 31st

In a funny way I was glad to be back at work. I really do Love my job. The day went fast as it always does. I walked to Dugan’s work from mine and we walked to lunch together. We usually don’t go out but since we just got back in town we didn’t have anything to take for lunch. We went to Red Iguana Express. They had great deals on their daily special which was a pork mola. It was yummy but a little to spicy. I walked back to work. After work I had a chemical peel appointment and then went to Costco for some much needed fruit and yogurt. I picked up Dugan from work. We came home and I made dinner and unpacked while Dugan worked on hanging things on the wall. I really wish I had magical powers where I could wave a wand and my stuff would just float through the air to where it belongs. A day and night of working. Good night.

Side note. A few funny things about my new place. I think my senses are on heightened alert. First off everything smells a little different. The cabinets smell a little funny, the garage smells odd. I notice EVERY little thing that is not perfect. If there is a little scratch on the wall, if something is not perfectly clean. As for touch, the carpet is longer then I am use to and it tickles my feet (since I am SUPER ticklish especially on my feet) and the real Tile is Freezing on my feet in the morning (I have slippers waiting for me by my bed to slide on). My bathroom counter is much higher then the average. I love it but it is different. Oh my goodness and the sounds. I swear my house has the oddest noises. The way the water sounds coming out of the tap in the bathroom, the shower, the dish washer the odd creaks and squeaks, the mysterious ding sound that I have discovered belongs to the dryer when it is done and it dings every five minutes till you open the door. I am sure eventually I will get use to all these funny things.

Wednesday June 1st

Wow! It is June already. I guess I better get in my summer routine. Work was great as usual. After work Dugan and I went to Bed Bath and Beyond with our coupon to look at trash cans and storage containers for the bathroom (Still not sure how to organize it). Then we came home. I made salad and Chicken pesto French bread sandwiches for dinner. More unpacking.

Thursday June 2nd

This week is Flying by. I enjoyed work. Then Dugan and I went to Costco to see if they had a trash can that we liked and we got a new bath mat. Ours needed to be retired so we got a new one. It is very soft and I am excited to have it under my feet when I get out of the shower instead of the cold, slippery tile. No luck with the trash can. At first we were looking for one that is split hal fand half for trash and recycling but we are not having much luck and the spot in the kitchen for the trash is not very big. We will keep searching. Came home and made Dill Shrimp with Angel Hair Pasta for dinner. Had nice chats with my sister and then my friend Carrie on the phone. Did a little more unpacking but ran out of desire. Enjoyed some time to read. Then to bed.

Friday June 3rd

Happy Birthday to one of my favorite girls on the planet. Happy Birthday Katierbug. I can’t believe you are three. I love you girly. Today at work I was glad that there was lots for me to do. I made my first official call to a guy at a structures office I know it isn’t a big deal but I did practice a few times before I picked up the phone and called. This is Charlotte with MHTN. (Oh I sound so la-get. I really love my job. On my lunch break I took care of my financial aid stuff (it really is a pain) Then I had a good rest of the afternoon. I have been specially working with one Architect on a few projects his phone has a ring tone that is cords on a guitar. I swear I heard it ringing but he hadn’t been there all day. I looked around trying to see who also had the same ring tone. Thirty seconds later there he is coming down the hall. I knew it had to be his phone. Funny but a little bizarre too. Then it was time for me to start my weekend and pick up Dugan. We went by wal-mart to buy a trash can. I know it shouldn’t be this hard. Then we headed home. I made parmesan chicken with garlic butter green beans and squash. I responded to a few emails that have not been answered since I haven’t had the internet for a few weeks. Then Dugan and I went to get a little treat. We tried out this cookie place called All on Top. It was okay but nothing like Ruby Snap. But it was a fun little date. We tired the Almond Joy cookie and Chocolate Andies Mint cookie. I love that we have a little treat once a week. Then we went by and got tickets for a movie for tomorrows matinee. Night tickets are to expensive and we usually try and wait till it goes to rebox but today I got the highest pay check of my life and we decided to splurge. We came home and then deiced that although it was only 8:45pm we were going to go to bed. I am so glad Dugan no longer had to lock and un lock the club house. We can go to sleep whenever we want. On that same note. Dugan has been so FUNNY. Over the past week there are a few times were he will be REALLY loud. Either he turns up the TV REALLY LOUD or talks REALLY LOUD or like today bangs the measuring spoons around in the sugar REALLY LOUD. I always give him a weird look and he always says in a LOUD voice. I live in my own house with no one above me, below me, or to the side of me. I CAN BE AS LOUD AS I WANT TO BE!!! It is really cute the way he expresses his love of being loud because he can. I don;’t think I realized how hard I tried to be quite and respectful of my neighbors. It is nice not to have to worry.

