West Virginia CD

My mother is a wise woman. When I was about 12 years old, I told her that I was bored. She replied, "Mandy, you just have to make your own fun." I have been following her advice since that day. Another thing about me is that when I set my mind to do something, I want to do it as well as possible and to make it creative. All of these quirks have come together to create this lovely picture above.

A few friends and I are vacationing in West Virginia for Labor Day. This was was my train of thought, "Hmm... West Virginia. What could make this perfect? Aww..... a soundtrack to really complete the moment. What type of songs? There must be some country, southern rock, and something with a banjo. And if there is a CD, there must be a CD cover. If there is a CD cover, it must be exactly right."

Now we have the final product. The trip planning is complete.

***

Public Service Announcement # 35: If you'd like to make the perfect mix click here: http://www.ehow.com/how_2047277_great-mix-cd.html

The Wrath of E.A. Poe

Mary, John, Mandy, David, and Dan are survivors of the wrath of Poe.

This past weekend I organized a trip to Baltimore. I have never had a bad day in Baltimore and this day did not disappoint. First of all, it was hot. I mean hot. We stuck it out and made our way to the Harbor Craft and Music Festival. We watched a few bands, had a photo shoot, and bought a few things - mainly water to keep us hydrated. We walked to Little Italy, where we ate at Amicci's, had dessert at Vaccaros, and were taught how to play Boccie Ball on the public courts.

The plan was to go to the Harbor for some free entertainment and then a group of us would make our way to see Edgar Allen Poe's grave site -- so creepy. However, we got our dessert and it started to rain. When I say rain, I mean pour. It was amazing. We did not know what to do and the other cars full of our friends decided to go home. Mary said, "I think that we should go see Poe." As she said "Poe", the lightening crashed so close to us that we could hear it crackle. It was crazy. The lightening kept hitting too close for comfort as we desperately searched for Mary's car. We got in the car and drove to Poe's grave in order to undo whatever we did when we said his name the first time.

I have seen the grave many times, since it close to the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus, but it has never been creepier than it was that night. With the rain, lightening, thunder, Poe's white headstone seemed to glow. David tried to jump the fence but we talked some sense into him.

All in all, a great, creepy experience.

Public Service Announcement # 34: If you'd like to know more about visiting the Edgar Allen Poe site click here: http://www.ehow.com/how_2071666_visit-baltimores-edgar-allan-poe.html

This is MY America

Tonight I went to the U.S. Air force Memorial. The U.S. Air Force Concert Band was playing some classical arrangements. Each of the band members were dressed in their military uniform. I wish you all could have been there with me. From the memorial, you can see all of D.C. It was breathtaking to be able to listen to members of the U.S. Air Force play patriotic music all while overlooking D.C.

In front of us, were two young mothers with their young children. The girls were dressed in seersucker and they had ponytail braids. The children were coloring in coloring books, kissing their dolls and putting them to sleep, playing with toy planes, and dancing and twirling to the music. Then I looked over at the view of D.C. and noticed a father with his young son on his shoulders, dancing. They ended the performance with The Battle Hymn of the Republic. It was uplifting. It was faith promoting. It was America at its best.


Public Service Announcement # 33: If you'd like to enjoy a concert please click here: http://www.ehow.com/how_2027023_enjoy-concert-dc.html

Uncanny

A friend of ours told Dan that he looks like a koala bear. What do you think?

Comments are appreciated.

Public Service Announcment # 32: If you'd like to know more about how to identify a koala bear click here: http://www.ehow.com/how_2067706_identify-koala.html

100 hours

I'd like to take a moment and celebrate my 100th hour of supervision. In my chosen field, social work, one must obtain 100 hours of face to face supervision and work for two years to be eligible for licensure. I am now officially eligible for licensure!!! Many scoffers have stated "oh, you aren't licensed? I can't believe that I took your advice." Rest assured that the guidance and love I have given have not been from a text book or from hours of supervision but from wisdom.

To celebrate we went for dessert at the Metro 29 Diner in Arlington. It was a bit of a disaster. Tina's cheesecake had large amounts of mold, Derek found a hair on his plate, and Kaylyn's eclair was frozen. However, there were many laughs and well wishes for me.

I am heading for the top. I am kind of a big deal. I am legit.

For those of you that don't get my humor: this video is sarcastic. It is supposed to be ridiculous.

Public Service Announcement # 31: If you'd like to enter the world of mental health therapy click here: http://www.ehow.com/how_2073567_become-psychotherapist.html

This is America

Matt, Ashley, Jenell, Michael, Mandy, Kaylyn, Bessey

On Saturday, a group of friends and I drove out to the Montgomery County Fair for a demolition derby. I had never been to such a cultural event. I deeply enjoyed the crashing cars, burning fires, and the smells of burnt rubber and metal. Following the adage, when in Rome, a few of us decided to dress up to assimilate to the cultural environment. Jenell dressed in all denim and cowgirl boots. Michael wore jorts, a "Bad to the Bone" t-shirt, and a bandanna ---well done. I wore a Butte wrestling t-shirt, jeans, and high heels.... so classy. Bessey looked as if he just moved from Idaho with his jeans, boots, cowboy shirt, and bright orange hat. I educated my friends about the culture with a few of my own stories about growing up in the country: a popular story was how I was born in a car after my parents left a cattle sale.....true story.

