recoleta

Is it weird for me to say that I really love cemeteries? (clarification- I love cemeteries where no one I know are there)
I just think they are so beautiful and peaceful.  The words people leave to describe the ones they love.  Words like beloved or precious. How did the ones they left behind choose to describe them after they were gone?
You can feel the love that people have for one another at a cemetery.

One cemetery in particular is the Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires.  It's almost like a village.  The iron carvings, the statues.  The time and care these people took so that the people they cared about had a beautiful place to rest just astounds me.  I will admit that while looking at pictures of this place I was listening to a song "The Beacon" by A Fine Frenzy. The words of the song seemed to match the images and I even teared up a little bit. 
Missing someone, loving someone, wishing they were here but knowing they are better where they are.  These are all emotions that we've experienced before.  Gloria Vanderbilt once said that loss is what unites us as people. And she's right. We all have or will lose someone we care tremendously for. We are woven together by sorrow.  It's something to think about when going through life.  To treat people well and good.  You have no idea what they are going through.
Anyway I'll step down from my soap box now and share with you some images from this breathtaking place. 

and the song...

The Recoleta Cemetery

(Recoleta means retired or recollect)

(the entrance...can you guess what that means?)

*Eva Peron was buried here also..just a fun fact

The Retun of Friday Spotlight...

The anticipation is over!  Friday Spotlight is finally back!  Have you been anxiously waiting with bated breath? (I would insert a story here about how my whole life I always thought the phrase was "faded breath" and my dear sweet friend Jen had to correct me but...I'll save myself the embarrassment)
Anyway today's spotlight is my long time friend Kristin Michelle Davis.  Kristin and I met at BYU-Idaho many  moons ago.  That was the year I had the BEST roommates anyone could ever ask for. We had some majorly good times as well as some tough times.  But we got through them all like a family and I am so grateful that I have these girls in my life still.  Kristin is always the life of the party but always there if you need a friend too which is the best combination in my opinion.  So without further ado (what does that even mean?)...I present you with Kristin Michelle.

Three greatest achievements:
1. Graduating college (Go Chico State!)
2. Living in Europe (Germany was an experience)
3. Staying active in the church

Three names you go by:
1. Kristin
2.Sister
3. Dink (by my neices)

Three things that scare you:
1. Heights (I get a little anxious going over bridges but I'm a baby)
2. the dark (I have a big imagination)
3. poor health
*Kristin stays in good health by exercising.  Specifically to "Buns of Steel".

To anyone who has not seen/worked out to this video stop what you are doing and do it now.  It gives you a great work out but occasionally we would sit down and watch it for pure entertainment purposes.  The host of the show Greg Smithy quickly became our mascot (he is not only devilishly handsome but also hilarious).  We had a framed picture of him on our TV which I inherited when we moved out (I still have it on my dresser).  What can I say...the heart wants what the heart wants.   

after some research I found this video...just a little snack for you that will make you desperately want more


*Note to Kristin- sorry for turning this post all about you into a bunch of Greg Smithy word vomit.

Three things that make you happy:
1. Traveling (anywhere along the coast or Europe)
2. good music (especially ones in the park, farmer's markets, or festivals)
3. being with friends and family (cheesy I know)
*might I add our "margarita" nights made Kristin very happy as evidenced in this picture.  We used to mix Sprite with those strawberry margarita mixes....so delish and fun (as also evidenced by the paper umbrellas which just scream "good time")

Three things you hate:
1. kidney stones (holy cow those little things are painful)
2. bugs
3. bleu cheese

Three things you are wearing right now:
1. glasses (my new Coach ones :)
2. ring
3. socks (boring white)
*Note to Kristin...did they happen to be "No Nonsense" socks?

Three things about the opposite sex that appeal to you:
1. sense of humor (I probably get that from growing up on "Seinfeld" thanks Dad)
2. smile
3. eyes

Three careers you've considered:
1. social worker
2. art teacher
3. childbirth educator

Three things you want to do before you die:
1. travel (everywhere!!!)
2. get my Masters degree (in what I haven't quite figured out yet)
3. go para sailing again

Describe yourself in one word:
Magical :) (I can't think of a real answer!)

