Matchy matchy

I'm currently moving (From South Provo to North Orem) and have been crazy busy with everything related to that, as well as throwing my sister's bridal shower and starting my own official Zumba class...on top of every day normal life. Oh what fun. 

I haven't completely moved out of my current place but also don't have a bed and such at my new place. So to go along with the theme of not being somewhere I exactly belong, I decided to go with my sister to her ward today. (It may have helped that her ward was at 1 p.m. as compared to my old ward's 10 a.m. and my new ward's 9 a.m. and that I was utterly exhausted from everything going on.)

So it's Sunday morning. I'm dressed, have makeup on, and am ready to go.

At about 12:30 I started loading my car with the dozens of items Susie left at my house after her bridal shower. Ice cube trays. Check. Teapot. Check. Storage container. Check...the list continued until I had everything, and I headed to Susie's.

I honk when I pull up and get out and go around my car to pull out some of the things I need Susie to take back. I hear Susie open the door and after a brief pause hear her busting out laughing saying, "You're kidding me."

I look up and after everything registers, I start laughing too. "Are you serious?"

Susie goes back inside and brings out her roommate. We all continue laughing for another 5 minutes straight.

Susie and I are wearing the exact same dress.

We actually purchased the dress at the same time from Nordstrom's Rack last fall. It was on clearance for like 8 bucks, and we both loved it. It wasn't an issue that we'd have the same dress because we don't live together and how often would it happen that we'd both be wearing a dress and be together.

And then 8 months later...

After our laughing calmed down, I explain how this dress is the only dress I hadn't packed and moved already. Susie explains how she was talking to Taylor (her fiance) and he suggested she wear that particular dress.

Susie asks, "Should I change?"

Hey, we are going to Susie's ward where I don't know anyone and it is also Susie's last week attending that ward.

"I really don't care either way."

Susie: "Hmm...yea I'll just wear it."

And thus begins the many comments, questions, and strange looks.

"So did you guys know you match?"

"Oh cute you guys match!"

"Did you plan this?"

As a couple girls were leaving church we heard one ask, "Are they twins?"

We went to my aunt's house for dinner we walk in and she looks at us...before she can say anything we say, "We didn't plan this." She doesn't believe it but thinks the story is hilarious.

We kinda had a blast with it as well...even though "matching" is something neither of us usually embrace.

Starting my own business...

I talked for YEARS about how I want to start my own business. I love tons of things related to entrepreneurship and the idea of starting something and having whatever happens be entirely dependent on me and my efforts. It's exciting, challenging, motivating.

And it's happening.

But in an entirely different direction than previously planned.

My dreams for HS2College or AnneSali Communications are still present (although on pause). However, my career as a Zumba Fitness instructor is approaching it's initial takeoff.

This Tuesday--Aug. 2--I am starting teaching Zumba classes at the lovely Heart N Soul dance studio in Spanish Fork. I rent the studio space, do whatever I can to get people to attend, and get all proceeds after my rental cost, Zumba Instructor Network fees, and other marketing/clothing costs.

This is the kind of thing that excites me. The unknown. The possibility of failure. The hope for success.

So if you happen to be free Tuesday at 8 p.m., stop by my class. Or think of me if you hear of other opportunities or need a Zumba instructor for a special event or whatever.

Oh, and "Like" my Facebook page. I'd love your support!!

My love for Taylor Swift stems from these beloved chats from '07

Today I was sharing some songs with my sister Susie before I dropped her off at her house. Usually when I do this I feel that she is kinda amusing me and doesn't really care to listen to these songs that I love. But when we got to Susie's home, she wanted to sit in the car and asked to listen to other songs.

Really? She was interested in something I liked and could share??

So I continued to play various Taylor Swift songs, including Ours, Jump then Fall, and her most recent single, the Story of Us.

"Wow, I'm actually starting to like her," Susie says.

This simple comment made me start thinking about who first sparked MY love for Ms. Swift. I asked Susie to guess who that special person was.

"Julie?"

"Ruthie?"

No, it wasn't anyone in our family...Think high school.

"Alyssa?" "Marisa?"

Nope...and it wasn't a girl.

"Jared????"

I give her that look that says "Really? He's even a guess??"

"Paul?"

Yep!

So after Susie and I parted, I headed home and searched my Gmail account to bring back some memories about where my true interest in Taylor Swift started. Lucky for me, my chat and e-mail history is FULL of mentions of her. Haha, here are some excerpts I found most interesting...(Hopefully Paul doesn't mind my sharing..if he happens to see this post :P)

Paul: taylor swift's music never seems to get old
me: ha well good
8:58 AM Paul: yep.... i can't wait until her next album comes out.... but then again, it is possible that her style will change and i won't like it.... but there's no use in worrying about that

10:11 PM me: is mary's song taylor?
10:12 PM Paul: yep
me: i like it
its cute
Paul: i like that one two
one of my favorite parts is when she dares him to kiss her and then runs away

Paul: do you like the new one i sent you?
10:58 PM me: stay beautiful
Paul: yep
me: ahh i havent listened
10:59 PM i like it
these are all good
11:00 PM Paul: taylor must be gifted or something
11:01 PM me: something like that

These first couple just show the songs being mentioned and me listening to some for the first time. Reading over these chats remind me of the thing I LOVE about sharing music interests with friends: Analyzing each song, discussing lyrics, ranking songs in order of liking, and all that. It's fun and I love it. Thank you Paul for that.

