Oddity of the Moment

New for Facebook relationship statuses: way TMI

Okay, look. What is this? How many different relationship statuses can FB come up with that are "legitimate" for enough people that they become necessary? 

UM.

Frankly, you're either single, dating, or married. 

Yeah, engaged. But it's almost unnecessary. It's just so everyone can get excited and hear "all the news."

If it's complicated, the world doesn't want to know.

If it's open, is it be open enough that everyone needs to know it's not stable?

If I were widowed, I wouldn't give a crap what FB thinks of it. 

Separated... so are you single or married? And what's the difference between that and divorced?

And, really, divorced is not a very nice label.

What is the difference between a civil union and a domestic partnership?

...does it matter? Both of them generally mean you live together without being married.

I'm just really surprised at the direction the world is going, that's all. This is sort of a rant. I hope I don't offend anyone.. I love you all. I accept whatever choices you want to make and still think you're an awesome person. 

But Facebook is kinda screwy sometimes. 

Artists whom I Love

Planning a wedding is hilarious, and somewhat messed up from time to time. 

Because it's not really me planning my wedding, it's "the family". So far, mostly my mother, Mel, and Kristina. Don't get me wrong, please, I love having their help. They are so uber talented, and you'll see their work when you come to the reception. It's beautiful.
The hilarious part is that I tried to plan my own wedding in the beginning. Like, I was shopping and picking everything out, renting the places I wanted to be, etc. Then there was a slow takeover and usurping of power/opinions/planning duties. I found that no matter what I did, it was likely I wouldn't be planning my own wedding. So I stopped trying. And, really, a lot more work got done.
Our current status is somewhere in between trying to plan and complete abstinence from it. Aka: The things that are important to me, I make sure they happen. The things that aren't, I let "the family" kick trash and do amazing things. They really are good at it.

(Side note! Ashley Imlay is coming (flying.. jealous) up here tomorrow to go to the Festival of Colors with me and I am so excited! Yaay!)

(Impatiently) What does this have to do with the blog title, Tifa?
The quirks of planning your wedding are ingrained traditions. Aka: There are certain people we normally hire for weddings, and you can't choose anyone else. You can try, but it's likely yours won't be as awesome/talented/economical as ours.

Over time I have found peace with their choices and mine, and the wedding will be happening, I promise. I have to tell about some of them. Because they're awesome, and they've featured in the past few days.

Ze Photos:
Russ Dixon

Russ was actually my choice.. though he technically counts as a family tradition because Jamie used him before me. But it's all good. I got a lot of crap for choosing him above free/family photographers, but any complaints were silenced when we got our engagement photos back after the photoshoot. You can see why: he rocks. And I love him. So excited for next week's wedding shoot! (:


Ze flowers: (I wanted to get... zhose flowhers for you. Name the movie please?)
Johnny Ashworth, Traces Inc.
Unfortunately, Joni does not have a website.. but you can read the reviews, if you want... XD
The shop is kind of fun, though. I got a misplaced email from them listing all their different brands of heirloom tomato seeds that will be available for purchase this year. There were a ton.

Joni is a tradition in our family (and for good reason). She did Mel's wedding 14 years ago, Jamie's 1 year ago, and probably more that I don't know about. I love her. (: Want to see what she's doing for me?

1) A white anenome boquet 

Technically two.. photos and wedding day.

2) Michael's boutonniere.. ah, it's so pretty!!

3) My hairpiece.. she made it. She made it. Wow.. for my wedding hair. Like? (:
This is like a rough draft, don't judge too harshly.

While we're on the topic of

Wedding Hair:

Jarom Mair

Currently Jarom is at Salon Lydia.. but this is the third time he's moved in ten years. (Read his review?)

Jarom is a tradition I was set on. He's done my mother, Mel, Jame, Tara, Livia (she's nine...), and I for about 15 years. We follow him when he moves, we bring him toffee at Christmas, and we love him dearly. He's more of a misplaced brother. (He informed me that I didn't have his permission to get married, but agreed to forgive me later... toffee was involved.)
If I had a stalker photo of Jarom, I would post it. He's 30...4? 34? He's very opinionated, and won't let you do anything stupid to your hair, even if you beg... which I have. He's waking up at 6am for me.. because Russ likes early photos.. sorry. I love you Jarom. 

If any of you ever want the most tastefully lovely haircut ever, you should call him. 

and many more. But I believe this has gone long, anyway. I love these people, and really would recommend them to anyone. I hope Tara has a slightly easier job of planning her wedding, though. 