Public Service Announcement # 30: For more info on how to dress for a demolition derby click here: http://www.ehow.com/how_2058294_throw-white-trash-bash.html

My Favorite Books

Today it was raining and I could not help but wish that I were home with a good book and comfy blanket. I will always make time for reading in my life. I derive so much pleasure from it.

One of my most defining characteristics is the fact that I see myself as a work in progress. I enjoy finding my many weaknesses and getting to work on making myself a better person. I began thinking about the books that have made the most impact on my life. They are books that have aided in my process of growth and change. Here is a small sampling:

• The standard works: The Book of Mormon, Bible, and the Doctrine of Covenants. I started reading these when I was an early teen and they have taught me more about life and the human condition than any other book or psychological theory.
  
• Forgiveness: a bold choice for a peaceful heart by Robin Casarjian. This book taught me how to have a forgiving heart and nature.


• Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom taught me about the life cycle and the wisdom that comes with experience.


• Morning Sun on a White Piano by Robin Meyers discusses getting back to a more simple and happy way of life.


• Feeling Good by David Burns is the principle model that I use in therapy.


• The Peacegivers by James L. Ferrell discusses how to be a peacemaker.


• A Heart Like His by Virginia H. Pearce helps me to continually try to feel the Lord's love and share love with those around me.


• The Broken Heart by Bruce C. Hafen is the first book to help me look closer to the atonement of Jesus Christ.


• A Perfect Balance by Spencer Condie. This book goes right along with my 2007 goal - trying to find balance in all things.


• Bonds That Make us Free: Healing our Relationships, Coming to Ourselves by C. Terry Warner. I use this on a daily basis with my clients and with my personal relationships. It taught me how to look at the bigger picture and to communicate more effectively.


• The Life of Pi by Yann Martel. I believe it is a beautiful story about how we can create our own reality (I am not talking about delusions or hallucinations) if the true reality is unpleasant.


• My journal: oh the fascinating lessons I have learned from it. Nice Poem.
  
  

I would love your comments and suggestions if you think you know of a book that I would enjoy!!

Public Service Announcement #29:If you need help on learning to love reading click here: http://www.wikihow.com/Love-Reading

I asked for my mom's advice and she sent me a forward....

I love my mother. We talk almost everyday about the things going on in our lives. She is the most kind, patient, and loving woman I know. Both of my parents have always been amazing at believing in me and trusting my judgement. Whenever I go to my mother looking for advice, she usually listens to me and then makes a statement like, "I know that you will do the right thing" or "Mandy, you'd know better than I would." We have joked about this between the two of us. Well, I asked for advice on dating, relationships, and friendships. She said "Oh, I have some advice for you!" I thought, "Wow!!! My mom is going to give me advice this time" so I was prepping myself for this event. Then she said, "Let me look it up on my email. Awww.... here it is. I will forward it to you." Yes, that is right.... her advice was a mass forward.

I have shared this advice with a few of you. Mary loves the advice. Dan and I are starting to better appreciate the advice. I hope that it can be exactly what each of you need.

So here it is ....... straight from Tina Jensen's heart to your heart. And yes, #4 is for all of you.

Read Each One Carefully and Think About It a Second or Two
1. I love you not because of who you are, but because of who I am when I am with you..

2. No man or woman is worth your tears, and the one who is, won't make you cry.

3. Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

4. A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.

5. The worst way to miss someone is to be sitting right beside them knowing you can't have them.

6. Never frown, even when you are sad, because you never know who is falling in love with your smile.

7. To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.

8. Don't waste your time on a man / woman, who isn't willing to waste their time on you.

9. Maybe God wants us to meet a few wrong people before meeting the right one, so that when we finally meet the person, we will know how to be grateful.

10. Don't cry because it is over, smile because it happened

11. There's always going to be people that hurt you so what you have to do is keep on trusting and just be more careful about who you trust next time around.

12. Make yourself a better person and know who you are before you try to know someone else and expect them to know you.

13. Don't try so hard, the best things come when you least expect them to.

Public Service Announcement # 28: If you'd like to find more advice on relationships click here: http://www.ehow.com/how_2032932_relationship-advice-ehow.html

All D.C. Has to Offer

Joe plays the cow bell, Jenell smiles bright, Dan is confused,

Mary and Mandy give "Jazz hands."

