Missed the memo...

So I decided to end my 6mos of silence. I must admit, there are probably a few good reasons why I haven't been writing, but in all honesty, the real reason is....LIFE HAPPENS! So please pardon the interruption and let's get back to the monotony which is my day to day....

Okay so maybe monotony was the wrong word to use...Between work, church and my amazing boyfriend, I am left with usually about an hour or two out of each day to get things done. But don't worry, I still have thoughts, and I continue to eat potatoes and ice cream on an almost daily basis.

So what has been on my mind lately? UTAH DRIVERS!!! That's what! It boggles my mind to think that somehow so many terrible, wreckless, self-consumed, oblivious drivers have somehow all gathered into such a concentrated area. Not a single day goes by that this thought does not cross my mind:

"um.....are you serious?!"

Usually that thought is aimed at the person driving in front of, next to, behind or in the vicinity of my vehicle. Now, I would never consider myself to be an angry, easily stirred or agitated individual...but i have had some very negative, accusing, outraged and downright mean thoughts go through my head while driving down the I-15 through Salt Lake and Utah counties each day on my way to and from work.

I know that blogs are not merely a place where frustrated people go to vent, but it can also be a marketplace of ideas so to speak, where good ideas and insights can be shared. So on that note, here is the memo that it appears that every driver in Utah has missed:

"You're not the only person on the road!!!!"


On a lighter note: I'm breaking out the winter gear..... :-(

A Wise Man Once Said

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

I love my Daddy and since I cannot be with my Dad today, I wanted to honor him the best way I know how. By dedicating this blog post entirely to him! I know, I know, I shouldn't have but I just wanted to show My Daddy and the rest of the world how much I love him. And I also wanted to pass along some of the wonderful life lessons that my Father has taught me. So here they are:

Things I've learned from my Dad:

1. The meaning of hard work. My dad can never sit still. He is always working on one project or another. As a kid, I used to love helping my dad with his outdoor projects (unless it involved weeding or gardening of any kind). I may have moaned a time or two when he asked me to come and help, but even at a young age, I truly did enjoy the time I got to spend with my Dad and have always looked up to him for all of the lessons he taught to me about hard work.




2. The value of a dollar $. So maybe this is a lesson I am still learning but my dad has done everything in his power to teach me how to earn and save money. Once I turned 16 I had to get a job and earn my own money to pay for my own things. Now, I may be a bit of a shop-a-holic at times but I always have my Dad to go to for financial advice and coaching. He has taken care of me financially my entire life and I have never had to go without. thanks dad!

3. How to shop. Okay, so maybe #2 and #3 perhaps seem a little contradictory. However, there is no one I would rather go shopping with than my Dad. There is no one else in the family who enjoys strolling through the mall as much as I do. I always look forward to shopping sprees with my Daddy. Not just because he buys me stuff, but because it is something that we both love to do and that we can do together.

4. How to magnify my calling. When I was younger, my dad was called to be the Bishop of our ward. I grew up knowing that on Wednesday nights, my Dad wouldn't be home until late late late because of meetings and interview. I saw him conducting meetings and winning over the hearts of Ward members with his whit. When he was in charge of taking care of the building and facilities, he never missed a snow storm or issue. He was there magnifying his calling. I have never seen him turn down a calling and nor will I ever.

5. Discipline. My parents were certainly a force to be reckoned with. If they said jump, you didn't ask how high, you just jumped! I am sure that I was not the easiest child to motivate to do chores and homework, but my parents have always had high expectations for me and I tried my hardest to live up to those expectations and it is those expectations that have gotten me to become the woman that I am today.

6. How to Laugh. My dad is HILARIOUS. Corny at times perhaps, but he can always make me laugh. Even when I'm mad at him or the world. I feel that I owe my good sense of humor to his goofiness. Maybe that's why I'm not married yet......hmm......



7. How to Love. My Dad isn't one to just simply SAY 'I love you.' My dad shows his love through his actions. Calling just to chat (even though he disguises it with an inquiry about a recent purchase or date that I've gone on). I have always known that my Dad loves me because he takes care of me and always makes sure that I am doing okay. Even being thousands of miles away, I know he is thinking of me and praying for me.







And I love you too Dad!

