Northern California

So I'm not even going to bother with some lame excuse about why I don't blog enough, because it will just be an excuse and most likely, lame. Instead, I will blog about the most exciting thing that has happened this year so far: vacation!

In case you didn't know (and if you don't, consider yourself very lucky), Jason finished his first year of the PhD program in Economics up at the University of Utah in May. Since this particular PhD program LOVES to be different (teaching Marx? Who does that?), Jason had to take qualifying exams in the end of May/first part of June. These are comprehensive, 4.5 hour exams that he studied for 8-10 hours a day for an entire month. Wondering why he hasn't been answering your phone calls?  That's why. Anyways, he finished his last test on June 8 (results pending), and two days later we left for Northern California.

Day One: Salt Lake to Reno

We decided to take my Mom's car on our trip. She has an automatic Honda Accord, whereas I have a manual Honda Accord. Why didn't I want to take my manual? Would you want to drive anywhere on this in a stick shift?

Yeah, didn't think so. So we took my mom's car. The route from SLC to Reno was fairly uneventful. We saw this:


The Ghostbusters car, which was apparently attacked by a team of vampires, and this was the unfortunate result.

The crazy sculpture made by a Swedish guy who thought the Salt Flats needed some vegetation (hence the name "Tree of Life)

America's largest BM, right there on the hillside

We also saw a whole lot of Northern Nevada, which is so ugly that it does not deserve to pictured on the Internets.  When we finally reached Reno (the "Biggest Little Mistake You'll Ever Make"), we realized why people go to Las Vegas instead. However, we did go to an awesome resturant called the Black Bear Diner, where Jason ate his weight in pancakes. 

Day Two: Sierra Nevadas, Shopping and Jelly Belly Factory (and the day we forgot to use our camera)
After our fun-filled night in Reno, we headed back on our journey West through the Sierra Nevadas. They were very beautiful, and though we did not stop and hike around, I could tell it would be fun.  The Donner Pass rest area was closed, so we could not take an inappropriate photo me pretending to chew on Jason's arm (so the Internets will just have to imagine what that looked like).  After driving for a while, we decided to stop in Vacaville for lunch and to go shopping at the factory outlet there. Then we headed to the Jelly Belly Factory nearby, along with every child 6 years and up in the Sacramento area.  It was fun to go to the factory, and it gave us the golden opportunity to buy Belly Flops, which are Jelly Bellies which did not pass the rigourous test of being shaped like a jelly bean, so are therefore super cheap.  After the factory, we headed to Newark, suburb of San Jose, where our hotel was located.  On the way, we stopped in at Frye's (a giant electronics store which does not exist in Utah, for whatever reason) so that Jason could get his tech nerdiness out, and then went to the world's busiest Costco, where we were accosted by shopping carts in ways I never knew possible!

Day Three: San Jose
Since this trip was meant to celebrate Jason being done with school, I let him pick most of the things for us to do. Ever since junior high, he has wanted to go the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose.  The house was built by Sarah Winchester, the heir of the Winchester Rifle company and more than a little bit crazy. She was convinced that the spirits killed by Winchester rifles were haunting her, and the only way to make them go away was to continually build this giant mansion.  It isn't really haunted, but it is cool to walk through and see all the crazy aspects of the house, like a door that opens to nowhere and windows in the floor. We couldn't take pictures inside the house, but here is what it looked like from the outside:

After the mystery house, we went across the street to a giant shopping mall (notice a theme?) that had lots of cool stores.  We walked around for a while, and eventually went back to our car to get our lunch. While we were there, we accidently locked our keys in the car. Now, if this ever happens to you, make sure:
A) You have AAA
B) You are parked in a parking garage for a major landmark in the city
Why?  Because it took about 20 minutes total to call AAA, get a locksmith where we were and get the car unlocked.  And it was free!  In fact, we were able to go across the street to do more shopping that afternoon, until it got to be a 100 degrees and we went back to our hotel for the night.


Day Four: San Francisco
We took the BART into San Francisco so that we wouldn't have to deal with traffic and/or 31 degree hills. Our boat to Alcatraz left at 10:30, so we walked from the BART station up to Pier 33 to wait for the boat. As we were boarding, they would take a picture of you in front of a picture of Alcatraz, which is could buy later for some exhorbiant amount of money. Jason told the cameraman that he couldn't take the picture because he believes it takes a part of his soul, but all they did was laugh at us. The ferry ride over was really pretty.  Somehow, we managed to a pick a day where there was no fog and it wasn't cold in San Francisco, which made things much more pleasant. Here is Alcatraz:

The San Francisco Skyline

The Golden Gate Bridge

We also saw some prison stuff, but didn't take any pictures of it.  After we coming back from Alcatraz, we went to lunch on Fisherman's Wharf (touristy, but least it tasted good) and watched the sea lions roll all over each other at Pier 39.  We walked up the Embarcado to Ghiradehlli Square and got really good ice cream. From there we decided we wanted to walk to Union Square, which had a lot of good shopping places. We had a vague idea about how San Francisco was laid out, and on the street map we found, it really seemed pretty close. 2 hours and at least one blister later, after walking through some really nice neighborhoods (and one really bad neighborhood that we really don't like to talk about), we finally made it to Union Square. The highlight?  The guard outside of Tiffany's jewelry store was armed with an automatic shotgun-bet that deterstheft!  After walking around Union Square and looking at some pretty buildings:

We headed back to our hotel for the day. Wait, you might be asking. Why didn't you go to Chinatown?  Two reasons:

1. Newark, the place where our hotel was located, was pretty much like Chinatown, but not for tourists. I know we live a sheltered existence here in Utah, but being in Newark was the first time we really felt like we were in the minority.  Therefore, I didn't feel the need to go to Chinatown to buy cheap food and trinkets-I could just walk across the street of my hotel.
2. Once, a long time ago in the nineties, Jason went to San Francisco with his family. While there, he needed to use the restroom, which should be a simple and free task. Instead, he paid $10 to pee in the world's most digusting bathroom. And that's why Jason never wants to go back to Chinatown.  Rational? Not really. But does Chinatown really deserve another chance from Jason H. Flurer? No!


Day 5: Point Reyes National Seashore
We headed up north towards Ukiah, which was our next stop. On the way, we decided to stop at the Point Reyes Seashore. Neither of us had been here before, and it was worth the trip. Since we only had a couple of hours, we decided to go check out Chimney Rock, with was the point furthest out to the ocean.

As we were walking up the trail, Jason saw a faint path that went to the edge of the cliff. After following it up, we could see a ton of seals sunbathing on the beach. Well, Jason could tell they were sunbathing-I thought they were dead. 

Here is the Chimney Rock. Not sure why it's called that, but it was amazing to watch the waves plunge through it over and over.

A nice guy offered to take our picture. How sweet!

Day 6: Humboldt Forest State Park
Because we didn't want to deal with the crowds at any of the national parks (like Yosemite or Sequoia), we decided to go up North to this state park that is known for its beautiful redwood forests. It was pretty, calm and isolated-perfect for taking goofy photos!

Jason's very excited to get to know this tree

This is totally being submitted to Awkward Family Photos

Taken specifically for Jason's Facebook profile

Bet you didn't know we were secretly tree huggers, did you?

Day 7:  Back to the Sierra Nevadas

We headed back via the California Lake District (which I didn't know existed, until I drove through it) and hit the Sierra Nevadas again. This time, we decided to stop and enjoy some nature. Since Lake Tahoe was a little out of the way, we stopped at Donner Lake to walk around and take some pictures. Like all the nature we found on our trip, it was very beautiful. 

 

 

 

 After our brief sojourn in this beautiful place, we had to go back to the most unbeautiful place, Reno. But we did find a Trader Jo's (which is super awesome) and bought some alcohol (for my parent's, as a thank you for letting us use their car). 

Day 8: And then we came back

Freak Out Friday

In an effort to keep this blog updated so that my many Internet readers can, well, have something to read, I am going to reinstate Freak Out Fridays. Maybe not reinstate, since there is only one other previous Freak Out Friday to speak of, but lets see how long it lasts...

Freak Out # 1: Free Dave Matthews Band Concert

Apparently, since they canceled their Utah concerts twice in a row (2008 and 2009), Dave Matthews has decided to give free tickets to everyone who bought a ticket for their show last year. After those individuals get their tickets, any leftovers will be dispersed to the public. Need proof? Check out this article. This will be the first Dave Matthews concert I've ever been able to afford-count me in!

Freak Out # 2: JD Salinger died

And is probably rolling in his grave over all the media coverage (he was a hermit, you know). And worried that when they make the movie version, they will use Zac Efron...

Freak Out # 3: Lion King tickets

Sunday, August 15, front row! Front row of the balcony section, but you take what you can get for $45. And just in case you were wondering, Jason will not be a participant in this event. He isn't so much into the singing and dancing lions...

Freak Out # 4: Chris Matthews quote about Obama
I don't care what you meant, you should have thought about what people were going to think you meant.

Freak Out # 5: The IPad

Ok, it looks cool, but could they really not think of a better name? Hmm, what's one letter off from their most profitable product? What will require the least amount of change to our marketing campaigns? What will make everyone immediately think of feminine hygiene products? Was this your plan, Apple? Because it is was, you succeeded!

Here we go again...

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before? Went on a road trip with friends

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Well, I don't even remember what my resolutions were, so I guess the answer is no...
As for this year, I'll stick with no..