The Reasons we fly Delta

So.. last post was on Thursday. This one's on Friday.. let's just pretend the weeks are the same, yes? (:
Nah, it's all good.
Because I got to go see Michael. *sigh of relief and love and almost dying but not quite*
It had been a month.
Wow. Don't do that.
Don't. It's not fun.

The Reasons we (I.. America.. whoever) fly Delta:

1: Biscoff cookies. 

It's true and you know it. Have you had one? Did you eat ten instead of one? Did the people around you understand that you suddenly turned into a Biscoff-eating machine and give you theirs? Mine didn't. >:(

Stewardess: Would you like a snack? Peanuts, pretzels, cookie? 

Me: Cookiiiieeezz.z.. *drool*

Stewardess (to other guy): Would you like a snack? Peanuts, pretzels, cookie?

Other guy: No, thanks.

Me: *gawping* ...what? You.. I could have had that.. have you not tried Biscoff cookies or something?

Stewardess: *repeat*

Next lady: No, thanks.

And repeat about 5x. I was saddened.

I got braver, later on. On the last leg home the English guy next to me said no. Since he and I had become friends I informed the stewardess that he really wanted peanuts. They both laughed. But it worked. (:

Now picture ten instead of just one.

2. Yay Sky Miles!

Super thanks to my parents [in-law] who used their miles to buy Michael and I tickets this season. You're saving our lives. We love you.

3. Unintended Mechanical Issues

Why is this a reason we love Delta? Are you being sarcastic?

Nope.

Be me, seeing my adoring fiance for the first time in a month, staying for the amount of time which, while in USU, was the best we could do. 

Be me, not in college anymore, leaving before I really "have to" because I can't change my flight. 

Okay.

Now be me when the announcer guy tells you your plane is cancelled and offers a flight the next day.

Be Michael when I called and asked him to come get me from the airport.

Yay. (: We love Delta. 

Just don't be the guy next to me who got really pissed off. Nope. Be me. 

His name was Zach and he worked for the DIA in the Air Force... he hates SLC (where we were both headed, both days) and told me all about his married/divorced/dating/engaged life. For hours. We sat by each other on both days for over 2 hours waiting for said flight connection. Hilarious. He was way cool.

This post should be about: 

Day 4: Your parents

But, 1) long posts are hard to read, aren't they? Tell me, really. Because I can do short ones. Like today.

 And 2) I don't want to pass up my friends who are on day 5... that's a lame reason. It's mostly because of the long post. Let me know.


I have no idea why these last two paragraphs are a different sized font. But it really bugs me...XD 

Irony and the value of being outspoken

Day 1: Introduce, recent picture of yourself, 15 interesting facts


Those things in awkward group settings.. get to know you things. People ask you for something "no one knows about you". Yeah. Great idea. Except the part where I'm sitting in said room with my 4 best friends and we have a rather large issue: I'm one of those outspoken people. I divulge about my life, my thoughts, my dreams. All of it is eventually laid out on the table. I doubt there's anything I could say on this blog that someone doesn't already know. 


Really. Watch for it. 


Tomma, tell me if I ever say anything truly original on here. That means you have to read it. (: 

All right. This is me.

All right. That's a lie. 

This is me and Michael. Honestly though, this pretty much counts as me, either way.

I chose a photo most of you haven't seen. I'm cheating. 

But this is  me in my favorite jacket. A leather bomber jacket that Coj gave me for Christmas. Love it. 

Photo introductions are much more fun, no?

I love fall leaves. Hardcore. 

I made this fall leaf collage thing in my dorm. It took me a few months. I got a lot of flack for it, but they dried beautifully and it kept me happy through the winter.

I love Utah State with my heart. Really. My heart is in Logan. I miss it there.
I only spent a semester there, but it was the right choice for me, and I know that well.

I lived in St. G for about 6 years. The red rock really grows to be a part of you. I loved it there, too. But St. G has definitely fulfilled its part in my life.

Interesting facts.. no pressure.

My life is in a serious transitory stage. I've never had so many changes in such a short period of time. I'm getting married. I left USU. I'm moving (4 times...wow). I live with my father for the first time in 13 years. I've never felt so lost and guided at the same time. 

I have this inclination (more like OCD, really) to write all of this in teeeeny font. Somehow I think that looks more organized and professional. But then you couldn't read it. I'm resisting. It's hard.