Saturday, June 4th

Today I had work at 6:00am at VS. Then I had to run a few errands and it was really nice to be able to go to the store and not be in a huge hurry. I came home and put everything away. Then Dugan and I went to the movies and then came home and made dinner and did a little un packing. We had a nice evening hanging out.

Sunday, June 5th

Today Dugan and I had church and then came home and hung out and rested. We went to our friends the Clarks house to hang out and Celebrate there sweet little girl Katie’s third Birthday. I love that cute and sweet little sassy girl. We had fun sitting outside, playing on their new tramp., and having dinner and birthday cake.. The night went way to fast and before we knew it, it was time to go home. My weekends just fly by when having all that fun.

If you got through it all you are pretty amazing. I really hope to write more often so they aren’t so long. I hope you are all doing well.

Love and Miss you all

Schools out, Still SUPER BUSY

I haven't made this private yet because I haven't had time to put in everyone's emails. SSSOOOOO finals are over, I am working at an Architecture Firm Downtown, and Dugan and I spend our nights moving are stuff to our new house in Daybreak. I thought when school was out I would get to take a breath. Nope this weekend we are Painting and next weekend is the "big" move. Life is Busy but totally Wonderful.

Going Private but you can still follow Sharona in Stilettos publicly

So my journal has been pretty personal and as much a I don't mind all my lovely friends reading it. I do mind perfect strangers. So Friendly Frehner's is going private. Sharona in Stilettos will be my public Blog where I will post my random thoughts. Please send me a message if you would like to be added and keep reading a day in the life of the Frehner's. I am sorry that I have to do this. I will go private in a few days and then I will post all the catch up of my life. There is some good stuff you wont want to miss.

Check out my Random Blog

Recently my Friendly Frehner's Blog has been taken over by more of a journal of Dugan and I. SSSooo I would love for you to be part of my Sharona in Stilettos Blog. This is where I will be posting my random thoughts and goofy ideas. If everyday life is more your style keep reading FF.

http://sharonainstilettos.blogspot.com/

Hi, Bye February

Sunday February 6th

Today was a wonderful day at church. After I got home I did a little homework and hung out with Dugan. Our friends the Clarks came over to watch the Superbowl. I also called my little sister to see what she was doing to watch the game. She didn’t have any plans so they came over too. I have a guilty pleasure that I haven’t given into for awhile. I have decided that it will be my special SuperBowl treat once a year. Can you guess.... Its Ruffle Potato Chips with Ranch Dip. I know it is horrible for you and lacks nutritional value but taste so good. When Dugan and I went by the store yesterday I bought the chips, dip and a veggie tray (a little nutrition is good). I didn’t break my fast till after 4:00pm and I was so excited to eat my chips. They were good but I think I got it out of my system for awhile. It was so fun to have my friend Carrie (and her family) and my Sister Ashten (and her family) all over at the same time. Pizza for dinner and then we made S’more cups. They were a little messy but pretty good. Dugan LOVED them. Green Bay Packers Won and everyone left. I cleaned up and hung out with Dugan. What a wonderful day.

Monday February 7th

Dugan took me to school on his way to work. I worked on my Case Studies. Then I headed to the field house. It always feels so Good to move my body. During studio we reviewed our maps and started going over case studies. After studio Dugan and I went to do our taxes. We can’t finish them till after the 14th because a few things are changing. I have noticed through taxes and financial aid that if you are in Grad school they don’t care. Once you have received your bachelors degree they don’t want to give you anything. That seems backwards your furthering your education isn’t that even better? Apparently not to them. Then we came home and I made Pub Chicken for Dinner. It’s such a comfort food dish. Then on to structures home work.

