Post 104 in 2014

We did it!!! I made my goal of posting 104 blog posts in 2014!!
So that means I posted 100 times in 2010, 101 times in 2011, 102 times 2012, 103 times in 2013, and (drum roll please...) 104 times in 2014. Hooray!!!!
As you can tell from this picture, Millie, Fiona, and Lesley are all really happy for me and my progress on Art History Alli. I am fully aware I'm the only one that reads my blog but I post for myself more than for any potential readers.
All I have left to say is, "Bring it on, 2015!! I am expecting the unexpected from you."

Happy New Year!!!

Cheers!!

Ready for Bed

Millie and Fiona are ready for bed time.

Last Meal of 2014

I learned how to cook almost a whole weeks worth of meals this year. My favorite dish to make and eat is corn chowder. It's awesome!!! We had left over ham from Sunday dinner so we used it instead of bacon tonight. It is delicious.
It is way fun to end the year in my jammies, eating my favorite soup, and watching Doctor Who Christmas Special. Farewell 2014!!!

100th post of 2014!!

Only 4 more posts to go until I hit my goal of 104 posts in 2014!!!!!

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Highlights of 2014

1. Baby Cate was born
2. I turned 30
3. I went to Hawaii
4. #afternoonswithauntiealli
5. Being with my family in Walt Disney World

It has been a good year!!

My Favorite Album of the Year (and maybe ever)

Lesley bought me this as a Christmas gift and we are obsessed!! Our favorite songs are "Wildest Dreams" and "Style" but the entire album is amazing and worth the hype!!

The Last Peppermint Milk Shakes of the Season

9 posts to go

9 posts in 2 days--- Let's Do This!!

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PS:

I am NOT making resolutions this year. Goals are for losers! Just Kidding :)

Change 2014

I didn't do any of my new year resolutions this year (except I'm almost close to keeping my goal of posting 104 blog posts in 2014); I didn't read 12 books, nor was I a vegetarian for a month. I did read some management books like From Good to Great, The Nordstrom Way of Doing Business, Crucial Conversations, and the Perfect Phrase book. My favorite management book that I read this years is Who Moved My Cheese. It has been out for a while and I have seen it sitting in the library at my parents house but I never actually read it until this past Spring.
I was an hour early to work and I had been carrying around this book just waiting for a time when I could read it. For those of you that have not read it, it is basically about change and the different ways people handle it. There is the person who chases after change, the one who sits there and refuses to recognize that change has happened, the one who wants to change but doesn't know how, and the who reluctantly changes because what they are doing now is not working. I think most people fall into the last category. I want to be someone who chased after change because we learned grow so much from change.
This year has been a year of change for me professionally. Actually the past two years have been full of change. I changed my career, I got promoted, I got several new managers, I got to travel, I got mono, I got a new job, etc... and I have never been happier.
Mono has been a catalyst of change for me. I physically could not continue on in my physically demanding job so I changed jobs (yay for promotions!!!). I had to drink more water since juice and soda pop burned my throat and now I no longer drink soda every day. I had to realize that it is okay to say no and to limit myself so I could recuperate. Now granted, I never took a sick day and worked 40-50 hours a week the entire time I felt ill and all I really wanted to do was lay on the couch and sleep, or lay in my car and sleep, or at the dinner table and sleep (I'm seeing a pattern here). What I'm trying to say is change is scary but it has brought so much good in to my life. I want to be a person that is ready for change and is willing to chase after my "cheese" or motivation.
Here is to more change in 2015!!

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Uno

Now that the nieces and nephews are getting a little older, we have been playing Uno nearly non-stop at the cabin. They are so fun to play with!! Aaron is a strategic player who wins all the time. We keep playing until everyone goes out so one time, Aaron got "out" first and we kept playing for so long that we forgot Aaron had even played at all!! We then proceeded to tease Aaron that he didn't play that hand because none of us could remember him playing. The more we teased, the more upset he got, and the more we kept laughing. Kids make everything more fun!!!

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13

Only 13 more posts to go until I reach my goal of 104 posts in 2014!!!
Well now after this post it will only be 12 more :)

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Our Nativity Cast 2014

Happy Boxing Day!!