Counting My Steps

It's amazing to see how many steps you take in a day. It's even more shocking to see how many steps you DON'T take in a day. My office has been doing this wellness challenge. Everyone in the office has been issued a pedometer and the office has been split up into teams. Each team member reports to the team captain the totals on their pedometer each day and the first team to collectively walk a certain number of miles wins a prize. I honestly am not the most motivated team member. I really couldn't care less if I won free Jimmy Johns or a $25 Walmart gift card. However, it is amazing how motivating that little pedometer can be.

When you reach the end of the day and look and see that you have only taken 2,000 steps, it can be pretty degrading and a great motivator to get out there and go for a walk/run/whatever. So I have been making an effort to walk more. An injury I had in High School doesn't allow me to run without suffering from some serious back pain, so I just briskly walk. I have noticed a big difference between the days when I go for my walks and the days I don't. My mood is better, I feel more accomplished, energized and I go to bed with a smile on my face.

Walking is also a really great way to take time to ponder. If you read my last post, you already know that I do not own an iPod, so when I walk I take the opportunity to clear my head, then just think and ponder and make decisions and observations. One observation I made today is that walking and making the effort to at least do a little exercise fills the void that I've had ever since I graduated and stopped dancing. Dance has been such a big part of my life and now that it's gone (at least for now) I can feel it physically and emotionally. But walking helps at least a little bit to fill that void and get me out and moving again. So I urge everyone to get out there and be more active! Or at least get a pedometer....

On a lighter note, as of a couple weeks ago, I am now a Utah-licensed driver....Though I Refuse to drive like one. Period. But I am pretty sure that those who work at DMVs have some kind of code that states "Make sure that the photo on the license is as unflattering as humanly possible. No exceptions, no limits." Or something to that effect, because I definitely look DRUNK in my photo. And I was so excited to finally have a "good" license photo. Oh well. Guess I have to wait another 5 years.

Car Singers Annonymous

Is there anything better than driving in your car while listening to a great CD and singing along at the top of your lungs? I say unto you, Nay. Sometimes, it's just the bit of therapy I need to stay sane. When life gives you lemons, squeeze them into a cup and drink it down to soften up your vocal chords! Nothing calms me down after a stressful day at work better than climbing into my 2003 Honda Civic, throwing in Ingrid Michaelson's "Everybody" album and singing along.

Call me old fashioned, but I still burn mix CD's of my favorite songs to sing in the car. I probably have half a dozen CD's entitled "sing a-long" or something to that effect. I never listen to the radio because I waste too much time listening to stupid commercials and annoying DJ blabber and barely have time to sing out a single lyric to a song I actually know. Don't judge me. I'm sure someday I'll buy an i-Pod and catch up with the rest of the world, but until that day, I'm a CD-burning machine!

And another thing, I don't understand why I don't see anyone else singing in their cars during my commutes to and from work. Maybe the world would have a lot less road rage if we were all smiling and singing along to our favorite tunes. I mean, can you really flip someone off during the harmonious climax of "Lean on me"? And, how can you call someone an idiot while belting out the lyrics to your favorite love ballad? All I know is that I don't see enough car singing. Something needs to change.



On a lighter note, it's not supposed to SNOW in MAY. I remember one time back home it snowed in April and we all thought the world was coming to an end. But here it's TYPICAL to see snow in May and June??? I thought I left all that behind in Idaho! Well, I guess it will make the summertime that much sweeter. (and that much shorter...)

Black Holes and Revelations

So last night I had the awesome privilege of seeing MUSE in concert here in SLC, UT. And let me tell you, it was an experience. Amazing from beginning to end. I have loved MUSE for years, but I have been really bad at keeping up to date with their new music since I got home from my mission. I have just been hesitant to attend any kind of concert, and I honestly wasn't even very excited to go. However, as I walked onto the floor during the opening act, I felt the familiar, yet foreign feeling of the bass pumping in my chest. It had been so long since I had felt something like that. It was instant nostalgia. I never realized how much I missed going to shows.


The opening act, Silversun Pickups, were pretty good. I was actually very impressed. I had never heard of them before but they're music was good. I just pity anyone who has to open for an amazing band like Muse cuz, there is just no comparison. They had a chick bass player. It was funny cuz she totally reminds me of a good friend of mine. She even had the same hair and cute little petite-ness.


Muse was just amazing. I don't know if I can even find a word to describe them. I have seen some pretty awesome bands in my day, but these guys surpassed them all. Even Incubus and Franz Ferdinand who I thought were the best performers that I had ever seen. I guess it was just a combination of music that I love so much with the video screens, lasers and energy. They didn't mess around. They played one song after the next without wasting time talking about stuff we don't really care about. And the thing that made me respect them the most was that they didn't utter one curse word. My biggest pet peeve about musicians is their need to fill their live shows with expletives and inappropriateness. However, Muse was respectful and didn't belittle their music with stuff like that. It made me fall in love with them more.