Tuesday February 8th

Today we had Bob’s and we watched a video about how to inspect an old house. Awesome, not that Dugan and I would be doing our own inspection on the house we buy but it is good to know what things to keep an eye out for. Then we worked on structures homework and were really getting stuck solving I-joist and LVL’s. Then we had Modernism. I love Architectural Theory but this class is no fun. After class we got an email from our Structures teacher that said we could go to his work office. So I run up to trax station in order to catch it so I could get home and drive my car over to his office before he had a meeting. All my other classmates had prior engagements so I went for all of us. He explained all the things we were unsure of and it worked out great. I came home and spent the next 3 hours doing the problems so I would be able to teach everyone else tomorrow morning. Dugan made dinner so I could continue to work on the structures, especially since he need to have me teach him too. Around 8 I headed to the school to meet with one of my group members to do our power point for Studio tomorrow. I was home close to 10 and ready for bed. Today did not go at all according to plan. I hope the next structures assignment isn’t as bad.

Wednesday February 9th

Today Dugan didn’t have to work so we came up to the school so I could teach everyone how to finish our Structures homework. It didn’t take that long. Then I finished up my groups power point for Studio. In studio we went over the Blue Print of Jordan River and then we meet with the Planning students to purpose our focus groups and questions. My group was the only one with a power point. We presented first and then the other groups read there info. After discussing and debating we ended up with two focus groups. Small Businesses and Youth. I went with the youth group. I think they will have some great ideas. After studio we kind of just took a break before our Structures class. Today was nice we learned last week about Trusses so this week we did a practice problem that only took an hour and a half so we were able to leave early. We got home and again I had dinner ready in less then 20 minutes. We had spinach and cheese stuffed ravioli with chicken and pesto sauce. Yummy. It was a chill night.

Thursday February 10th

Today we headed to the school even though our one class had been cancelled. We decided to get a great start on our next Structures assignment that is due in two weeks. Then we had modernism. After class I had to meet with my teacher about what I am planning on writing my 20 page paper about. I have way to many ideas so I will let you know the topic when I narrow it down. Then I headed home and got a lot done. It was a productive day.

Friday February 11th

PLAY DAY!! Well at least the first part of the day. My sister and I went to Breakfast at Blue Plate Dinner. I got the Tofu Scramble and she got Hot Chocolate and Chocolate Chip Pancakes. Then we went and got manicures and pedicures it was all about the Red polish for Valentines day. We headed back to my house and I gave her her present. She liked it. Then it was time to go to school so she came up for a bit and saw my home away from home. We had such a fun morning together I didn’t want it to be over. Then I had studio and then Dugan and I headed home I made dinner and we had a nice night.

Saturday February 12th

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Midget. Today is my wonderful little sister Ashten’s Birthday. I am so glad she was born and we have had so much fun over the past 24 years. I LOVE HER. I had to work today till 2:30. Then off to a Baby Shower for one of the cute girls I had in Young Women's when I was YW President. She is so cute and I am so happy for her and can’t wait to meet her baby girl. I came home and hung out for a bit and then it was time for Dugan and I to get ready to go. Our friends came and picked us up. We went to our fav little place called Mountain City. After dinner we went to a Burlesque show and then hot tubing. It was such a wonderful Valentines date. Thanks again Dugan

Sunday Febrary 13th

Church was great. I enjoyed sitting by my friend Crystal and learning the gospel. It was Gorgeous outside for a February day. I just wanted to hang out outside all day. But I didn’t. I did some maps fro Studio and made cinnamon rolls from scratch and then made Old fashion meat loaf and twice baked potatoes for dinner. I was still in my baking mood so I decided to make Magic Bars too. After all Valentines day is tomorrow and it is one of my top three holidays. It was a great day. I think I might be ready for the week ahead. Specially since it is short with no class on Friday.

Monday February 14th

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY. I LOVE Valentines Day. I think that it is more of a kid, friend and dating holiday. Since Dugan and I have been married our Anniversary is much more of our Love Holiday. But I had so much fun making Valentines for friends, classmates and co workers. Studio was more presentations and then Dugan and I stayed in so I made dinner and we watched tv.

Tuesday February 15th

Today we Historic Preservation then Modernism. I went to R.I.P.P.E.D again. I am loving that class. Then a night of homework.

Wednesday February 16

I went to what I thought was Zumba but was actually a repeat of yesterday’s Ripped class so it was pretty hard. Before Studio started a group of students met early to talk. Drama in the Studio. Okay it wasn’t really that bad but it did get a little crazy. We have been working on planning these community workshops and in a major like architecture there are just to many people trying to be the leader. I am happy to step up when needed but in this situation I have stayed far away from being the go to person. After everyone took sometime and we got back together everything came together much nicer (not to mention the teachers were there so that always cools people down pretty fast). After studio we had structures. I can’t believe next week is my last structures class. Half semester classes go so fast.