> Sometimes (almost all of the time) I wish I was England especially on Boxing Day, aka the day after Christmas. I would love to hit the after Christmas offers and have a extra day of vacation. Sigh... Maybe one day I'll get to experience a true Boxing Day.
>
> Sent from my iPhone

The Invisible Bench

Christmas Eve Dinner 2014

Merry Christmas 2014!!!

Happy Blogmas Day 25!!

We made it to Christmas Day!! We literally spent all day in our new jammies and watched movies like Harry Potter and Christmas Vacation. It was so great!!!

Happy Blogmas Day 24!!

It's Christmas Eve!!! We are so happy to be at the cabin!!!

Christmas Movies

A local theater has been playing Christmas movies for $1 a ticket. So far, we have seen Elf, Home Alone, and now tonight we are seeing A Christmas Story. It is so fun to watch these classic movies in a theater!!

Happy Blogmas Day 23!!!

It's Christmas Eve Eve!!!! Only 2 days until Christmas!!!!!!!

Proof

One of my favorite scenes in a Christmas movie!!

Happy Blogmas Day 22!!!

24

Only 24 more posts to go until I reach my goal of 104 blog posts in 2014!!!

Cate

Catherine turned 10 months old yesterday. She has had really bad "stranger danger" and always cries when anyone tried to hold her but today... she actually let Lesley and I hold her. Yay!!!!! This little girl is such a joy and I can already tell she has a great sense of humor. I'm such a lucky Auntie!!!!

Blogmas Day 21

4 days to Christmas!!! Are you ready?!!

New Phone

Lesley and I finally made the leap to a new phone plan. We have been with AT&T since 2001 and still paying the price of the original iPhone plan from 2007 (which was highway robbery of a monopoly). Now we are paying a much better rate and we both got new phones- yay!!!! Unfortunately, our old plan was canceled on Monday and our new phones did not arrive until Friday so we had a nice 5 days being phone less and Internet free. It was hard. Our new phones were very much worth the wait- I'm in love with my iPhone 6 Plus!! The screen is awesome and clear and big. The camera is sharp and has really fun tools (can you say slow-mo?!).
I have to thank my big brother for encouraging me and looking up plans for me, and today spending 2 hours helping me set up my new phone. I have the BEST brother ever!!!
This picture is Lesley with her new phone. She hasn't had a new phone in 5 years. Look at how happy she is!!

Happy Blogmas Day 20!!

It's hard to believe that Christmas is only 5 days away. This season has flown by (but that's probably because I'm not working retail this year, hooray!!!)!!!!!

Happy Blogmas day 15!!

10 days to Christmas!!

Blogmas Day 14!!

Company Christmas Party

Happy 12/13/14!!! Today was our company Christmas party and it was even better than anticipated (which is hard because my expectations were very high compared to the previous 2 years of VRx Christmas parties)! The food was amazing, the atmosphere was charming, and seeing all of my coworkers in a party setting was really fun.
> I love working for this fantastic company and I love how gracious our leaders are. They are always telling us how much they appreciate us and value our hard work which only makes us want to work even harder.
> What's even better is that I get to share these parties with my family since 3 of the 6 of us work for the same company. There is no one I'd like to eat a buffet with than Vickie and Cameron!
>
>

Happy Blogmas Day 13

#sharethegift

I already enjoy The Piano Guys but add in David Archuleta, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and Christmas and it's a slice of heaven. #heisthegift #sharethegift

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/PrLoWt2tfqg


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Happy Blogmas Day 12

We had such a great time at our lovely ward Christmas party, my last in a LDS singles ward. We had a yummy catered dinner at the Old Meeting House and I can easily say this is the best ward Christmas party I've ever been to. It was really great. Merry Christmas!!

Last day in Hawaii 2014

Day 8: Saturday, May 10, 2014

We got up around 8 and went to the pool for a few trips down the water slides and tour the lazy river. We had to check-out at 11 (sad face) so we took our bags to the car and went back to the swap meet at Aloha Stadium to get some last minute souvenirs and yo see if I could find the earrings that I lost at the secret beach. I am happy yo say I did find them but a lighter shade of coral and I got 3 more pairs to go with them. We also all bought candies fir our co-workers. 