My favorite part was when he whipped out the piano. Not only does he play the guitar (and keytar) like a rock star, but he can bust out classical piano like nobody's business. (Is this guy single??) I only wish they had played more piano during the show. One of my favorite things about Muse is how they incorporate the piano so mesmerizingly.
I could go on all day about how much I loved and needed this concert. Life has thrown me some curve balls lately and unwinding, rocking out and singing at the top of my lungs was exactly what I've been needing.
Thank you Muse!!

On a lighter note, I haven't had Sushi in like, 3 weeks! maybe even more....This calls for a sushi night.

Disney says....

So I was listening to Disney music during a road trip with my brothers and I realized how many life lessons we learn from these songs. Some are really deep and meaningful. Others are somewhat shallow and kinda funny. Here are some examples:

"Yes, I know I'm just an outcast
I shouldn't speak to you
Still I see Your face and wonder
Were You once an outcast too?"
-The Hunchback of Notre Dame

"You think the only people who are people
Are the people who look and think like you
But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger
You'll learn things you never knew you never knew"
-Pocahontas

"Yes, you want her
Look at her, you know you do
Possible she wants you too
There is one way to ask her
It don't take a word
Not a single word
Go on and kiss the girl"
-The Little Mermaid

"Now I see
If I wear a mask
I can fool the world
But I cannot fool my heart"
-Mulan

"When you got a hundred voices singin'
Who can hear a lousy whistle blow?"
-Newsies

"Masquerade!
Hide your face,
so the world will
never find you!"
-Phantom of the Opera

"High times, hard times
Sometimes the living is sweet
And sometimes there's nothing to eat
But I always land on my feet
So when there's dry times
I wait for high times and then
I put on my best
And I stick out my chest
And I'm off to the races again! "
-Newsies

"This equation; Girl Plus Man
doesn't help just you.
On occasion women can have their uses too.
Mainly to extend the family tree."
-Beauty and the Beast

"Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling through
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true "
-Cinderella

"You've got to show her you need her
Don't treat her like a mind reader
Each day do something to lead her
To believe you love her"
-Enchanted

"I am on my way - I can go the distance!
I don't care how far - Somehow I'll be strong
I know every mile will be worth my while
I would go most anywhere to find where I belong"
-Hercules

"Pretty is nice but still
It's just pretty
Perfect, my dears
Is me."
-Oliver and Company

On a lighter note, I had no idea that the human body could produce so much...moisture (to put it lightly). Being sick is no picnic....

The Ice Cream Workout

Yesterday my roommates and I were really excited to try this Hot Yoga class, where basically you do Yoga in a sauna. I have heard good things about this type of class and was looking forward to getting my trash kicked--since it's been a while... We heard about this place where you could go try the class once for free, and we were pumped to give it a whirl. As we pulled up to the facility, we noticed that it was conveniently placed right next to a Dairy Queen. We decided we would have to stop for a cool down after the class. Of course. What any woman would do, right? So as we were filling out our information sheets for what we thought was a free introductory class, they told us that we would indeed have to pay for the class--either $30 for 30 days unlimited, or $18 for the one time. Since none of us had ever tried this type of class before, we weren't about to lay down 30 bones in hopes that we'd actually like it and want to come back every day for the next month in order to make it worth it. We were bummed that our Hot Yoga experience did not come to be....But we still stopped at Dairy Queen afterwards. I mean....it was right there!
To be completely honest, I wasn't super bummed about missing the class because I was excited to attend FHE that night. Had the class actually happened, I wouldn't have been able to. It's nice when things work out like that.

On a lighter note, I could basically have a concession stand business out of my desk at work. I don't have any personal photos or knick knacks on my desk, but it is filled with crackers, candies, chocolate, fruit leathers and gum....What does that say about me? hmm........

Sushi Time!

