Highlights from March

This was our first trip to Magic Mountain. We had a blast! Alisa was a little nervous at first (so was I, let's be real here), but we had a great time (or at least we survived). Then we went to the beach. Seth and Alisa had never seen the ocean before, so it was fun to watch them embrace the waves. We had a great time together! Thanks family for coming!

Oh, they say when you're married in June . . .

I have been negligent. I am so sorry, gentle reader. I have no good excuse. In my defense, I could say that I've been a bit otherwise engaged (no pun intended), and I'm amazed at how many little details there are to iron out.

Last weekend, Brent and I went to Arizona to procure a marriage license (a must if you plan on getting married. Fancy that). While we were there we got to catch up with family (Brent met more for the first time. Coming from the boy who only has two cousins which he may have seen twice in his life, he doesn't believe a person can have more family than I do. I reassured him that this is just the tip of the iceburg.) I got to have bridal shots taken (for previews, please visit http://nikaelacurtis.typepad.com/ ) and I had a bridal shower (thanks everyone!), we ate good food, laughed a lot, and slept less than is really healthy, but who can sleep when there's so much to do?

On top of our own wedding, we've had a lot on our proverbial plates. Brent's mom was married today, he had finals last week and a job interview for an internship this summer. I've been trying to be supportive and trying to keep up with everything at the same time. The census at our hospital was just upped to 50 - a major feat for us. Of course, not all of those patients need speech therapy, but as the caseload in general grows, so does our little speech caseload. Life just gets to be busy sometimes.

I have to take a deep breath and remind myself why I'm in the situation I am right now. Being engaged is not my favorite state of being. I must say though, it has its shining moments. Some of the perks:
-looking forward to Brent coming home from work
-hearing "I love you" every day
-saying "I love you" every day
-planning for my future home
-looking forward to another trip to Mesa
-more time spent on the phone with family and friends
-hearing that song from Seven Brides and Seven Brothers at every turn (I almost want to dance in my one-piece underwear and sing along)
-admiring the new ring on my finger and being overwhelmed by the incredible significance and symbolism it
-being incandescently happy
-and so on. I won't get carried away here.

Lastly, the announcements are going out soon, so if you want one and haven't sent me your address, I make no guarantees. I love you all! Wish me luck, it's going to be a whirlwind ride up till the end! :)

It's official!

"Chocolate milk is my favorite fruit."

In other news, I'm engaged to be married to Brent Aaron Hill on June 14th in the Mesa Arizona Temple. That's why I've been so quiet from this end.

Attached is a picture of the ring. Love you all! Please send your addresses! I'm so happy!!!

Yeah, wit kind-of runs in the family

My sister says the funniest things. One of her earliest was: "Chocolate milk is my favorite fruit." I think my personal favorite was the time she brought home her math paper with the problem that read "What is the difference between 8 and 15?" Her answer? "8 is an even number and 15 is odd." Technically, a very correct answer.

This weekend, my family came out to see me in sunny California. This warranted a first-ever trip to the beach for my two youngest siblings, and a trip to Magic Mountain. Being the not-so-avid-roller-coaster-riders that we are, there was some almost-universal trepidation upon seeing so many iron edifices cutting into the Valencia skyline.

We warmed up with a few of the classics, but after lunch we decided it was time to tackle Goliath. Looking at that 255 ft drop didn't exactly instill me with warm feelings of peace and serenity. I have a fear of falling and a sensitive equilbrium, but there was no way I was going to chicken out of this ride.

As we advanced to the front of the line, my sister (now age 8) expressed her concerns about the upcoming "adventure." By this time now, though, I was getting excited. The rest of the bunch was too. In an attempt to mollify her concern, my mom said, "Look, those people who are just getting off are smiling. They had a great time." And then came the classic Alisa line. Without missing a beat, she returned, "Yeah, they're just smiling because they're grateful to be getting off!"

She may have had a point.

Favorite overheard conversation of the week . . .

Sometimes I love eavesdropping. I know it's rude. I try not to listen in, but sometimes I just can't help myself.

So, this week's golden comes from work. *Names have been changed to protect privacy. Upon hearing that she now had to drink thickened liquids (not the most pleasant experience -- trust me, I've tried them), *Jane's significant other says, "Well, honey, gone are the days of sitting on the curb drinking whiskey." I love my job.

The week in review

A sad passing. I was sad when I heard the news, but I don't think it really hit me until I watched the funeral yesterday. President Hinckley will be sorely missed. So much has been said about how he cared for the individual. I know that my life was individually influenced by his service as the 15th Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In remembering him and his life this week, I feel like I have some personal experiences with him, even though I never had the opportunity to look him in the eye as I shook his hand. He was truly "a giant among men" as has been said. I'm happy for him to be moving on to the next step.

In other news, I had the opportunity to visit a dear friend last weekend. It had been far too long and we had a fabulous time! We visited the Jelly Belly Factory, walked along the American River, saw some of Napa Valley, and laughed the whole time. Thanks for a great visit, K!

I think I will call him the Goose Whisperer.

Ooh, in other exciting news. I ran into a girl I've met since I've moved here unexpectedly at the store the other day. It's like I live here now.

Silence is golden?

I'm so sorry! Yes, it has been a long time since my wit has graced your eyes, gentle readers. I find I have been a bit preoccupied. In my defense, I do not have internet access at my place of residence as yet, and thus, when I am free to type, I am left with no way to get that typing to you. I travesty I am working hard to remedy, I assure you.

I know that I have been tagged (thank you, Sarah), and I'm currently formulating some responses. I won't promise good ones, but they are harder than I thought they'd be. "Give me just a little more time" (Sorry for the mo-town moment, but I couldn't resist).

And now, pictures as promised:

And some from New Year's Eve. Yes, we matched on purpose. Yes, he's really 6'8".

As for the installment of wit, I have taken umbrage with the makers of nylons. Due to my height, more often than not, I have to buy a pair that is sized the same as a mattress. That's just insulting! Who wants to wear nylons sized like a mattress? I mean really? ("Oh, last year I could fit into a twin, but ever since my thyroid went berzerk, it's nothing but California Kings for me"). It's just rude.