We then went to Ramen Ya and got big bowls of Japanese ramen which is totally different than the top ramen I get at the store for like 50 cents. It was hot, filling, and delicious. 

We filled the rental car with gas at Costco and then headed back to Aulani. Since we still had our pool passes, we could use them and the resort for the rest of the day and they even have a special lounge where you can shower and get ready for your flight- Disney really thinks of everything. 

We decided to do the Menehune Adventure Trail which is like a magical scavenger hunt. We had a special iPad that gave us clues and took us all around the resort and made cool stuff happen, like a waterfall in the pool, or rocks turning into the island chain that is Hawaii. It took a few hours but we really fun. We then lounged by the pool, got one last shave ice (Haupia, Guava, Mango... Yum!!), went to the lounge, then headed to the airport around 8, with a brief stop at the ABC Store for a late night snack for the plane. 

Our flight was set to leave at 10 and we got there in plenty of time. It was an uncomfortable but oddly quick 5 hours to LAX. We had a very short layover and we got home to SLC at 10:30 am on Mother's Day.

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Hawaii, Last Day

Hawaii, Day 7

Day 7: Friday, May 9, 2014

Today was our last full day in Hawaii- sad face. But I kept thinking: don't frown because it's over, smile that it happened.

I got up early and was the first person to get a wristband for the pool. Then I took a walk around the lagoon to get some great early morning pictures of the beach and Aulani. Les and Val met me at the lazy river around 9 and then we swam, rode water slides, swam, napped, went to a pool party with Mikey, Minnie, and Goofy, and swam some more. I tried their shave ice one more time and was very specific about what/how I wanted it and it was much better, not Matsumoto's or Waiola good but much better than it was before. 

We got back to the room around 3:30 and we all got ready to go to the Paradise Cove Luau. This was a highlight of the trip for me. The luau was just down the road from Aulani so we walked there and got there just in time for the doors to open at 5 pm. They had stations where you could make lei bracelets, flower/banana leaf crowns and bracelets, get a Polynesian tattoo, play games, and throw spears. Spear throwing was a lot harder than it looked but I was able to hit the target on my first try (even most of the men couldn't do it) and Cam hit the bullseye on his first throw but it bounced off. He stuck the bullseye on his second try and Vickie got the whole thing on video- yay Cameron!!! We took a canoe ride too and took pictures of the only sunset we saw in Hawaii. Our tickets came with two free cocktails but they had several non-alcoholic drinks available- the best being Piña Coladas. So delicious!!! 

The dinner buffet started at 7 and it was delicious. I actually ate some fish (still don't like it but I keep trying), but the kalua pork was super flavorful and the fried chicken was crispy. Desserts were almost gone by the time I got to it but the chocolate cake actually tasted like chocolate and I really enjoyed the vanilla and chocolate pudding. The Haupia could've tasted more like coconut but it was still alright. 

After dinner there was this great hula show even though I couldn't see very well with this giant man sitting down the table who blocked my view. They even threw in some Samoan fire knife throwing and Tahitian drum dancing. It was a really fun show.

We walked back to Aulani and I promptly got ready for bed and fell right asleep and forgot to journal so I am writing this the very next morning, right when I woke up at 8 AM

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Hawaii, Day 6

Day 6: Thursday, May 8, 2014

Today was a busy day. We woke up around 7, went to the pool around 8, came back to the room at 10 and we were out the door to Pearl Harbor at 11. We got a wee bit lost but got there in the perfect time for our reserved tour at 12:30 (Mahalo Vickie!!). This was my second visit to the USS Arizona Memorial and it still a powerful monument; I nearly cried three times. I wonder how the Japanese see the event of Pearl Harbor: tragedy or victory? There were a lot of Japanese tourist smiling and taking pictures. 

While I was looking at all the names in the Shrine Room, a woman leaned over to me and said something about the needless loss of life and that got me thinking about how much loss war brings. Sure, the over 1,000 men that died in the Arizona is tragic but that is just a small percentage of all the soldiers that died in WWII and then think about all the men and women that have died in all modern wars (WWI, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan) - it's all tragic and yet wars will always happen.