Thursday February 17th

Today was the Majors Symposium. I woke up way to early to really yucky weather. But at least the plows had been out and the streets were safe. I was suppose to be there early to set up. It was a busy hour and a half of arranging flowers, preparing food and running the reception desk. The conference started just after 9:00 and was over by noon. Then I brought my friends Sarah and Chi Yow and my teacher Mimi back to the school . Sarah and I had modernism and were already pretty late. We headed to class. After class off to zumba (for real this time.)

Friday February 18th

Today was so fun. My sister came and got me and we went drove down to Provo. We went by my parents house and then she went to lunch with a friend and I did a little window shopping. Then we had to head back to Salt Lake City so I could be back in time for the Major One Jury that I was asked to be on (It was flattering to be asked). It was interesting and a very cool experience. I hope my future holds more of this academic stuff. It was such a great day.

Saturday February 19th

Today I worked from 6:00am to after noon. Dugan and I ran a few errands. It was pretty yucky weather so we decided to spend the rest of the day at home. At about 7:00pm I got the craving for Strawberries so I took a quick trip to the store and Dugan asked me to get the items needed to make tres leche cake.

Sunday February 20th

It was stake conference. We were all asked to prepare a talk in case we were called on to give it. They called on 6 people who gave wonderful talks. Then brother Richard C. Edgley spoke it was incredible. Many of my thoughts will be kept in my church journal. Right after the meeting I was prompted to immediately go and resolve an issue that had been wearing on me for a long time. The feeling of truly forgiving people is amazing. I am on cloud nine. The rest of the day was restful just like the sabbath should be.

Monday February 21st

Thank you for the Presidents who gave me this day. I slept in till 9:00 and then went to run a few errands. The distribution center for scriptures (which will be a gift which I am super excited about). Then I ran to whole foods to find granulated ginger for some cookies that I want to make. Time to hang out with Dugan.

Tuesday February 22nd

Today I had bobs class where we learned about Windows. After class my friends Megan Sarah, Dugan and I finished our structures assignment for Timber Trusses that is due tomorrow night. Then I had Modernism. After class Dugan went to work. I stayed at the school and Sarah, Megan and I got a good start on our finale Columns assignment. Tonight was the Westside Institute Class that we were required to go to from 5:30-9:00pm. Since Dugan took the car to work my friend Sarah and I took trax to my house, then I picked up my car so we could drive to the meeting. It was a pretty interesting night but I was glad when it was over and I could head home. I had left dinner all ready so Dugan could just cook it. We had Mediterranean Salmon with Lemon Dill Veggies. I was so happy to have dinner all ready waiting for me. Thank you Dugan. Then off to bed.

Wednesday February 23rd

I thought I really wouldn’t like Wednesday’s but they turned out not to be to bad. So today I had Dugan take me to school on his way to work. I worked on my abstract (Outline) for my Modernism paper about Frank Lloyd Wright. Then my friend Megan and I headed to the Field house to work out. I was going to go to a class but the teacher was running really late and I wanted to make sure to get in a good work out. So my friend Megan(her husband owns a gym) let me do her work out with her. It took me back to my Track days of Burpees, Dead lifts and running. I haven’t lifted a bar with weights for a long time. But I am excited to start doing it more often. I think that sometimes with the Dumbbells my right arm always seems to be much stronger so I am going to do a little test and see how lifting the bar works. Anyway, then we had studio where we worked on plans for our Focus Workshop. Tonight was our last night of our Timber Structures class. I have really liked the class so I am sad to see if come to an end but I am excited that I can now start going to my whole hip-hop class. We got home a little after eight and I made dinner.