This weekend Mary and Joe sent out an email invitation to go to "Dupont Circle and see what D.C. has to offer." With such an email, how could I pass it up? Apparently this is what D.C. has to offer:

1. Yummy Mexican food.
   
2. Awful service where the yummy Mexican food was eaten.
   
3. A convenient bookstore where you can buy a book to read and go to the bar without leaving the store. Crazy.
   
4. A jazz band that allows the spectators to get into the groove by playing along with sticks, cow bells, and drums.
   
5. A dancer that gave all the moves she had without inhibition and with complete happiness. She said that her name was Stage Lights. I swear.
   
6. The ice cream Nazi. They are rude to you if you do not know what you want. And... the ice cream was not even that good.

I am amazed by Frank's skills at playing sticks.

Joe and his new friend play the cow bell

Dan and Jenell let loose

The one, the only...Stage Lights

I wish that this clip was the right side up but I was unable to get it that way. This is worth cranking your neck.

Mary and Dave: spread it.

Public Service Announcement # 27: If you'd like to go to a jazz concert click here: http://www.ehow.com/how_2027301_enjoy-jazz-concert.html

Niffer

The last day of my California/Vegas trip was spent alone with Jen(niffer). She hates her childhood nickname of Niffer but I love it!!! It was a perfect day with Jen. We first went to Inta Juice. When Jen was a teenager, her family started a small smoothie business in Colorado. It has done remarkably well and is now a franchise. At the beginning of the year, her and Rob decided to open their own franchise. I think Rob was most excited about being able to get to know Randy Moss, a pro football player that has now bought a portion of the company. I love Inta Juice!!! While in college, we would drive 6 hours to Fort Collins, CO in excitement for Inta Juice. Jen is so adorable that she actually froze smoothies for us and brought them to California. I had "sunshine passion" -- who doesn't want a little bit sunshine and a little bit of passion?

After the Inta Juice run, we went to Lake Las Vegas and walked around the shops and had our own little photo shoot. Then we were off to a little shopping at Ann Taylor Loft, where I bought some adorable shoes for $3.66 and a beauty sleep mask for the red eye flight that I took that night!!! Then we went back to Jen's very beautiful home and watched Elizabethtown....which has now become one of our favorite movies. Jen - you are wonderful!!!

Jen at Inta Juice

I look like I could do an ad for Inta Juice.

Photo shoot at Lake Las Vegas

Public Service Announcement # 26 : If you would like to make a smoothie click here: http://www.ehow.com/how_2000709_make-smoothie.html

On the Lake

Leah, Jon, Jen, Rob, Logan, and I spent some time in Leah's hometown of Crestline, CA. I have always loved to go to Leah's families house because it is nestled in the mountains, there are streets that shoot off everywhere and go to who knows where, and there are beautiful lakes. We went to Silverwood Lake and played in the water. Believe it or not, this was my first time to ride a sea-doo. I was nervous at first but then soon learned to love it!!! I was thrilled to go really fast and jump the waves! I have finally decided my answer to the age old question: where would you rather live on a lake or on the ocean. I have decided a lake. It is so peaceful and full of fun and there are no sharks or dolphins. Sign me up. I already miss you guys.

Public Service Announcement # 25: If you are looking to play a fun game at a lake, look what I found: http://www.wikihow.com/Play-Free-Willie-at-the-Lake

Dearest Friends

The Crew: Me, Jen, Rob, Jon, Leah

I am sure that you all have heard about my dearest friends: Leah, Jon, Jen, and Rob. I talk non-stop about them: how perfect they are, how beautiful they are, and how I want to be just like them. Leah, Jon, and Jen and I were all friends at BYU. Then we were lucky to gain Rob when he married our wonderful Jen. This past weekend I took a long weekend and flew out to see them. Leah and Jon live in Texas with their precious angel, Logan. Jen and Rob live in Las Vegas. We decided to meet in California. We had a great time laughing about our many memories. However, what makes these friends so special is that even though we have not all been together for a year and a half, it seems like no time has passed. We are able to start right where we left. This is great because it means being able to have in-depth life and gospel discussions. I love their wonderful insights.

It was fun being the only single person in the group (other than Logan!) I liked to stand back at times and notice how my friends are changing. We are all in different parts of our lives and it is fascinating to see how each is moving into a different part of their lives. I watched as Leah and Jon take on the new role of parents and how that affects who they are. They are still themselves but everything revolves around Logan. I also enjoyed being with Jen and Rob as they are forming their marriage. Thanks to all of them for giving me advise and letting me ask endless questions. Heaven knows I need the help!

The first day we spent together was at Huntington Beach. We enjoyed playing with Logan, reading, and talking about our lives. That night we went to a great Italian restaurant where they serve five course meals. We ate so much food -- in fact, I gained 5 lbs. that night!

Public Service Announcement # 24: If you'd like to maintain old friendships click here: http://www.wikihow.com/Maintain-Old-Friendships