Then we headed over to Diamond Head State Park and we hiked to the summit of the crater. It was tough but not impossible- the reviews on the internet said it was an advanced hike but I guess since we come from the hiking Capitol of the world it was actually quite enjoyable. The trail is concrete most of the way and there is a few stairs but not a 1/2 a mile staircase like one review said. You have to remember that reviews are just one person's opinion and experience. The top gave us a gorgeous panoramic view of Honolulu and Waikiki Beach. The hike took us a little under 2 hours but we spent a lot of time at the summit.

After the hike, I googled "shave ice Honolulu" avid we found Wailoa Shave Ice. It was perfectly priced, variety of sizes, great texture, and the flavors were house made. Love it!!

We got back to the hotel around 7 and went to the Starlit Huey Hula Show. We could've seen the show from our own balcony but we decided to go down and sit an a mat and watch the show with everyone else. If was fun. There was a brief dance party that brought back major vibes of DCL Deck Parties!! 

Then we went back to the ABC Store across the street and got dinner and picked up a few items for breakfast/lunch for tomorrow. 

This is the latest I've stayed up this whole trip. It is 11:07 pm here which means it is 3 AM back home (almost time for me or wake up for work at 4:30!!). I'm gonna be hurting Monday morning when I go back to work- agh--

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Hawaii, Day 5

Day 5: Wednesday, May 7, 2014

We stayed all day at Aulani. This part of the island is totally a different ecosystem than the North Shore. It is much dryer, the mountains are brown and not lush covered, and even the air has less humidity. 

We started the day early by going to Sunrise Yoga on the beach at 7 am. The beginning and the end of the class were great but the middle part got a little to advanced for a total novice. It was still fun and an energizing way to start the day.

After the hour yoga class, I went and got a wrist band for the pool. Each day you have to get a new color wrist band which is Aulani's way of making sure only guest of the resort use the pool. There are 3 different hotels and a whole community of condos that share Ko'Olina and they are all surprisingly close together. 

We spent ALL day, from 8 AM to 5 PM at the pool and beach. Les and I took a hula class during the 11 o'clock hour while the rest of the Dawsons went snorkeling at Rainbow Reef. I got a shave ice (for $3.75!!) and it was easily the worst one I have ever had, and I've had a lot in my life!! Maybe it's b/c I was so looking forward to shave ice and we just had Mosumotos a few days ago, but this was the same price as them but the quality so different. All the food here is super expensive and it is so easy to just go across the street for much better prices.

We all showered and the walked across the street for dinner at Island Market (an ABC Store) where they have souvenirs, groceries, a deli, and a grill. It was very delicious and interesting; we'll go back. There was a whole bunch of restaurants, cafés, and shops. It is the perfect spot for retail to service all theses guests of the 3 resorts and all the condos.

We came back to the hotel and listened to a Hawaiian storyteller around a fire pit. I love listening to stories. The Ancient Hawaiians had an oral tradition and language so storytelling, song, and hula were ways that they recorded/passed down their history. 

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Hawaii, Day 4

Day 4: Tuesday, May 6, 2014

We spent most of our day at Kualoha Ranch where we took the ranch and film set tour and saw where they filmed scenes from Jurassic Park, 50 First Dates, and the TV show Lost. We drove in a windowless bus through the most gorgeous, untouched landscape. Then we went to a "Secret Island" and played on the beach all afternoon. We went kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling, and simply laid in a hammock. It was blissful but not my favorite beach, well not like the beautiful, pristine beach we went to yesterday. Then we took the trip across the island to Aulani. The traffic was awful and we were hungry so we decided to stop for dinner hoping the traffic would thin out by the time we were done. We stopped at a strip-mall when I saw a Thai restaurant (Thai food is one of my favorites). In the same strip-mall was a traditional Hawaiian diner so Les, Val, and Cam got food there, Vickie went to the Subway in the same strip-mall, and I got spicy yellow curry with chicken. It was HOT but delicious nonetheless. The was a shop called "Sweet Temptations" so we naturally had to stop in :) we got some shave ice (good but not great) but then realized half the store was a casino!! It had slot machines and other "games" that first made it look like an arcade but then I saw the sign "no one under 21 allowed to play games". Oh the fun things you discover on vacation, right?