Thursday February 24th

Today we had Bob’s where we talked about Embellishments on historic buildings. Then I finished my outline and turned it in in modernism. We talked about Le Corbusier which was nice because this is the first architect that we have talked about that I already know a lot about. I don’t think I have mentioned this yet because I don’t want to complain but the thing that is killing me with my modernism class is the reading. I have the class Tuesday and Thursday. Every class period we almost always have over 100 pages of reading. This isn’t as much of a problem from Thursday to Tuesday but from Tuesday to Thursday that is a lot of reading. Anyway that was my side note. The class went fast. After class I took Dugan to work, went for my Microderm and then headed to the car place to get Dugan’s car an oil change, safety/ emissions, and renew the registration. That wasn’t to bad. Then I took Dugan’s car home and picked up my car to do the same thing. Oil Change (Check) safety/emissions (Fail) oh man. I needed four new tires in order for my car to pass safety. They were almost totally Bald. Bummer. Dugan and I got home and made Ravioli and I spent the rest of the night resting. I talked to my sister and she told me she might have some tires I could buy off her. No such luck they were 14” and my car needed 15”. To good to be true.

Friday February 25th

Happy Birthday to my childhood friend Jen. Today I got up and headed to get some tires. They put them on pretty quick so then I could finish my safety/ emissions and I was on my way with my new registration. That’s all taken care of. Came home to finish my studio homework and made Mac and Cheese for Dugan for lunch. He came home had lunch and then we headed back to the school for Studio. Today’s studio was nice. We did a design Charette. (I know it looks like Charlotte, one letter different always causes me to take a double take.) It is nice to be getting to the beginning stages of actual building design. After studio Dugan and I drove by a few houses that have just been put on the market. We will go see the insides next week. Then we went home and I made Sonoma Steak for dinner. My throat and right ear have been hurting really bad so I was ready to just go to bed.

Saturday February 26h

I had the most delicious breakfast. It was Old Fashioned Oatmeal with granola, almonds, dried cranberries, sliced banana and Honey. It was heaven for my throat. Then I had work from 8:30-2:30. It went really fast. After work I had to the cross stitching store for Perforated paper for Dugan’s model. Anyway I got home and Dugan and I headed up to the school. We met with our group to go and do the first step of our forensics for our assigned historic house. It has been snowing all day so it was cold. It didn’t take to long and then we were back at the school. I have been working on a few things. Dugan has his final project for his Studio due on Monday. He will get it done but the late nights are here. His studio is two parts so his prefabricated part is done on Monday and his Technology studio starts on Wednesday. So I am just here being efficient and getting things done even though I don’t have much due this coming week.

It only took me all month to get a second to send all this madness out. All I can do is try to break it up a little more for you all in the future.

Week 3 House, Party, School

I have had this post ready but was hoping to have a few more pictures to post but Dugan has my camera hostage and keeps forgetting to give it to me.

Sunday January 23

Today was Wonderful. I LOVE church. I will just give you a few thoughts. Trusting my all in the Lord, Whatever it takes, Things that matter most (Uchtdorf). After church I spent a lot of time talking to my mom, sister, Janell (Dugan’s mom) on the phone and did lots of things I wanted to do. Dugan and I had a nice night.

Monday January 24th

Today I woke up so tired. But I am trying to get up the same time every day. I read this article about how getting up different times each day gives your body a type of Jet-lag. So am going to test it out. Dugan took me to school on his way to work. I was busy getting everything printed and ready for Studio. I know I have mentioned before and I am sure I will mention it again but I really do hate the plotter room. Actually it wasn’t to bad today so I am going to take today as a win. It just amazes me how long it takes to print things sometimes. Anyway a successful day of Studio and another few assignments to do this week. Studio has really kept me busy. After studio D and I came home. I made Lemon Chicken Fettuccine for dinner and worked on studio.

Tuesday January 25th

Today I woke up tired again. I am a pretty big dreamer and often wake up exhausted from my dreams. Anyway I only had Bob’s class today and we talked about Stone (I know you are all super jealous). After class I did my Structures homework that is due for tomorrow night I really didn’t want that hanging over my head. After Dugan and I got home we had some lunch and then went to pick up my friend Carrie’s daughter Katie I offered to babysit. She was ssoooo Funny in the car. She is 2 and a half and speaks so clear. It is so fun to talk to her. When we got to the house we watched Anastasia (one of my favorite kid movies) Then it was time for Katie to take her nap. I worked on homework while she was sleeping. She woke up right before her mom came to pick her up. It was Wonderful to get a chance to have such fun conversations with her. She is so Cute. Then I started to make Pork Chops and Pepper Corn for dinner. Spent the rest of the night working on diagraming maps and got in a little work out.