My favorite colors (actually the only ones I can really stand) are red, burnt orange, black, amber yellow, midnight blue, and some variations of green. I hate pastels, pink, purple, and most colors that normal people like.

I express myself in a very direct, forward way. Apparently that offends people who don't know me well. I find this humorous, and somewhat frustrating to deal with.

I strongly dislike having ambient noise. Music while studying or falling asleep does not work. I don't know how people deal with that. It's awful.

For some reason I think of facts as elongated explanations. That's a shorter fact.

I'm incredibly picky about spelling and grammar. As such, I think advertising and people in general are definitely going to English hell. 

I have this secret love for ultra urban spaces. Stained concrete floors, old renovated brick walls, high shafted ceilings, black countertops, dark wood.. I used to want a house like that. 

Maybe I still do.

I don't eat seafood. I think it's mostly psychological, but that doesn't change my opinion.

Except tuna.. but that's really rare and doesn't count. Chicken of the sea [somehow] = chicken.

I'm the youngest of six children, and have always felt a little intimidated by the standard set for me. My family rocks. I rock a bit less, but always try my best. 

I think marrying Michael is the best decision I've ever made. 

That fact isn't going to change, ever.

I always drive with my right hand. It's a habit I'm trying to break. Eh.. a habit I'm failing to break.

I do my smileys backwards. See exhibit A. (:

Because on MSN Instant Messenger, :) shows up as an emoticon. I don't like emoticons. Therefore, (: .

I used to be a very avid reader. I'd read a book a day, standard. About 300 pages or so. I miss it terribly. It's one of the things I'm looking forward to doing in my spare time. I haven't decided what's next on the list. 

Either Wuthering Heights or Brand New World. 

I love my friends. People are everything to me. More than grades or success. More than personal satisfaction. I make an effort to let my friends know that. My blunt, open personality serves to make a lot of embarrassing and hilarious conversations there. But it's worth it. 

Intro, facts, blog.

Check.

Rational thoughts and how to avoid them

Happy post-Singles' Awareness Day, everyone. For the record, I would not recommend spending it without your reason-why-you-don't-count-as-single. Though it does help when they send roses, cards, and chocolate across the continent. Yet another reason why I love the man in -----> that photo. 

Yes, after the next post, it will no longer point to said photo. I get that. It's for effect, work with me.

Moving on.

3 Reasons why I would never start a blog:

#1: It's a fad. I hate fads. I avoid fads at all cost.. like Justin Beiber, Twilight, and hole-ey jeans. Harry Potter is the exception. It just is.

Mandatory Distinction: If I get into the fad before it's a fad, that doesn't count. It's fair game. Thus why Facebook and Harry Potter are okay. 

#2: I don't have time. --Okay, this is a lie. I didn't have time. I do now. Number two is invalid.

#3: I have nothing to write! Yes, I could rant. I can. I do. But would you read that? ...okay, would you read that consistently? Think no. 

Me neither. Therefore, we've come up with a plan. We're following a fad, using time, and writing for [at least] 30 days. Thereby breaking through the rational thoughts and doing it anyway. 

Why? 

Because rationality is the reason none of us ever do anything worthwhile. And I love writing.

Day 0: The 30 Day Challenge Explanation and Description

Day 1: Introduce, recent picture of yourself, 15 interesting facts

Day 2: Meaning behind your blog name
Day 3: Your first love

Day 4: Your parents

Day 5: A song to match your mood

Day 6: A picture of something that makes you happy

Day 7: Favorite movies

Day 8: A place you've traveled to

Day 9: A favorite picture of your best friend

Day 10: Something you're afraid of

Day 11: Favorite TV shows

Day 12: Something you don't leave the house without

Day 13: Goals

Day 14: A picture of you last year - how have you changed?

Day 15: Bible verse

Day 16: Dream house

Day 17: Something you're looking forward to

Day 18: Favorite Place to Eat

Day 19: Something you miss

Day 20: Nicknames

Day 21: Favorite Picture of yourself ALL TIME Why?

Day 22: What's in your purse?

Day 23: Favorite Movie

Day 24: Something you've learned

Day 25: Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs

Day 26: Your Dream Wedding

Day 27: Original Photo of the city you live in

Day 28: Something that stresses you out

Day 29: 3 Wishes

Day 30: a picture of yourself this day and 5 good things that happened since you started the challenge

I'm thinking these are all up to general interpretation/change and may not stay in order. We'll see. Go team.

Calvin and Hobbes?