9:01 AM Paul: i was just out helping my brother's father-in-law... and he's really into country music
he told me some stuff about taylor swift
9:02 AM he said that there's an elite group that gives an award each year for song writers, and this last time they did it they gave it to both alan jackson and taylor swift
me: woaah
Paul: he also said that out of the top 25 country christmas songs, taylor swift has 5 of her 6 songs there, including the number one place
9:03 AM me: she has christmas songs
?
Paul: yep
9:04 AM i thought you were the one that told me she had some good christmas stuff
me: really.....hmmmm
9:06 AM Paul: i enjoy most of her christmas songs
she has two original ones i believe
9:08 AM me: wow cool
9:10 AM Paul: i wonder how long it will be until taylor comes out with another cd
9:11 AM i can't wait
me: ::whispers:: obsessed....obsessed...

I don't think I could currently call anyone else obsessed. It would simply be too hypocritical.

3:37 PM Paul: are you talking about taylor swift?
3:38 PM me: yeaaaaa
i like her christmas stuff
Paul: yeah, it's pretty good
it just sucks you in, doesn't it?
me: lol yeaaa
3:39 PM Paul: i'm sorry.... i feel like maybe i have created a monster
me: noo im not quite as bad as you

"I'm not quite as bad as you" ??? Apparently that did not last.

5:40 PM Paul: which of her christmas songs is your favorite?
5:42 PM me: i dont know yet
yours?
5:43 PM Paul: well, my initial favorite i think was santa baby.... just because the attitude of the song
but now, i'm not too sure.... i haven't listened to these songs nearly as much as i have her regular album
5:44 PM me: well you have one month left
Paul: that's true
i think i might like christmas must be something more
5:46 PM me: thats what im listening to right now!
6:55 PM me: ok my favorite taylor swift christmas song - silent night
6:56 PM Paul: that's a good pick

That version of Taylor Swift is still my favorite of her Christmas songs and possibly one of my favorite of all Christmas songs. Check it out here.

Reading this all was a fun trip down memory lane for me. I'm also really excited to go to my first Taylor Swift concert this September. (I was supposed to go a couple years ago but got appendicitis the week before and had to sell my tickets...I was really sad.) So I've been working on t-shirt ideas for the big concert and created the following image out of my favorite lyrics. I'm not sure if it will work on a shirt but I love it anyways.

I have no patience.

Last night one of my favorite bands, Safetysuit, posted on Facebook that they would FINALLY announce the release date for their sophomore album.

SafetySuit
The release date for our new album titled "___________" will be announced tomorrow! Make sure you follow us on Twitter to be the first to know. http://www.twitter.com/safetys​uit

As of 4 p.m., they have yet to make the announcement. That facebook post as well as their lastest tweet just sit there haunting me every time I compulsively navigate to their pages to see if there have been any updates.

SafetySuit
Anyone know anybody announcing an album release date tomorrow? This guy does...;) Love always, Doug

I've joked with a few friends and other Safetysuit fans that their definition of "tomorrow" from yesterday's posts really means 11:59 p.m. Or perhaps the entire band died last night in a freak accident. Either way. I do not have the patience for this!

Every time I pull up the page and there is no announcement, I think "Arg. I hate you." I then close the page and continue to listen to their music.

#simpledelights on Twitter

I don't tweet nearly as often as I used to. But today, I got excited when I got this message in my inbox:

I LOVE getting "mentioned" on Twitter. I love it even more when it is one of my...idols. Is that too strong of a word? :P 

 It was simple. And grouped together with three other tweeters. But I loved it. Because I love Grammar Girl and in some small way, she acknowledged that I exist.

And this is all because of these two tweets I sent from my phone as I sat on my porch watching the amazing lightning and rain storm we were blessed with here in Provo. 

#simpledelights is right. Today has been a good day.

Sigh...Oh, Grammar Girl I Love You.

My morning routine includes checking my e-mail and social media accounts, perusing through special daily offers and (these days) checking for vacant apartment listings.

Today one thing particularly caught my attention:

And....I ended up pre-ordering this:

Grammar Girl's 101 Misused Words You'll Never Confuse Again

This book has been done before, but Grammar Girl is one of my favorite grammar/writing resources. One of my mentors when I worked with the LDS Church magazines recommended her to me and I have been addicted ever since. I love her light, to-the-point style and I've mentioned before that I want to use these resources in any future high school journalism class I teach or for articles in my future HS2College magazine.

She also has two other books coming out:

Grammar Girl's 101 Words Every High School Graduate Needs to Know (HELLO HS2COLLEGE, right??)

AND

Grammar Girl Presents the Ultimate Writing Guide for Students

I haven't quite jumped the gun on these two yet, but I'm close...

P.S. If I could BE Grammar Girl, I totally would. :)