Wednesday January 26th

I woke up and got a few things done and got all ready. Dugan took me to school on his way to work. I had to take care of a few things on campus so I ran around campus for the first hour. When I made it back to my desk it was perfect timing to check and see if the teacher I am a T.A. for this semester had anything she would like me to be doing. I chatted with her for a minute and then headed back to my desk to work on studio. With in a few minutes my map was ready to be printed. Plotter Room (enough said). Pinned up my work and spent the next hour taking care of odds and ins. Studio went well today. I had some good thoughts. Have I expressed recently how much I love teaching? Well I do. It was a very informative day. It had been a good day but I really needed to get out of the building for a bit and I had a little less then an hour before my structure class would start so I decided to hurry down to the field house for a quick workout. I thought to myself a few miles on the Treadmill or Running on the indoor track? When I got there I was greeted with a fun suprise I had forgot about. (Since I don’t usually have time to go and work out on Wednesday nights.) It was a Hip-Hop Class. Sweet just what I would need to help me sit still and try and pay attention in structures for the next three hours. I worked up a pretty good sweat when I had to leave early in order to make it to class. The class actually went pretty fast tonight. I am hoping to start my homework for next wednesday tomorrow and maybe finish it by Saturday so I don’t forget everything. I was so proud of myself for my excellent dinner planning. We got home and within 15 minutes I had made Parmesan Pesto Salmon with Jasmine Rice and Parmesan Crisp. Now that’s what I am talking about. Who knew how well my super powers would work tonight. Good and Successful day. Time for me to go to sleep. Hope I can wake up rested tomorrow morning.

Thursday January 27th

Today was good and long. I had Bob’s class which will now make me look much closer at Masonry from now on. After class I got a few things done and then had lunch. Now the only reason I mention lunch is because I have been on this kick for the past few weeks. Almost everyday for lunch I have Tomato Soup. I am so hooked. I also will often have it with this new cracker I found. It is a wasa crisp. They are delicious. Also if I am really wanting something sweet I will put a little almond butter dark chocolate spread on it and warm it just a bit. Heaven on earth with no guilt. Anyway I LOVE food but enough about it for now. Then my poor Modernism teacher arrived just barley late to class with suitcases in toe. He had come straight from the airport in a Taxi. Poor guy was sweaty and all flustered. With in a few minutes class had began and we were discussing the Tatlin Tower. After doing the four reading assignments in preface to the discussion I found hope that it might be possible for me to write my 20 page paper about one building but we will see. It is still very over whamming to envision. After class I took Dugan to work and had two appointments to go to before going back and picking him up. After I picked him up we went to meet with our real-estate agent about looking at 3 houses. The first one had almost no kitchen, the second had almost no room in the bedrooms and the third was a little unfinished. We had a nice time looking. I came home and made Steak Salsa Verde tacos which I whipped up pretty quick again due to good planning. We had dinner did a little homework and then off to bed.

Friday January 28th

I am so glad it’s Friday. Spent the morning working on Studio. Then had studio. It was a pretty uneventful day as school goes. After school Dugan and I had to run by and pick up a gift for Jimmy. I have been thinking about it for weeks but am so indecisive that I hadn’t actually picked up the gift till now. We came home and I made Fish and Chips. I love fish (very lightly breaded) and I like my chips to be sweet potatoes. Making things healthy is GOOD. After dinner Dugan and I drove by a few of the other houses that we were interested in looking at. It was a good thing because there were a few eliminated before we took the time of the realtor. Dugan and I had a nice night together.

Saturday January 29th

Good morning world. I love being a morning person. With a few random morning mishaps I made it to work a few minutes late. It was fine sometimes life just has a few curve balls at 6:00 in the morning. Work was nice and went by fast. Then I came home to wrap Jimmy’s present and get ready for his party. We went to our friends Jim and Carries son’s Birthday party. It was at the Nickelcade. He opened his presents which we gave him a Star Wars Guess Who game that we thought was pretty cool. Then we had cake (which was a super hero cake that his mom had made with fondant buildings) it was really cool. Then it was play time. I took Katie and she went on the moving rides with most of her nickels. The 5 and 6 year old boys were having fun finding games to play. Dugan and I later played a Deal or no deal game. I choose the case #15 (which is my anniversary day). The rest of the game is opening 20 cases and depending on the amount of money that is eliminated depends on the dealers offer. Well the 1000 was still up so Dugan had me keep going. It came down to my case and #2 one of them had 8 the other 1000. I said no deal. It opened my case to reveal 1000. YES I was so excited I picked the highest case. Sweet I got 200 tickets which allowed Dugan to pick out some $10.00 Sunglasses for me. It was pretty fun. After the kids parents came to pick them up we went to the Clarks house. Katie took here nap, Jimmy played with his toys from his party, Jim and Dugan went downstairs and Carrie and I played Jimmy’s new Star Wars guess who game for 2 hours. Crazy how time flies when your having fun. It was dinner time and we decided to go out for Chinese. After dinner we ran by the school to pick up a few things and drove by two other houses we were interested in. What a great day.