Have you ever had one of those days where you just don't feel like doing anything. You'd just rather stay at home and chillax? Well, that's how I've felt this whole WEEK. Everyday, I would come home from work and just work on my Relief Society lesson and watch a movie... basically every day. Friday, I got invited to three really fun social events, but my heart was already set on watching a chick flick with one of my new found besties (a decision which I most definitely do NOT regret either, we had so much fun just talking and bawling over the movie).
However, by Saturday I was ready to go out and play! I got home from work and showered and got all readied...But.... I didn't have anything to do! My roommates were all out doing their own thing and so I ended up getting take-out sushi (again--which I must admit was inspired by the movie "2 Weeks Notice" where Sandra Bullock has the chinese restaurant's menu memorized and orders from it on a regular basis....I want to be like her.) and watched a documentary about the auditions for the Broadway revival of A Chorus Line (which was really interesting). The social event of the evening was going to the store with my roommate when she got home and cleaning/organizing the kitchen. Hopefully this week will be filled with socializing, so that I can get over the hermit rut I've been in this week.
However, all the preparation did pay off. I felt my R.S. lesson today went really well. OH, how I've missed teaching. I am one of those weird Mormons who prays that I get a teaching calling and cries when she gets released from them. In my opinion, a teaching calling is the best calling there is. My only complaint is that I only get to teach once every OTHER month. Sad Day.

On a lighter note: Now that I'm finally working and getting a steady source of income, I want to decorate my room. I have a ballet themed print that my friend made that I want to frame, but other than that, I got nothing....Any ideas??

Grow up!

Last night, I learned that I'm not simply awkward around boys, I am socially retarded around them! Last night my house was full of young, single, attractive young men, but I didn't even WANT to talk to any of them. And when I did get a chance to, I ended up offending half of them as soon as I opened my mouth. Long story short, I called it a night early and went to bed.
And tonight, I bought myself some sushi and edamame, plopped in front of my TV to watch Steel Magnolias and thought to myself "THIS is the life."

Oh a lighter note: I've decided that I have the eating habits of a child. Not in quantity, but in quality. I went grocery shopping the other day and I was trying to be really good. As I was removing each item from my cart I started off feeling really good about my purchases. Yogurt, milk, and fruit. But then I started to pull out... chocolate marshmallow mateys and EZ-Mac which took up the majority of my order. I thought to myself..."wow, I have the WORST eating habits!" Then, the cute guy in line behind me said "Hey! That's kid's cereal! haha" I probably turned beet red. I was SO embarrassed! But I do eat an abnormal amount of cereal. However, in my defense, cereal is one of those foods that can be for breakfast, a quick lunch, a lazy dinner, or even a midnight snack! Maybe someday I'll grow out of my childhood eating habits.

Valentines and Bed Sheets

I must admit. I am not a huge fan of Valentine's Day. Call it bitterness, indifference. Whatever you want. Both of those may or may not be correct. However, I do say that this year's Valentine's Day/weekend has been the best ever, by far. I went on a crazy fun triple date with some Awesome people on Friday. Let's just say tacos, Balderdash AND Mario Kart were all involved...need I say more?? Saturday I spent the the evening with one of my favorite people in the world, my roommate. We went to a "mocktail" party. Which is basically the LDS (dry) version of a cocktail party. However, it does not take booze to make me tipsy. About three drinks in, I lost all brain filter/control abilities. But it was fun. I drank so much, I tripped up the stairs of the next house we visited. I don't even think I want to imagine myself with actual liquor in my system. Scary! The night ended with the viewing of one of my favorite movies of all time, "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days." Sunday was the cherry on top of an amazing weekend. Church was especially amazing. Sacrament meeting was very inspirational. The topic? Why, Love and relationships of course! Though, each meeting was uplifting and spiritual, I must admit, the thing that left me pleased as punch was the fact that I gave my number out to two awesome guys today! Disclaimer: Guys don't ask for my number very often, so two in one day is probably some kind of record for me. All in all, it was the best Valentine's that I have ever had, which just reassures me more and more that I am exactly where I need to be right now. It also goes to show that you don't need an actual Valentine to enjoy the idea behind Valentine's Day. If you look around yourself, you'll see that you are surrounded with people that you love and people who love you back. Even if it's not in a romantic kind of way.

On a lighter note, I really need to wash my bed sheets. Every time that I set out to do it, the laundry room is occupied. I mean, bed sheets aren't something you can just throw into the washer overnight or something and then forget about it. If I don't get them washed, I have nowhere to sleep at night! Deciding to wash your sheets is a real commitment. Maybe I should just buy a second set of sheets so I have something to use while I wait for the time to wash the first set. But is that just being lazy? Can my laziness really justify the 15 bucks I'd spend on a while new set of sheets. All because I can't manage my time well enough to fit in a load of laundry?? Am I the only one with this dilemma? ...probably

What is "it"?