*I would agree Kristin...you are completely magical

And now for no reason at all here is a picture of Kristin looking amazing and me looking a.) homeless and b.) like I'm being strangled by my scarf.  This was our very last family dinner!

Kristin I'm like seriously missing you right now!!!! :(

home

This song reminds me of all the best things in life…the people that you love and are lucky enough to dance in the company of. Despite “Home” being about a couple in love, I can break it into so many pieces and apply it to the individual people in my life that I share these feeling for.

“Moats and boats and waterfalls, alley-ways and pay phone calls…I’ve been everywhere with you. We laugh until we think we’ll die, barefoot on a summer night, nothing new is sweeter than with you…Home, let me go home. Home is whenever I’m with you.”

The day I consumed a lot of Gobstoppers

some days you just need to dedicate to laughter.  today I did that.  I should mention I was borderline delirious today (going to bed at 4 and waking up at 7 will do that to you).
I was also under the influence of diet coke, everlasting Gobstoppers, and Journey's Greatest Hits all day.
Everyone deserves a good LOL however so I thought I would share.

Lets start with some photobombs shall we?

Always delightful to ruin nice memory photos with some family issues...

Limo < Stormtrooper

(and yeah I know what a stormtrooper is)

And this....is just almost too disturbing for words (but don't worry...I have way more disturbing images coming up)

Many people may feel as if their precious family memories are being violated by perfect strangers so they may want a re-do...which brings us to awkward family photos

1. Charles in charge

He's the man of the house and he can also show you to your table

2. I'm this tall...

Let's see the angel and devil sport a pink leotard and mullet

3. Bedtime stories

 Sleep tight.

4. Grey's Anatomy

 Even in gray this gentleman refuses to blend into the background

5. Henhouse

Finally, a photo of girls in prom dresses holding chickens that makes perfect sense

6. Roman shade

Clearly all the other props in the studio were in use

and finally for all you romantics out there

The closeness of you

Because when you're head over heels in love...why shout it from the roof tops?

Whew.  After all that awkward-ness I bet ya'll are hungry right?  How about some...cake?

All tucked in and ready to kill

Is it impolite to suck frosting off the baby's leg?

 It is? Well how about the head?

No?  Fine I'll just collect my watermelon and go then.

If babies aren't your style how about some nice umm...birthday cakes?

Does that really say "Happy Birdholq"?

Why yes.  Yes it does.

Either "Binday" or "Benday"  Either way that Edgar must be a colorful character

For the 1920's/Newsies lover in all of us

"Boithday"...an offer you can't refuse

Lesson #256- don't order a cake when you have a cold

And finally for the cake that had me laughing so hard I couldn't breathe (maybe I had one Gobstopper too many)

Happy Barthy.

Not just "Barthy," mind you: it's "Barthy, period." No exclamation points, no dashes: just period. Yeah. Put that little pine branch on your number 4 candle and smoke it.

As some of you may know I am a huge fan of University of Kentucky.  UK Wildcats.  I also am a fan of cake.  Let's put those two things together!  Sounds like a good idea right?
Here is what the UK logo looks like...

And this....is not ok.

And from my own personal collection of photos:

  This is my best friend Allison.  And yes that cake says "Happy Birthday Frank".  Similiar but...not exactly correct.  Don't ask.

Stay tuned.  Tomorrow I'll be sharing what horrible people have done to Mickey Mouse in the form of pastries.  You will be shocked and disgusted.  I'm shuddering just thinking about it.

Until then.
Please don't ever give me a baby cake.  I'm not kidding.

*Side note: Had another job interview today.  I think it went really well.  This is like the job I've wanted more than anything since I very first filled out the application.  All prayers in my behalf are welcome...you should probably include my family's sanity in that prayer after my day of sharing life's hilarity with them (they did not think I was so hilarious.  They did however want me to be psychologically evaluated)

*all photos via photo bombs, awkward family photos, and cake wrecks