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Yes, various friends and family. Good for them.

4. Did anyone close to you die? Thankfully, no family members. A woman from my home ward who was a big influence when I was younger did, and it was very sad.

5. What countries did you visit? Unfortunately, only this one.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? Less stress!

7. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Surviving the first semester of Jason's graduate program

8. What was your biggest failure? Gaining way too much weight.

9. Did you suffer illness or injury? No, I was lucky, healthwise.

10. What was the best thing you bought? A new washer and dryer.

11. Where did most of your money go? Gambling and ceramic cat figurines (that's the answer Jason forced me to write). Our house (typical) and school stuff.

12. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Our vacations.

13. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
a) Sadder b)Fatter c)richer

14. What do you wish you’d done more of? Exercise and reading

15. What do you wish you’d done less of? Eating

16. What was the best book you read? The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by that dead Swedish guy, SuperFreakeconomics (just two words-monkey prostitutes), Mudbound (I can't remember the author's name)

17. What did you want and get? An Ipod touch and a new washer and dryer

18. What did you want and not get? A new, non-white sink and a snowblower

19. What kept you sane? Am I sane?

20. Who did you miss? Jason

21. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? The day we found out Jason was accepted to the U and received funding (free money, woo-hoo!)

22. What song will always remind you of 2009? The Killers new album, especially since I saw them in concert

23. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009? "Well, at least I managed to brush my hair this morning..."

24. Who was the best new person (people) you met? My brother-in-law, Isaac

25. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009. Tigers love pepper. They hate cinnamon.

The Democratic process at work...

Nation's Morons March On Washington State

It must be the 100 AD model...

New quiz

1. First thing you wash in the shower? My hair, doesn't everyone?

2. What color is your favorite hoodie? I don't like hoodies, but my favorite jacket is my light blue fleece

3. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again? Of course

4. Do you plan outfits? Yes, especially if I am going to the gym in the morning

5. How are you feeling RIGHT now? Tired since I just took an hour long nap

6. Whats the closest thing to you that's red? One of Jason's economics textbooks in his new "home" ie our office

7. Tell me about the last dream you remember having? I was driving to Heber City talking to my mom on the phone. That's all I remember

8. Did you meet anybody new today? Nope

9. What are you craving right now? The ice cream I bought yesterday with chocolate sprinkles. And soon craving will become eating...


10. Do you floss? I do, but I hate it since my gums bleed. Gingivitus, here I come!


11. What comes to mind when I say cabbage? Those dolls

12. Are you emotional? More often than not

13. Have you ever counted to 1,000? Way better things to do with my time...

14. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it? Lick it, otherwise it hurts your teeth

15. Do you like your hair? Yes, I really like the cut I got a few months ago. The color is starting to go, so I will need to dye it again soon.

16. Do you like yourself? Sure, someone has to...

17. Would you go out to eat with George W. Bush? Yes, as long as it was Will Ferrell pretending to be George W. Bush

18. What are you listening to right now? Jason playing his video game for the last time until being imprisoned by school

19. Are your parents strict? A little bit, but I was always a really obedient kid so I never really had a problem with it

20. Would you go sky diving? Nope

21. Do you like cottage cheese? Yes, I had some for lunch today

22. Have you ever met a celebrity? This might not seem very cool, but I met Margaret Atwood (my favorite author) and one had lunch with Ghandi's grandson (very nice, as you might expect). I was in the same room as Ewan Macgregor in London, and that was by far the most exciting, though no meeting occurred.

23. Do you rent movies often? Only from Redbox, and not too often. I am trying to enjoy the glorious things digital cable has to offer until we have to get rid of it...

24. Is there anything sparkly in the room you're in? Yes, my sexy vampire boyfriend

25. How many countries have you visited? Canada, Mexico, England, France, Switzerland, Hungary and Austria. I have also been in the Munich airport, so let's throw Germany in there too

26. Have you made a prank phone call? Nope, remember how I said I was an obedient child

27. Ever been on a train? Yes, in Europe

28. Brown or white eggs? White eggs, there's no difference with what is inside...

29.Do you have a cell-phone? Well, since this is not 1950, yes I have cell phone. It blue and kind of crappy, but for the 6 times a week that I use it, it works

30. Do you use chap stick? Sometimes, I like the ones from Burts Bees

31. Do you own a gun? Me personally, no. I have no desire to ever touch or own a gun of any kind. Jason, of course, has two, but he is very responsible with them.

32. Can you use chop sticks? Nope, but it's ok, because I'm American, and we use forks

33. Who are you going to be with tonight? Jason and Co.

34. Are you too forgiving? Not as much as I'd like

35. Ever been in love? Yes

36. What is your best friend(s) doing tomorrow? Starting school up at the U of U

37. Ever have cream puffs? Yes, they are ok

38. Last time you cried? Today during the temple dedication

39. What was the last question you asked? Are you playing with your Wii? (to Jason)

40. Favorite time of the year? Spring

41. Do you have any tattoos? No, but based on the amount of time I have been asked this question, maybe I should get one...