So I was talking to a friend tonight about graduating from school and how much life changes afterwards. It is funny how for SO long you measure your life in "semesters" or at times "transfers." It gives you a unit of measurement for life and something to look forward to. You can tell how fast time is going when you reach the end of a semester and look back and think "where did that semester go!?" I was telling my friend how the other day I was noticing how fast time was going by and thought to myself "wow it's going by so fast!" Then I realized that I didn't know what "it" was! I have no unit of measurement anymore. I have no end of anything to look forward to. Just life, one day at a time. It really rocked my world when I came to that realization. I need to find some kind of measuring tool for life.

On a lighter note, my new job as a carrier services representative at a logistics company sure has kept life interesting. I love that I get to talk to all kinds of people from all over the nation every day. It's amazing what some people will say to you (especially in the transportation industry). The other day a woman was talking about one of her drivers and how she was going to make him take a load because he was on his way back home. She's like "Well, he's my husband so I can make him do it. Sometimes he can be such a grumpy butt hole!" It took me completely by surprise because she was such a sweet sounding woman. It took everything inside me not to burst out into laughter...actually, I'm pretty sure I did. Maybe you don't think it's that funny, but you just had to hear her and the way she said it. Picture an older woman with a southern drawl (the nicest sounding woman by the way) suddenly calling her husband a butt hole. It sure made my day.


P.S. Right now Aeropostale is collecting jeans to donate to homeless families. I highly recommend you clean out your closets and take in what you can. It only lasts until this Sunday the 14th!

Western Transplant

I have had many conversations with various people on the subject of my feelings about living out West. I'll admit that living here was never something I aspired to or even really wanted to do. I've always been quite content living on the East Coast. However, now that I am here, I realize that I couldn't be happier. It is amazing how quickly the people here have opened up to me and let me into their world. I never imagined it would be so easy to make so many friends so quickly. I've made friends from all over the nation, and even the world. It's also quite funny to admit that the one guy who really likes me and I know wants to date me doesn't even speak my language...
But it is so great to be able to drive down the street and see people I know, or timidly go to a church activity, not knowing if I'd know anyone there, and leave having met three new friends. I look back on the decision of whether to move home or here, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that I have made the right decision.

On a lighter note, I was sitting on my bed watching *coughthebachelorcough* excuse me...and I saw a SPIDER slink down from my ceiling onto the end of my bed. A shrieked (I am such a girl when it comes to spiders) and leaped for something to smash it with (the best I could muster up was a huge bottle of contact solution) and began to frantically smash at it. It snuck into a purse that was sitting on the floor and I hacked at it with that bottle like there was no tomorrow....however, I am not sure if I killed it or not. And now my whole body itches and I'm worried that I won't be able to sleep very well. Eek! Guess I won't be using that purse again any time soon.

Number One

Okay, so I have been telling myself for years that I should start a blog. I always thought that blogs were for married people to post pictures of their dogs and videos of their kids playing with their food. Yet, seeing as I own neither a dog nor a child, starting a blog was something I have always put off. But, now that I am starting this new chapter in my life, (ie: graduating from college, moving out on my own, finding a career and hopefully dating) I feel like it is an appropriate time to add my voice to the masses on the blog-isphere.
So you may be wondering, "Zannah, why 'Potatoes and Ice Cream'?" And that, my friend, is a good question. The name of a blog is very important. It says something to the world, it draws people in, like a good tag line to an advertising campaign. I thought long and hard about the title for my blog and in the end, this was one that I felt good about. I feel that my title is simple, yet fun, random and intriguing. All things that I wanted my blog to convey. Potatoes and Ice Cream are my two most favorite foods in the whole world. I could eat them every day and never tire of them. When people ask me "what's your favorite food?" I'd always say "potatoes and ice cream...but not together." That is, until one day i found myself dipping my french fries into my blizzard at Dairy Queen and realized that I was mistaken. They ARE my favorite foods and they DO go well together. :-)
So I hope you enjoy reading my posts and I also hope you leave lots of comments. I am looking forward to the year 2010 for many reasons. I have set some goals that I hope to achieve, I am living in a new place with new people and look forward to making lots of new friends and having new experiences often. It's exciting and SCARY all at the same time. But I am confident that I'm not doing it on my own, and I know I'll be alright.