We got to Aulani around 6:30/6:45 pm. We did self-parking and walked our luggage to the lobby. We were greeted with gorgeous, fragrant leis and fruit infused water. It was Devine!!! I felt a little out of place walking in to this stunning hotel with such a wonderful welcome in my grubby beach clothes and bandana wrapped head. This greeting really needed a better outfit! Lol

We got to our room at 7 pm on the dot and we watched the sun set from our partial ocean view balcony. This room is spectacular!! Les and I are sleeping on the pull-out couch which is quite comfy (I'm laying on it as I write this post), and the other Dawsons are in the bed. It's a tight fit for all 5 of us but it's still really nice. So much of this place, so far, reminds me DCL in that there is a daily newsletter formatted very similarly to the DCL, and the bathroom products are the same as DCL but with Aulani packaging. If Aulani was all-inclusive, I bet it would be just like a cruise except you're on land. 

I took a shower ( so good!! ) and got in my jammies while everyone else went to the pool- I am just too exhausted and could barely keep my eyes open to unpack. 

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Hawaii, Day 3

Day 3: Monday, May 5, 2014

If yesterday was the "S" day, then today is the "P" day. We got Pancakes at Papa Ole's, went to the Polynesian Cultural Center (better known as the PCC), ate Pork and Poi at a luau, and had Perfect seats (2nd row!!!) for the show "Ha, Breath of Life". It was a busy but wonderful day! Les, Val, and I got a mini beach break Kokololio Beach Park after Papa Ole's when Cam and Vickie had to go back to our condo to get the tickets for the PCC. The beach was practically empty and we had a great time taking pictures. We weren't prepared for a beach trip so we could only get our feet in the water even though this was the most perfect beach I have ever been to, EVER. 

I love the PCC- there is just such a great spirit in the place and in the people. My favorite "islands" we visited were Hawaii where we learned about the history of hula and Tahiti where we saw a traditional marriage ceremony. It was sweet when they had the couples in the audience re-new their vows and Cam and Vickie did it. Awe... 

Sadly, Lesley lost her trusted fan at the PCC. It was a cheap orange floral one with lace trim that I brought back from the Philipeans in 2006. I still can't believe she has had it, and used it, for 7 years. We went to the lost and found and it wasn't there but she was able to leave an address so they might find it and send it to her. 

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Happy Blogmas, Day 11

I love the lights on Temple Square!!

Hawaii, Day 2

Day 2: Sunday, May 4, 2014

May the Fourth Be With You!! Today was brought to you by the letter "S": 

Swap meet!! We first went to the swap meet at Aloha Stadium. We got there around 8:20 AM and didn't leave until 11. It was a big circle of booths that surrounded the stadium and each booth had something different to offer. I went in looking for earrings (shell or coral) and I've been curious of traditional Hawaiian quilting since I saw classes at Mormon Handicraft when I worked at Repartee. I am happy to say I found both- yay!! Lesley found an adorable mumu which works great as a nightgown.

Shopping!! Then we went to Target- Valie needed a decongestant.

Surfing!! Then we went back to the condo to change then we headed to Heliwea for Val, Cam, and Vickie's surf lesson. Lesley and I stayed on the beach and tried to take pictures of them surfing. We all had a lot of fun. 

Shave Ice!! After the afternoon at the beach, we went to Matsumoto's for the best shave ice in the world. It is SO delicious!!! I got a small strawberry, pineapple, coconut with ice cream on the bottom. 

Shrimp Scampi!! After we finished our awesome shave ice, we headed south toward Laie and went to Giovanni's Shrimp Shack. Yum!!!! We came here when we last came in 2002 and was a cherish memory. It was just as good this time too. Lesley and I shared shrimp scampi and lemon butter. Scampi is the best but I truly enjoyed the lemon butter. 

Swimming!! When we got back to the condo, Valerie really wanted to go to the pool and try out her new snorkel gear so we headed to the pool by our condo. It was a great way to end the day!! 

Now we're all in our jammies and watching the Avengers while we upload the pictures to our iPads and update Facebook and Instagram. 

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