42. Are you sarcastic? First time reading this blog, I guess....

43. Have you ever seen The Butterfly Effect? No, I make it a point not to watch anything where Ashton Kutcher attempts to act. Kelso on "That 70s Show" doesn't count, because that's not acting for him...

44. Ever walked into a wall? Yes, but not every day

45. Favorite color? Blue

46. Have you ever slapped someone? Nope

47. Is your hair curly? I wish

48. What was the last CD you bought? The new Green Day CD in May. I liked it, especially the song 21 Guns

49. Do looks matter? Sure, why not

50. Could you ever forgive a cheater? I haven't had to make that decision before, so I don't have an answer

51. Is your phone bill sky high? Way too high based on my usage (25 times a month)

52. Do you like your life right now? Hmm...since work is crazy and I am about to become a school widow, we'll put this question on TBA for now

53. Do you sleep with the TV on? I can't even sleep if Jason is breathing too loud, so TV is definately out


54. Can you handle the truth? Thanks, Jack Nicholson

55. Do you have good vision? Getting worse by the minute


56. Do you hate or dislike more than 3 people? Yes


57. How often do you talk on the phone? Not much (see previous phone related questions above)

58. The last person you held hands with? Jason

59. What are you wearing? Since it is a Sunday afternoon, a ratty t-shirt and what Jason like to call "I give up" pants (otherwise known as sweatpants)

60.What is your favorite animal? My golden retriever Muffin

61. Where was your default picture taken at? Wait, I need to get one of those

62. Can you hula hoop? Not as well as I can jump rope

63. Do you have a job? Yes, someone needs to bring in the money while Jason "works" on his PhD

64. What was the most recent thing you bought? A longboard for Jason to ride around the U, though so far, he has only ridden it through our house

65. Have you ever crawled through a window? Nope, thankfully

Wedding Day-Jason's version

1) When was your wedding day?
Septebruary 3th (The day before Casino Royale came out)

2) What day of the week was it?
Yellow

4) How many in your wedding party?
Don't know, I was too busy getting down and boogying.

5) How many guest were invited to your wedding?
So many, I had to take off my shoes to count them.

6) How long did you wait to Tie The Knot after your proposal?
I wore sandals that day, so I guess a day or two.

8) Who did you hire as your photographer & videographer?
Hire? Hiring is for suckers. We asked our Aryan friend Tim to take pics. He said yes and didn't show, so his Dad filled in. (His pops is a pro, so it worked out well.)

9) Did you have a DJ or a band?
We had DJ Abraham Lincoln, BOOYAH!

10) Who walked you down the aisle?
My pimp cane was my only support.

11) What color were the bridesmaid dresses and guys vests?
The bridesmaids wore a dresses that transformed them all into banana runts. The guys wore "vests" made of their own body hair, cuz they were all so manly (Tim wasn't there).

12) Who was your Maid Of Honor/Best Man?
My maid of honor was KITT, the car from Knightrider. The best man was Shaft.

13) Did you have a Bridal Shower?
Yes it was like the raining men song, except with brides, so it wasn't gay.

14) What type of limo did you get?
I don't remember, but bigfoot was the driver, and we stopped and got funnel cake. Man that hairy bastard loves funnel cake.

15) Where did you go for your Bachelorette/Bachelor Party?
I went to Vegas with my three best friends that anyone could have. One of them slipped us Rufies (or rapies as we later called them). To make a long story short we did some crazy stuff, and forgot all of it. Oh yeah, Nate married a stripper. I may have mixed it up with a movie or song or something.

16) What type of wedding gown/tux did you two wear?
It showed off my tits, so that was awesome. The only tux worn that night was by the penguin we purchased on the black market. We made it wear a tux to be ironic.

17) How was the weather?
It was so awesome that birds heads exploded due to the sheer improbability of the weather being so badass.

18) Where did you go on your Honeymoon?
Orem.

19) What was your favorite part of your wedding day?
When we stopped of at the Taco stand outside of the dumpy Sears on state street. I had digestional problems afterwards, but it was way worth it.

20) How long have you been married?
Many moons (sounds like I'm Native American, doesn't it?)

21) What were the flowers like?
The were like the flowers on Super Mario Bros. They spit out fire, but after they went into the pipe, you could go in and collect coins without getting hurt.

22) Where was your wedding ceremony?
On the top of Mount Doom.

23) Where was your reception?
State Fair Grounds.

24) Where did you spend your wedding night?
Taco stand by the dumpy Sears on State Street.

25) What was your first dance song?
"Hail to The Chief"