Week 2 A Bit Crazy Already

Sunday January 16th 2011

I LOVE church. I love taking notes and learning as much as possible. I know I might be a little weird but it is just how I am. So I will try and limit my Sunday comments even though I have so much to share. Here are a few of my thoughts. Excited to hear talks from Preach my Gospel each month. Learning to be better about putting Christ at the center of my life and Fasting. All the meetings were wonderful. I came home and had a nice afternoon resting (not doing homework) and then we went to our friends Jeff and Shasta’s house. They made us enchiladas for dinner and Dugan made molten lava cake for dessert. Then we watched the new Karate Kid. It was a fun day.

Monday January 17th 20011

Happy Birthday to my sister-in-law Sandra. Hope you had a wonderful day.

The success of a no homework Sunday was nice but brought lots to do on Monday. Good thing it was a holiday so I could get everything done. Thank you Martin Luther King.

Tuesday January 18th 2011

It was a long weekend but school is in full swing. Today was almost four hours of lecture classes in the same (cold) room. I am not sure how I can do this twice a week for the rest of the semester but I will find away. So I am starting my paper about Architectural forensics and building failures. It should be interesting. I will let you know how it goes. I also am doing some research to find what I want to write my 20 page paper about for my modernism class. After classes I had to get out of the building so I headed to my R.I.P.P.I.D. class. It is so hard. It is an acronym for Resistance, Intervals, Power, Plyometrics, Endurance, and Diet. I am excited about taking it this semester. Then it was time to keep working on my two projects that are due for Structures tomorrow night. I have been enjoying working on the assignment about a frogs structure. I talked about it’s legs, eyes and toes. I LOVE frogs always have, always will.

Wednesday January 19th 2011

I have decided Wednesdays are going to be a little crazy. Worked on my building for structures and maps for studio. Then I had studio from 2-5 and then structures form 6-9. It is still hard to have a night class. We got home. I made a quick dinner and it was bedtime.

Thursday January 20th 2011

Today was nice. Our modernism teacher is out of the country till next Wednesday. I had plenty to do for studio tomorrow so I worked on all my stuff. Went to the Gym. I had an appointment and then school stuff till 9:00pm when we had to meet with our group from last semesters concrete class to move our 4 -400 lb concrete bench blocks. It was pretty uneventful but I still had homework when I got home. It was a very late night.

Friday January 21st 2011

I know it might be cliché but TGIF. Today Dugan took me to the school before he had work so I could finish painting my maps for Studio. These maps have been pretty fun. I will try and take a picture and put it in next weeks post. I had the chance to map out my growing up neighborhood in Provo. It brought back wonderful memories and let me express myself. Along with my maps I had to find 24 types of buildings that are built on rivers around the world. I even Skyped my brother to ask him if he knew of anything in Hong Kong. Studio went fast and then Dugan and I could go home at 5:30. YES!!! I made dinner and we went to get dessert. We decided on a piece of Coconut Buttermilk Cake from the Dodo. They were so busy we took it to go. I was tired and have work tomorrow at 6:00am. Goodnight

Saturday January 22nd 2011

Early morning work. I woke up with a full heart and was grateful that the past week had gone pretty well. I enjoyed work and loved getting a chance to chat a bit with a co-worker. Today was a short shift at work. I was home and taking a nap by noon. I was plan on getting up and getting all my homework done and running errands but when I woke up I didn’t feel good and I couldn’t focus. So I ran to pick up art supplies, to the school and then to the grocery store (which took forever). I couldn’t find anything I needed. Anyway then I got home and made Coconut Shrimp for dinner. Tried to do homework but was so distracted.

It’s been a busy week but I am excited to keep going.